Visit Edmondston-Alston House

Special Events

Secessionists, Soldiers and Slaves: The Middleton & Alston Family's Civil War

Exhibit Through December 31, 2015

Location: Middleton Place & Edmondston-Alston House

The Middleton Place House Museum and the Edmondston-Alston House will mount special changing exhibits commemorating American Civil War sesquicentennial anniversaries on a year-by-year basis and follow the lives of the Middleton family, Alston family, friends and slaves. Using personal letters, first-hand accounts and collections of the Middleton Place Foundation, the war will be viewed through the lens of the Middleton and Alston families as Secession and early war optimism turns slowly into defeat. The exhibit will explore rice culture during the war, the building of Charleston's defenses, investing in experimental "seegar boats", the use of slaves for war projects and runaway slaves fleeing the plantations for Union bases in Beaufort and Port Royal.

Christmas 1860 at the Edmondston-Alston House
November 30th & December 7th, 2012; 6:30 - 8:30 PM, $17.50 in advance, $22.50 at the door
Reliving the Eve of Civil War - Celebrate the holiday season with special performances by candlelight at the Edmondston-Alston House. The historic house will be decorated for the holidays much as it would have been in 1860. Living historians in period clothing tell the story of Charleston's last opulent Christmas before the start of the Civil War and Christmas traditions of the day. In the courtyard, visitors may enjoy hot cider and hear Christmas carols and spirituals sung by The Washingtons, Low Country singers specializing in African-American spirituals and Gullah songs. Performances given continuously from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Group rates available, call (843) 722-7171.

Directions

In Downtown Charleston:
The Edmondston-Alston House is located at 21 East Battery at the southern end of the Charleston peninsula. From the Charleston Visitor Center (at Meeting and Ann Streets), turn right onto Meeting Street south (approximately 2 miles) then turn left onto Atlantic Street. Continue two blocks then turn right onto East Battery Street. The Edmondston-Alston House is on the right. Look for the dark green sign by the sidewalk.

From Charleston International Airport:
From the Charleston International Airport follow I-526 East to I-26 South, exit toward Charleston. Follow I-26 and take Meeting Street exit 221B toward Visitor Center. Follow Meeting Street south (approximately 2 miles) then turn left onto Atlantic Street. Drive two blocks then turn right onto East Battery Street. The Edmondston-Alston House is on the right. Look for the dark green sign by the sidewalk. Estimated travel time: 30 minutes

From I-95 South:
From Interstate 95 South, take the Charleston exit onto I-26 for approximately 65 miles. Take Meeting Street exit 221B toward Visitor Center. Follow Meeting Street south (approximately 2 miles) then turn left onto Atlantic Street. Drive two blocks then turn right onto East Battery Street. The Edmondston-Alston House is on the right. Look for the dark green sign by the sidewalk. Estimated travel time from I-95 South exit: 90 minutes

From I-95 North:
From Interstate 95 North, take the Charleston (U.S. Highway 17) exit. Follow Highway 17 for approximately 70 miles. As you approach downtown Charleston take Highway 17 North across the Ashley River Bridge, stay in the right lane, and take the Lockwood Drive exit ramp. Follow Lockwood Drive until it becomes Broad Street. Follow Broad Street to East Bay Street. Turn right onto East Bay Street. East Bay Street becomes East Battery. The Edmondston-Alston House will be on the right. Look for the dark green sign by the sidewalk. Estimated travel time: 80-90 minutes