PENDLETON, SC-- Sort of an annual tradition for my youngest and I is to head out to nearby Pendleton for their annual open house for their local historical homes. Pendleton is located in the upstate of South Carolina about 45 minutes south of Greenville, and next door to infamous Clemson.
What made this a Christmas to remember is that the Upstate had snow! This far south, we don't see too much of the cold, wet, and white stuff on a regular basis. To my surprise, the Pendleton Historic Foundation held their open houses as planned. So Kudos to my friends in Pendleton.
I do appreciate that every year, Pendleton changes it up a bit. Last year, they featured the Poe House, the Sitton House, and three churches. Instead, this year, they featured the two belle's of Pendleton by opening both Woodburn and Astabula Plantations. Another new addition this year were refreshments and live entertainment. Alas, due to the snow, the musicians cancelled. But I did admire their enthusiasm to carry on, and I discovered Russian Tea as well.
Woodburn Plantation Historical Home was built in 1832 by SC Lieutenant Governor Charles Cotesworth Pinckney. This location was largely a family estate until the Pendleton Historic Foundation acquired them in the early 1960s. However, this was a summer home for the Pickney's since there was no air conditioning or heat back then. The rest of the the year, this prominent family lived in the low country near Charleston.
Seeing the interior, as a visitor, you can see very definite seams on the walls, especially in between rooms. This is a tell-tale sign of the history of the multiple residents during both world wars. The owners would "let" out the house for rent into many apartments to make ends meet. Also, the distinct feature of a door existing below a window to evade horrible taxation was prevalent during the time it was built till the turn of the last century. If it was below a window, it's not really a door, and thus, was exempt from additional taxation.
The time period for the homes is pre-civil war around 1830. Staying true to the historical aspect of these homes, neither of the homes housed a Christmas tree since they didn't really arrive to this country to about the onset of the Civil War. Even then, the use of Christmas trees mainly was prevalent in cities like New York and in major department stores even then. The existence of a Christmas tree in a residence, therefore, was also a sign of affluence. For example, Biltmore has always had a huge tree. For those not in the know, Biltmore is the equivalent of an American castle.
The first owner, Lewis Ladsen Gibbes was different than the other residents of Pendleton of his day. Most of his neighbors used these Upstate dwellings as their "summer house," while Lewis planned to live here year-round. He had Astabula built sometime between 1825-1828. Sadly, Lewis didn't live in the house long. He died in this house at the age of 57, in 1828.
Lewis was at least blessed three times, and his sons inherited the house in birth order one at a time. Starting with the eldest son, Lewis Reeve Gibbes in 1830, then his younger brother, Charles Gibbes from 1831-1835, and lastly, John Gibbes until it sold in 1837. They were all ambitious men with Lewis becoming a doctor, and Charles moved to CA and mapped out a lot of the Gold Rush country in No. California. Once the Gibbes family sold the property in 1837, it had 8 owners who acquired the property for various reasons until the Mead Corporation developed the land around Astabula to produce pulpwood. It wasn't until 1961 that the plantation itself became the property of the Pendleton Historic Foundation.
For more information to tour either home, go to:
https://www.pendletonhistoricfoundation.org/
Ironically, for both homes, they coin the term "plantation" in the naming but in actuality, both homesteads were really just horse farms. You see, cotton doesn't grow up in this part of the state due to our colder winters. The Upstate is bedded up against the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and just slightly off the Appalachian Trail. So naturally, we'd see cooler temps. This region was known for its textile industry, horses, and dairy products.
Burgundy Sweater with details &
Charcoal Grey Slacks
~ Lane Bryant
Black Life Stride Boots
~ Belks
New Navy Puffer Jacket &
Grey/Navy Striped Fingerless Gloves
~ Lane Bryant
Pictured here in front of Astabula, I posed rather quickly due to the cooler temps with the snow. I'd really intended to wear this outfit to nearby Asheville, but it seems that mother nature had other plans this year.
Chloe's Fashion
Vanilla Colored T-Shirt Dress with Kitties by City Threads, & Total Girl Leggings
~ JCPenney
Furry Arizona Brand Boots
~ JCPenney
Knit Hairband by Candie's &
Junior's Wallflower Brand Denim Jacket
~ Kohl's
Pictured in Pendleton Square, Chloe has a country and urban chic that's all her own. She had so much fun on this adventure, we had to stop after the fact to get her picture!
Christmas is always a great chance to reconnect with family and friends. I hope this blog finds you well, and not too frazzled from shopping!
I confess, as a fashionista, I love shopping as much as the next girl, but I realize there are times to savor with family and friends. I hope for all of my readers this is a time of peace, joy, and time with your loved ones.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Until next time, be fashionable, and be blessed.
Love, Laurie
Junior's Wallflower Brand Denim Jacket
~ Kohl's
Pictured in Pendleton Square, Chloe has a country and urban chic that's all her own. She had so much fun on this adventure, we had to stop after the fact to get her picture!
I confess, as a fashionista, I love shopping as much as the next girl, but I realize there are times to savor with family and friends. I hope for all of my readers this is a time of peace, joy, and time with your loved ones.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas! Until next time, be fashionable, and be blessed.
Love, Laurie
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