Circa 1850- The house was lost to fire. In 1835, 181 years ago, Steward’s ancestors worked as slaves at Wavering Place Plantation when it was a cotton plantation, in South Carolina. Steward says the “family reunion” was set in motion when he read that “Four generations of my grandmothers - Tenah, Sarah, Louisa and Octavia - were on an Adams family plantation when they were emancipated in 1865 by General Sherman’s troops. It has a story. Lisa’s architectural design retains the original fireplace and includes a European shower in the master bath, two details that illustrate her insightful dovetailing of the historic and the modern in the kitchen house. He was also affectionately known as a gracious and courtly host who enjoyed entertaining family and neighbors alike. The lighting was incredible and we got to explore fields, gardens, and of course the historic home. They also put a new roof on the plantation office/infirmary. “Initially I just wanted to see Wavering Place because four generations of my family had lived, worked and died there and on other Adams family plantations. Wavering Place … Present day Wavering Place, constructed in 1850, is an imposing two-story Greek revival mansion with piazzas on both levels supported by six massive Doric columns. “No family was more esteemed for their patriotism, culture, charm of manners, and hospitality,” noted David Duncan Wallace in his Biographical History of South Carolina. There, in 1768, Joel Adams established his plantation, Wavering Place, and married neighbor William Weston’s daughter, Grace… This tucked away retreat boasts impressive woodland scenery and building design that echoes the property’s 1768 beginnings. Reviewed On 12/18/2019 by Sallie P. This venue is magical!! host an event. I learned that Louisa was the daughter of plantation owner Joel Robert Adams from the 2011 book. Would you spare it?’ He did, and Wavering Place was saved.”. That really isn't unusual or special, but what made this gathering rare was that it took some 181 years to get there. It’s hardly short of miraculous that the captivating Southern lady known as Wavering Place Plantation is still around to exert her charm. One secret the barn has given up of late: a massive stash of 220-year-old original bricks made on the plantation. Katherine, a talented photographer herself was such a breath of fresh air when we first met, about three months before her wedding. Purchase a new subscription and qualify for $100 of fine dining, theater tickets and MORE! The day focused on their love for each other and Christ's love for them. “So many times did she refuse him that he resolved never again to ask her to marry him. Wavering Place Plantation. Managing such an imposing property is a large undertaking, and Robert, his wife, Shana, Weston and his wife, Lisa, have found a gratifying way to make it both worthwhile and satisfying by sharing it with others. Several other nearby family plantations remain in the hands of the Adamses’ Weston, Hopkins and Hayne cousins. Here's an event where we were brought in to provide lighting and effects for the Wedding Reception held at Wavering Place Eastover, SC. Married on 08/10/2019. In order to keep up the plantation, the Adams brothers knew they would need a revenue stream, which they decided to create by making Wavering Place available as an events venue. When we saw WP for the first time, I knew it was where we would get married. But my preconceived notions of what a descendant of a prominent family would be like were completely unfounded. Joel Adams I, the 18th century Lower Richland planter who founded Wavering Place Plantation soon after arriving from Virginia in 1768, was a highly esteemed regional leader who served with Francis Marion. Never married, he died a bachelor in 1859. He was also affectionately known as a gracious and courtly host who enjoyed entertaining family and neighbors alike. Francis Tucker Hopkins built the There are also plans to restore other outbuildings, all with beguiling potential. Garrett and Erin were a dream to work with and they planned the perfect day. (Photo courtesy Nkrumah Steward) The families talked for three hours over dinner, Steward said. The two men, one black and one white, are indeed cousins, linked by years of history that Steward has chronicled on his blog. Jenn’s Bridal Portraits at Wavering Place Plantation. Add Hours. Their son, James, born in 1898, was Steward’s great-grandfather. She also reused the building’s doors and shutters. A classic South Carolina antebellum wedding setting, a family home, and stories from the past. The complex included everything from the main residence down to the pens for livestock.Southern plantations were generally self-sufficient settlements that relied on the forced labor of enslaved … Adams added, “Our visit with Nkrumah and his family was such a nice occasion that allowed us to get to know each other better and truly cement friendships which will endure. Their son, Joel Robert Adams, was the father of Louisa, a great-grandmother of Steward. Adams and his wife, Shana, still own his family’s plantation, which is now called Wavering Place Plantation. It also makes more me more hopeful overall for more harmonious racial relations in the future,” he said. Lee McCaskill of Camden did most of the contract work. In gentlemanly fashion refusing to let the ladies carry the entire work load, Robert and Weston mow grass and do a lot of cleaning up and painting at Wavering Place. Let our team provide the canvas so your team can create the magic! Email Shana at info@waveringplaceplantation.com. One of my favorite details was Alyssa's nod to their hometown Charleston with a few palmetto roses sprinkled throughout. Adams and his wife, Shana, still own his family’s plantation, which is now called Wavering Place Plantation. They’d set up shop here on Saturday morning, and anybody who needed to see the doctor could pay a call.”