Near Wadmalaw Island in Charleston County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

Charleston Tea Plantation

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 15, 2024

1. Charleston Tea Plantation Marker (side 1)

Inscription.
(side 1)
The first confirmed cultivation of tea in the U.S. occurred when French botanist André Michaux brought tea plants to Middleton Barony on the Ashley River between 1799-1802. Large-scale production, however, was not attempted. Beginning in 1880 the U.S. Congress subsidized renewed cultivation efforts. The Pinehurst Plantation in Summerville was the most successful of these attempts. (Continued on other side) (side 2) (Continued from other side) In 1963, cuttings from Pinehurst Plantation were transferred to 127 acres on Wadmalaw Island: land that is now the Charleston Tea Plantation. Because the Pinehurst plants had grown wild and cross-pollinated for decades prior to transfer they are now considered "South Carolina hybrids." Charleston Tea Plantation remains the only site of large-scale commercial tea production in the U.S.

Erected 2015 by Fort Sullivan Chapter, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Marker Number 10-88.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1799.

Location. 32° 37.087′ N,

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80° 11.108′ W. Marker is near Wadmalaw Island, South Carolina, in Charleston County. It can be reached from American Classic Tea Lane 0.3 miles east of Maybank Highway, on the left when traveling east. Marker is located in front of the main visitor center/factory building of the Charleston Tea Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6617 Maybank Highway, Wadmalaw Island SC 29487, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Plainsfield Plantation (approx. 7.1 miles away); John's Island Presbyterian Church (approx.

Charleston Tea Plantation Marker (side 2) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 15, 2024

2. Charleston Tea Plantation Marker (side 2)

7.6 miles away); Lafayette's Tour (approx. 8.4 miles away); St. John’s Episcopal Church (approx. 9 miles away); St. Paul's, Stono / St. Paul's Churchyard (approx. 9 miles away); The Progressive Club (approx. 9.4 miles away); Champneys' Pink Cluster (approx. 10.6 miles away); Belvidere School Site (approx. 11.1 miles away).

Also see . . . Charleston Tea Garden. (Submitted on July 22, 2024.)

Charleston Tea Plantation Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 15, 2024

3. Charleston Tea Plantation Marker

Charleston Tea Garden visitor center and factory in the background.

Tea field and harvester image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 15, 2024

4. Tea field and harvester

William Barclay Hall memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 15, 2024

5. William Barclay Hall memorial

Located in a small garden near the visitor center, this stone commemorates William Barclay Hall and his work to make the Charleston Tea Garden a reality.

Lori Susan Bigelow memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Lee Hattabaugh, July 15, 2024

6. Lori Susan Bigelow memorial

Located in a small garden near the visitor center, this stone honors Mrs. Bigelow's memory.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2024, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. This page has been viewed 431 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 22, 2024, by Lee Hattabaugh of Capshaw, Alabama. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.