"Born on Magnolia Plantation, John Drayton was the son of Thomas and Ann Drayton, a prominent colonial family in early South Carolina. He purchased Drayton Hall plantation in 1738, in the days when South Carolina (along with the rest of the country) was still a colony of Great Britain. In fact, the building is famous among scholars of architecture as the first fully executed example of the symmetrical, European Palladian style in America. Since then, the home has played an important role in practically every one of the region's historic events, from the Revolution to the Civil War to Reconstruction, making it an ideal—and stunningly beautiful—place to learn about South Carolina’s unique history, including the history of slavery. Today, the 350-acre property and painstakingly-restored house are open to the public, hosting tours of the house, lectures, and walks throughout the day. "
