Drayton Hall, 1765
In 1765, a Swiss artist, Pierre Eugene Du Simitiere, visited Drayton Hall and painted this watercolor; it is believed to be the earliest known depiction of Drayton Hall.
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Lightening Rod - The lightening rod, also known as an electrical rod or conductor, came into common use after Benjamin Franklin's pioneering experiments in electricity. The rod channeled the electricity into the ground to keep the house from catching on fire.
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Belt Course - This brick work indicates the approximate interior floor levels. It was made with fine mortar joints, rubbed and carved brick, and topped with lead flashing. The belt course added decoration to the house.
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Quoins - These decorative elements of carved limestone highlight the door openings into the raised basement. Quoins added decoration to the house.
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Stair - A series of steps created this decorative pyramidal staircase, used as an entry and exit of the flanker building.
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Drayton Hall, c. 1845
This pen and ink sketch was done by Lewis Reeve Gibbes, a cousin to the Draytons at Drayton Hall, while visiting in the 1840s.
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Oculus - This oval window, know as an oculus, was not originally a part of Drayton Hall. It was installed by Reilly, a hired mason, for Charles Drayton, second generation owner (1784-1820), in 1791. The window allowed for heat to escape the attic during the hot summer months.
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Downspouts - These original downspouts took rain water from the gutters in the "W" shaped roof to the ground. The gutters and downspouts did not work very well and the roof leaked a lot.
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Iron Railing - The original iron railings were likely forged at Drayton Hall by blacksmiths. By 1980 some of the sections of railing were damaged and others were missing. Philip Simmons (a famous Charleston blacksmith) and his assistants repaired the damaged railings and made replacement railings for missing sections. Learn more about Mr. Simmons at www.philipsimmons.us
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Roman Doric Column - This type of column is a classically inspired design element usually found in Georgian-Palladian buildings. According to Charles Drayton, second generation owner (1784-1820), it took twenty-six men to safely remove one of the columns for repair in 1815. These columns are not just for decoration, they also hold up the portico!
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Great Hall Overmantle
This photograph was taken by preservationists studying Drayton Hall in 2011.
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Frieze - The pattern of alternating lotus and thistle blossoms surround the entire room. Each flower was hand carved. How long would it take you to carve 110 flowers?
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Guilloche - Guilloche are a pattern of entwined strips that create a series of circles. To make the guilloche more decorative, the carpenters added blossoms inside the circles. Many of the original blossoms are now missing.
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Fretwork - Fretwork is a series of horizontal and vertical strips that create a rectangular pattern. This example of fretwork is known as "Greek key." Today, this pattern is very popular and is seen on items such as door mats and throw pillows.
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Console - The console, also known as a bracket, is the shape of a partially opened scroll and can be used to support weight. This console is just for decoration.
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