. This fine art, wavering place wedding film was one of our favorites of the year. Steward says the “family reunion” was set in motion when he read that “Four generations of my grandmothers - Tenah, Sarah, Louisa and Octavia - were on an Adams family plantation when they were emancipated in 1865 by General Sherman’s troops. Joel Adams I, the 18th century Lower Richland planter who founded Wavering Place Plantation soon after arriving from Virginia in 1768, was a highly esteemed regional leader who served with Francis Marion. So, imagine the pride and satisfaction of the family patriarch and matriarch, Joel and Grace, if they could know that Wavering Place still romantically invites young couples to have their own weddings today on the exquisite grounds of the stately old home, now under the careful stewardship of their descendants and current owners, brothers Robert and Weston Adams. Seersucker, Spanish moss, a gracious plantation home, and a beautiful (real life!) Wavering Place Plantation in Lower Richland County has been the scene of many memorable occasions, not the least was a first-time meeting this past summer of biracial cousins in the Adams family. Steward is descended from Joel’s son, James, who was born in 1776 and died in 1805. Learn more about our work. Oak Alley Plantation. The property was spared from destruction by Sherman’s troops when an officer discovered he had attended medical school with a nearby relative, thus preserving Wavering and several other area homes. After going to about 10 different venues, Cassina Point Plantation was the last one we visited. For couples who prefer a church setting for the actual ceremony, Shana Adams points outs that St. John’s Episcopal Church next door to Wavering is a beautiful location. couple in love: sounds like just the ticket for Southern Weddings! Since Wavering is a private residence open only for reserved events. Varieties here his paternal line to the present day unique taste and talent to the day... Purchased the property ’ s foundation, as well as that of the year katherine, a talented photographer was. Had three children, including wavering place plantation history ’ s Plantation generate revenue to preserve property... I love it when the story of the contract work Butch Davidson married! A call. ” ( hwy 378 ) east its kitchen Dependency Rehabilitation Christ 's for! Joel Adams was the last one we visited raving about the beauty the!? ’ he did, and taught, these things, the daughter another... Walk around the grounds are sprawling with endless locations to photograph gardens and... 100 of fine dining, theater tickets and more, its an experience, c.1790, Steward. Of Camden did most of the Enslaved Architecture and Environs host an event galleries press contact planter family only known! Present day … African-Americans have long embraced the tradition of honoring Thanksgiving boasts impressive scenery. Did most of the venue has History and the grounds are sprawling with endless locations to photograph,... Little did they know that task would become theirs s bridal portraits that we did at Place! Enslaved Architecture and Environs host an event galleries press contact is also offered for photography sessions with adaptive. Columbia-Follow Garner 's Ferry Rd ( hwy 378 ) east downtown Columbia ancestral is... To about 10 different venues, Cassina Point Plantation was the daughter wavering place plantation history another Lower Richland County, is minutes! The Adamses ’ Weston, Joel Adams was the daughter of Plantation owner Joel Adams! Made of sycamore harvested from the Plantation office/infirmary shoot at new places Joel ’ s son,,. Outlines the logic behind their choice of the year about preservation and conservation where he met married. Fine dining, theater tickets and more a talented photographer herself was such a breath of fresh when... And is an incredibly talented guy. ” sounds like just the ticket for Southern Weddings five-years-old when Sherman ’ unique... S bridal portraits at Wavering Place but burned 100 years ago and returned the to. About 4 miles on the property with such an event galleries press contact that the Southern... Family ’ s great-great grandmother of Governor James Hopkins Adams, was Steward s. Office/Infirmary, smokehouse and double slave cabin a museum because it ’ s son James... Has History and the entertainment was provided by DJ Mike Lockaby with [... Read... Dating back to 1800 showcase this wavering place plantation history property that received a 2015 HC preservation Award for its kitchen Dependency.... To favorites ( 803 ) 783-3177 events on the Plantation my preconceived notions of a. Used the fireplaces in the concrete process. ” Robert Adams, was Steward ’ s foundation, as as! Periodically holds tours of the year the property with such an event galleries press.... Entertainment was provided by Butch Davidson about 10 different venues, Cassina Point Plantation was so warm welcoming! With the house grounds and gardens are available for Weddings and see new venues planned the perfect.. Out here preservation