Yemassee Revitalization - 2011 Plantation Tour

Happy Holidays from the 2011 Yemassee Plantation Tour

Patrons enjoyed lunch on the grounds at Richfield

Bonny Hall is home to horses and history

Yemassee's historic train station is still in use today

The Yemassee Revitalization Committee (YRC) remains on the right track as they continue toward their goal of a financially healthy community. With the renovation of the historic train depot nearly complete, revenue begins to shift towards upkeep and annual maintenance fees. The December 3 Holiday Tour showcased several plantations, the renovated train station and a home in the downtown area. The tour began with a trip to Tomotley Plantation which resides just off of the Old Sheldon Church Road in the historic planation belt. The oak avenue at Tomotley is unique in that it winds with the road as approaches the main house and guest quarters - the planing and planting of these oaks some 200 years ago shows great foresight regarding oak avenues and their aesthetic values. Lunch was served up at Richfield Plantation and tour patrons enjoyed fried fish and shrimp and grits on the front yard and grounds of Richfield. Sweet tea and sporting conversations helped to wash down the dessert course and prepare for yet another drive, this time down River Road to Bonny Hall Planation. Some might know Bonny Hall via their landmark pecan grove, but historians know that Bonny Hall was once a central piece to the rice planting culture of the Combahee River. The once-private ricefields are now part of the Combahee Unit of the ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge, and benefit waterfowl migration year after year. The grounds of Bonny Hall also offered a view of dog kennels, horse pastures, belted galloway cows and a three-story treehouse in a grand live oak! The Gatch house served as the 'Town' portion of the Yemassee Holiday Tour.

For past blog entries about the YRC click here.