For more than 300 years, Boone Hall Plantation has been working farm and forestland, first as a lucrative plantation and later as one of the most popular attractions in Charleston.
Last week, Lowcountry Land Trust, the McRae family and state and local leaders announced the permanent protection of Boone Hall Plantation. A conservation easement, which closed on Nov. 5, ensures that the property’s forests and farmland will remain forever, eliminating development pressure in rapidly growing Mount Pleasant.
“The protection of Boone Hall is truly ‘community’ conservation. It grounds the region with a sense of place and connects people to the land through masterful storytelling and shared experiences,” said Ashley Demosthenes, president and CEO, Lowcountry Land Trust.
“The commitment of the McRae family to chart proactively the future of Boone Hall demonstrates their passion for this special place and for the thousands of guests they host each year,” Demosthenes added.
Boone Hall’s conservation easement consists of nearly 600 acres, including 370 acres of forestland and a mile and a half of creek frontage. The McRae family’s love story for Lowcountry land began like so many others. Owner Willie McRae’s parents often visited friends in the area and on one visit they discovered an iconic Southern plantation for sale. Willie McRae’s father purchased the property in 1955 for his wife. The family moved to the property when he was one year old and soon after, his mother opened the property to tourists.
“I first fell in love with this place during my childhood,” McRae said. “It has been hard work. By placing Boone Hall in a conservation easement with Lowcountry Land Trust, I know that the vision my parents had for this special place can live on forever. It will always be a magical, mystical place for children and others who come to visit.”
Under the terms of the conservation easement, the property will be used only for agriculture, education and tourism. Charleston County Greenbelt Fund and the South Carolina Conservation Bank provided critical funding, while the McRae family donated 75% of the land value relinquished due to the limited uses allowed under the terms of the conservation easement.
For more information on all things Mt. Pleasant SC, please contact The Brennaman Group: 843.345.6074 – bob@charlestonproperty.net –
We hope you enjoy a tour of Boone Hall with Bob Brennaman!
