Historic Beaufort Foundation - Family Plantation Day Festival at Historic Pick Pocket Plantation

Description

Historic Pick Pocket Plantation will host its first Plantation Day Festival on Saturday, December 12 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. The one-day event will be a celebration suitable for all ages, with food, art, fine crafts, Lowcountry history and more. All festival activities will be free of charge to the public. The festival will offer visitors an opportunity to explore the recently restored historic plantation home and surrounding grounds and learn more about the property’s history and future. Local preservationist John Keith purchased Pick Pocket Plantation in 2006 and has devoted the last three years to restoring the plantation home and surrounding outbuildings. The property was owned previously by the Trask family and now comprises over 15 acres. According to Keith, the plantation home has undergone extensive renovations during its restoration. The home is noted for its distinctive architectural style, unusual exterior board siding, wrap-around porches and cupola or widow’s watch. The home has been furnished with period antiques, Tiffany-style stained glass light fixtures and various collectibles to complement the heart pine floors, beadboard wainscoting, large bay windows, arched brick fireplaces and high ceilings. The unique furnishings also include two kitchen possum-belly tables with rounded drawer bottoms and a custom-built dining room table constructed of heart pine wood salvaged from the floor of an old railroad car. The festival will have plenty of outdoor attractions as well, says Keith. “We’ll have food vendors, hay rides and Lowcountry area artisans selling their art and crafts.” he said. “And the kids can feed the chickens too.” Keith plans to use the property to promote area agriculture, tourism and educational activities. The property is located at 91 Trask Farm Road in Beaufort, northwest of Robert Smalls Parkway between Neil Road and Burton Hill Road. Directions (in Beaufort): From the intersection of U.S. 21/Boundary Street and Highway 170/Robert Smalls Parkway, turn onto Highway 170/Robert Smalls Parkway and travel .3 mile to Advance Auto Parts (just past the railroad tracks). Turn right into the parking lot between Advance Auto Parts and Charter Communications. The entrance to the plantation and the unpaved farm property drive is located between the two businesses at the back of the parking lot. (The entrance will be marked.) Follow the signs and park in the field in front of the plantation home. The event will be held rain or shine.