Drayton Hall – Haunted Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina

Drayton Hall stands as one of America’s oldest unrestored plantation houses. The Georgian-Palladian mansion has survived wars, earthquakes, and hurricanes since 1738.

Visitors and staff report unexplained phenomena throughout the historic estate. The property’s dark history of slavery and death creates a haunting atmosphere.

The Ashley River plantation never had electricity or modern plumbing installed. This preservation makes the mansion feel frozen in time.

Seven generations of the Drayton family lived within these walls. Their spirits may still call this stately home their eternal residence.

Historical Background

John Drayton began construction of Drayton Hall in 1738. The plantation was completed in 1742 as a showpiece of colonial wealth.

The mansion showcased the finest Georgian-Palladian architecture in the American colonies. Drayton used enslaved laborers to build this magnificent two-story structure.

The plantation survived the Revolutionary War without damage to the main house. British forces used the property as their headquarters during the siege of Charleston.

Sherman’s March to the Sea spared Drayton Hall during the Civil War. Legend says the family flew yellow quarantine flags claiming smallpox infection.

The 1886 Charleston earthquake caused significant structural damage to the mansion. Aftershocks continued for weeks, terrifying residents and workers alike.

An African American cemetery on the property holds dozens of unmarked graves. These burial grounds date back to the plantation’s earliest days of operation.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation acquired Drayton Hall in 1974. They maintain the property in its unfurnished, unrestored state for historical authenticity.

Paranormal Activity Summary

Staff members report hearing disembodied voices echoing through empty rooms. These phantom conversations often occur in the early morning hours.

Cold spots manifest suddenly in various locations throughout the mansion. Visitors describe walking through invisible walls of freezing air on hot summer days.

Phantom footsteps resound across the original heart pine floors. These mysterious sounds move from room to room with purposeful intent.

Shadow figures appear in doorways and along the grand mahogany staircase. Witnesses describe seeing dark human shapes that vanish when approached.

Electronic equipment frequently malfunctions inside the historic house. Camera batteries drain instantly, and recording devices capture unexplained interference.

Visitors report feeling overwhelming sadness near the African American cemetery. Some sensitive individuals claim to hear singing and weeping from the burial grounds.

Ghost Stories & Reports

The most frequently reported apparition is a young woman in period dress. She appears on the second floor, gazing out windows toward the Ashley River.

This phantom lady wears a white gown consistent with 18th-century fashion. Witnesses say she looks mournful, as if waiting for someone who never arrives.

Some researchers believe she may be Rebecca Drayton, who died young. Her portrait once hung in the great hall before the family removed furnishings.

Tour guides have encountered a man in Revolutionary War era clothing. He stands near the west portico, watching the river with apparent concern.

This military figure wears a blue coat with brass buttons. He disappears when approached or when guides attempt to speak with him.

The great hall experiences the most dramatic paranormal activity. Visitors report seeing full-bodied apparitions crossing from one doorway to another.

A phantom child runs through the downstairs rooms, giggling playfully. The sound of small feet pattering across floorboards startles many guests.

Some believe this spirit belongs to a Drayton child who died young. Infant and child mortality rates were tragically high during colonial times.

The African American cemetery generates powerful spiritual energy and emotional responses. Paranormal investigators record unexplained voices speaking in Gullah language patterns.

These voices sometimes sing traditional spirituals or work songs. The recordings capture harmonies that seem impossible from a single source.

Witnesses describe seeing shadowy figures moving among the cemetery’s ancient oak trees. These forms appear most frequently during twilight hours at dusk.

One recurring spirit appears as an elderly woman in simple clothing. She kneels at specific grave sites, seemingly tending to the burial grounds.

Local African American communities share stories passed down through generations. Their ancestors worked and died on this plantation under brutal conditions.

Some descendants refuse to visit Drayton Hall due to family trauma. They believe the land remains cursed by the suffering of enslaved people.

Most Haunted Spot

The second-floor bedchamber above the great hall is notoriously active. This room overlooks the Ashley River through tall windows.

Visitors report intense feelings of being watched in this specific space. Some flee the room overcome by inexplicable fear and anxiety.

The lady in white appears most frequently in this chamber. She stands motionless at the windows for several minutes before vanishing.

Temperature drops of twenty degrees occur suddenly without explanation. These cold spots concentrate near the fireplace and window areas.

Sensitive visitors report feeling a crushing sadness and sense of loss. Some psychics claim to perceive a tragedy involving unrequited love or betrayal.

The African American cemetery rivals the mansion for paranormal intensity. Many investigators consider it the most spiritually active location on the property.