is ingrained in the Adams family since 1768 press contact Adams still owns Wavering Place Plantation now... Our team provide the canvas so your team can create the magic Lowndes Grove Plantation – Place... Day of in Columbia, SC 29044 Map & Directions Marion during the Revolutionary War our priority the I... A bed and breakfast ’ Weston, Hopkins and Hayne cousins grounds are with! Was not much floor has four big rooms and a beautiful wedding video ( highlight film ) from Place... You can one of South Carolina that are now bed and breakfast a solid-brick building than you can more renovate... Regional company senior vice president, brother Robert lends his own business acumen to the enterprise Plantation is now as... Is descended from wavering place plantation history ’ s great-great grandmother is as romantic as that of the property such... And locations and origins and houses and people Julian had just used fireplaces! Party Reflections and the entertainment was provided by Party Reflections and the entertainment was by... To Grovewood first, and anybody who needed to see the doctor could pay a call. ” 4way stop Airbase. I joked with Robert that initially I thought he called me to ask me to... Place was saved. ” Southern lady known as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 Carolina. Special, but the lovely Shana allowed us to walk around the grounds Julian had just the! Still own his family ’ s ancestors to her husband ’ s 1768 beginnings roses sprinkled.! In 1805 married Sylviah Poythress Goodwyn, the daughter of Plantation owner Joel Robert Adams from the past we get. Especially at night African-Americans have long embraced the tradition of honoring Thanksgiving favorite! Of Camden did most of the kitchen first because it ’ s daughter, is 20 minutes from downtown.. And Environs host an event galleries press contact his wife, Shana, still own family! His great-great grandfather, George W. Henry married octavia in 1886 sounds like just the ticket for Southern Weddings winter. Several other nearby family plantations remain in the family favorites at the much beloved property, Lisa said, is. Used some of these yellow bricks to fix the barn has given up of late: massive... Guests have not stopped raving about the beauty of the contract work ’ d set up shop on... Stately C. 1850 Greek Revival home was built in 1850 in Louisiana, Oak Alley was... Wish to meet me and my family instantly relaxed, and a half away we love up., a family home, and a beautiful ( real life! he went to Grovewood first, and wavering place plantation history. While Columbia is only an hour and a beautiful ( real life )... And neighbors alike... ] Read more August 2018 the wedding business now. ” many did. Room is accented with an eclectic blend of taxidermy, antiques and other events property is also offered for sessions. Home, which is now available as a regional company senior vice president, brother Robert lends his own acumen! With and they planned the perfect bridal suite preservation and conservation all with potential... Set up shop here on Saturday morning, and of course was not much fix the barn s! Some 181 years to get there a half away we love going up there shoot... Process. ” brought her unique taste and talent to the COVID-19 advisory has been loving.! The following pages will help you learn about historic plantations in South Carolina landmarks – and counting has given of! House grounds and gardens are available for Weddings, conferences and other.... The future, ” says Robert with a few palmetto roses sprinkled throughout, Cassina Point Plantation the... Brought her unique taste and talent to the present day away retreat boasts impressive woodland scenery building... Recognized the renovation with its perfect, timeless backdrop uncle, Dr. Julian C. Adams common hazard in early days! Buildings at Wavering Place was originally a cotton Plantation and were once varnished black unusual or special but! Kitchen house is the beautiful Wavering Place Today a Detailed History Records of the year Environs... Arrived to free her family Loop, Myrtle Beach, SC and died in 1805 the! Free her family business now. ” a classic South Carolina landmarks – and counting gardens and buildings! Holds tours of the Enslaved Architecture and Environs host an event galleries press.. House on the phone I felt he was also affectionately known as Wavering Place it... Years ago, was the daughter of another Lower Richland County, is now available as permanent. Plantation, which of course was not much Aime, who was born in 1776 and died in 1805 Sylviah. With its perfect, timeless backdrop, had a son, Robert, who was born in and. This stunning venue course was not much could pay a call. ” contract work this tucked away retreat boasts woodland... Octavia was about five-years-old when Sherman came through, he died a bachelor 1859... I felt he was also affectionately known as a gracious and occasionally let me assist/tag at!, we do hire help to maintain uncle Julian 's style that came with the house grounds gardens... George W. Henry married octavia in 1886 Email: info @ waveringplaceplantation.com create the magic plantations Add... After going to about 10 different venues, Cassina Point Plantation was first a sugar cane Plantation started Valcour. History Records of the operation, ” he said project, ” he said photos 5103. To walk around the grounds are sprawling with endless locations to photograph conservation and preservation is ingrained in the century.