Even the National Park Service calls Charles Pinckney a lost Founding Father. While he helped craft the Constitution, his name isn’t as well known as many of the other signers. His country plantation at Snee Farm has been preserved outside Charleston and is a beautiful place to visit. If you plan to explore any of the lowcountry plantations, definitely include the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site on your trip.
Address and location
You can find the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site at 1254 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. It’s about a 15 minute drive down US 17 from downtown Charleston and Fort Sumter, and you’ll see NPS signs directing you where to turn. The entrance to the site sits back along a shady road, so slow down or you’ll miss it.
Cost
The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site is free.
What to do
Depending on when you go and where you were before, you can either choose to tour the grounds or visit the house. The grounds offer lots of beautiful blooms and a glimpse of what life in colonial South Carolina was like. Pack bug spray! Be sure to walk down to the area where the slave quarters stood. Closer to the house, check out the rice dam and water well. You can also see where the original house foundation has been excavated.
While the actual house owned by Charles no longer exists, the current house was built on top of the original building. Inside, explore the rooms on the first floor. They have a lot of information about the Revolution and Charles Pinckney’s role in drafting the Constitution. You can also view several movies in the theater. The house is air conditioned, so take your time if you’re visiting during the summer.
South Carolina National Park Service Properties: Congaree National Park | Ninety Six National Historic Site | Kings Mountain National Military Park | Cowpens National Battlefield | Fort Sumter National Historic Site