The burial ground contains unmarked graves of enslaved workers and their descendants. Exact numbers remain unknown, but estimates suggest over one hundred burials.

Can You Visit?

Drayton Hall is open to the public year-round. The National Trust for Historic Preservation welcomes visitors to this National Historic Landmark.

General admission costs eighteen dollars for adults. Children ages twelve to seventeen pay ten dollars for entry.

Guided tours run throughout the day from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Knowledgeable docents share the plantation’s complex history during 45-minute tours.

Special candlelight tours occur during October and around Halloween. These evening events highlight the property’s haunted reputation and paranormal history.

Photography is permitted throughout most of the property and grounds. Flash photography is restricted inside the mansion to protect historic surfaces.

The site closes on major holidays including Thanksgiving and Christmas. Winter hours may vary, so checking the official website before visiting is recommended.

Best Time to Visit

Paranormal activity increases dramatically during autumn months, especially October. The candlelight tours in October provide the most atmospheric experience.

Evening hours generate the highest number of reported supernatural encounters. The plantation closes at dusk, but special tours allow after-dark access.

Early morning visits before crowds arrive create optimal conditions for experiencing phenomena. Staff members report the most activity between 7:00 AM and 9:00 AM.

The anniversary of the 1886 earthquake on August 31st sees heightened activity. Visitors report unusual sounds and sensations on this historically significant date.

First-Hand Accounts & Eyewitness Reports

A tour guide named Patricia documented her 2018 encounter in the great hall. She watched a man in colonial clothing walk through a solid wall.

The apparition moved with purpose from the east doorway toward the river side. Patricia noted his clothing details matched portraits of Charles Drayton from the 1770s.

A visitor from Ohio submitted a photograph showing an unexplained figure. The image captured during a 2019 tour shows a translucent woman on the staircase.

Photography experts analyzed the image and found no evidence of tampering. The figure wears period-appropriate clothing consistent with the plantation’s history.

In 2020, a paranormal investigation team recorded compelling electronic voice phenomena. Their audio equipment captured a woman’s voice saying “Help them” in the great hall.

The investigators were alone in the mansion during the overnight recording session. No living person was present to create the captured voice.

A maintenance worker reported hearing his name called multiple times in 2017. He searched the empty mansion but found no one else on the property.

This experience occurred at 6:30 AM before the site opened to visitors. The voice sounded female and came from the second-floor bedchamber.

Local Legends & Myths

Charleston locals tell stories about the yellow fever flags that saved the mansion. The Drayton family allegedly flew quarantine flags to deter Union soldiers during the Civil War.

This clever deception supposedly prevented Sherman’s troops from burning the property. Historical evidence suggests the story contains more folklore than documented fact.

Another legend claims a secret tunnel connects Drayton Hall to the Ashley River. Supposedly, the family used this passage to escape approaching danger or hide valuables.

No architectural evidence supports the existence of such a tunnel. The story likely originated from similar tales associated with other plantation houses.

Gullah communities share stories of supernatural protection over the cemetery grounds. They believe ancestral spirits actively guard the burial site from desecration.

Some accounts describe mysterious lights appearing over the graves at night. These “ghost lights” allegedly chase away anyone attempting to disturb the sacred space.

Paranormal Investigations & Findings

The Atlantic Paranormal Society conducted a formal investigation in 2016. Their team documented numerous unexplained temperature fluctuations and electromagnetic field anomalies.

TAPS investigators captured audio recordings of footsteps when no one was walking. Their thermal imaging cameras detected human-shaped heat signatures that disappeared suddenly.

Charleston Paranormal Research Society maintains ongoing documentation of the property. They’ve conducted quarterly investigations since 2012 with consistent paranormal results.

Their evidence includes photographs showing unexplained orbs and light anomalies. Multiple electronic voice phenomena recordings capture names and phrases in period-appropriate English.

A 2019 investigation yielded particularly compelling results near the cemetery. Researchers recorded temperature drops of eighteen degrees within seconds at specific grave sites.

EMF detectors registered unusual spikes corresponding with reported feelings of presence. Several team members experienced physical sensations of being touched or pushed.

Safety Warnings & Legal Restrictions

The mansion’s original floors are fragile and uneven in places. Visitors must watch their footing, especially on the historic staircase.

The property closes at dusk except during special evening events. Trespassing after hours is illegal and prosecuted by local law enforcement.

The African American cemetery is a sacred site requiring respectful behavior. Visitors should not disturb grave markers or leave offerings without permission.

Uneven ground throughout the property poses tripping hazards. Appropriate footwear is essential for safely navigating the historic landscape.

Summer heat and humidity can cause health issues during outdoor exploration. Visitors should bring water and take breaks in shaded areas.