Fenwick Hall Plantation Grounds and Gardens

Fenwick Hall Grounds
Johns Island, SC

"Let me tell you about the very rich.
They are not like you and me."

F.Scott Fitzgerald

Drayton's of Drayton Hall were great family friends of the Fenwicks of John's Island.

fenwick reflection pond with ancient magnolia tree

Walled Garden

Main Gate of Fenwick, circa 1930

HEADLESS HORSEMAN CHARLESTON, MAYBANK HIGHWAY, RIVER RD, JOHNS ISLAND, SEABROOK BEST

GHOST ASYLUM FENWICK, HANGING TREE, HEADLESS

Open Sesame

2009 Grounds looking toward River Road. Photographer John Hauser.

I-526 Bypass, John Fenwick's ornamental ponds are divided by his raised causeway to the canals that made it's way closer to the Manor House in 1730.

2010 Beautiful old oak tree lives next to an ancient ornamental pond that leads down the causeway to Penny's Creek and the Stono River. This is the area the new bypass I-526 would destroy.

Fenwick Oak

John Fenwick's beautiful selection for a plantation was on the banks of the Stono. He selected this area with his older brother, Robert Fenwick around the year of 1703.

2010. Antique, heritage Oak on the Fenwick grounds. Image by John Hauser.

Reflection Pond, Fenwick, Victor Morawetz, Charleston Plantations, Fountains, Johns Island, Hauser Graphics.

Former Reflection pond from Victor Morawetz 1930 restoration of Fenwick. The walled garden is lined with ancient Camellias. This image was taken in 1964.

Charleston, Johns Island Weddings, Formal Garden with new reflection pond. 2009. Charter Hospital destroyed the old reflection pond that was shaped after Edward Fenwick's Daughter

2009. Formal Walled Garden with new reflection pond. Charter Hospital destroyed the old reflection pond that was shaped after Fenwick's Daughter's Ann's silhouette. Photographer John Hauser.

Charleston Wedding, johns island, Victor Morawetz Forma Garden. In 1930s, there was a rare cacti garden here on John's Island, SC

2009 Sept, Old and new palm trees enclose the new reflection pool installed in yr +2000. Photographer John Hauser.

Seasons Change even on barrier islands, March 2010

Boxwoods, Japanese Maples, at Fenwick Hall, Stono River, Johns Island, SC, Charleston, Hauser, ancient oaks,

2010, May at Fenwick, Japanese Maples, Boxwoods, Camellias, and the old Mill Stone.

Ancient Oaks, John's Island, SC. Seabrook and Kiawah Island area.

2010, April. Another ancient oak.

Iron Masterpiece Fenwick, Gates of Fenwick, River Road, Johns Island, Seabrook, Kiawah, Morawetz, Charleston Restoration, Charleston Plantations

2009, Gates keep in the many wounded souls of the past. Soldiers of many wars fought here, rested here and died here. Photographer John Hauser.

2009, Spring, Masterful Brick Laying at the River Road entrance to Fenwick. Photographer John Hauser.

Gates of John Fenwick's Plantation, circa 1705. Charleston Historic Homes

February 2009, Main Gate with alarm and security system. Photographer John Hauser.

Rainbow over Fenwick, by Michael A, Dec 2012

Edward Fenwick's Johns Island Stud, Matchem, Godolphin Arabian, SC Jockey Club, New Market Course, Charleston, Horse Racing 1770, John Fenwick's Fenwick Castle, Sir John Fenwick beheaded, Border Revelers,

2009. Lower Section of Front Gates, River Road Entrance. Photographer John Hauser.

Fenwick Hall facing main drive 1970's, Fenwick, Johns Island, SC, Charleston Plantations, Hauser Graphics, Stono River, Pennys Creek Road,

1970's. Fenwick Hall facing the Oak Alley to River Road. External shutters were not used on the original house at ~1730. John R. Hauser, photographer.

1999 Carol Dawn returns to Fenwick to spend time with the ghost that we abandoned by the hospital.

1999 Carol Dawn returns to Fenwick to spend time with the ghost that were abandoned by the hospital staff and patients.

Fenwick, Johns Island, SC, Kiawah, Seabrook Island, Morawetz, Claude Blanchard, Georgian Architecture, Federal Style, Flemish Bond, Slate Roof

2010 Shutters removed as not from 1730.

Fenwick, Johns Island, Pennys Creek Road, Kiawah, Stono River, River Road Johns Island, Georgian Architecture, Slate Roof,

1970's

Fenwick, River Road, Johns Island, SC, Johns Island Plantations, Pennys Creek Road, Hauser Graphics,

1999

Fenwick, Johns Island Plantations, SC, River Road, Stono River, Pennys Creek Road, Hauser Graphics, John Hauser Photography

2010

Fenwick Gate, River Road, John's Island, Fenwick, Morawetz, Helena, Claude Blanchard, Robert Blanchard, Kiawah, Seabrook

2009, Sept. View toward River Road Main Gate. Photography by John R. Hauser.

Fenwick, Fenwick Oak Allee, Johns Island, SC, River Road, Charleston Plantations, Hauser Photography

1974, Fenwick Hall, Oak Allee', there is my horse hitching post! Again B.C.. (before Cars!) And before Hurricane Hugo damaged the oaks and ditto for lighting strikes to the old trees. Photographer John R. Hauser..

Fenwick, Johns Island, SC, Southern Living Home, Hauser Graphics, Edward Fenwick, Charleston, SC,

Fenwick's newest ornamental pond to replaced the old Charter Hospital Pond. Renovated yr +2000.

Edward Fenwick Race Horse farm on John's Island, SC

View toward Fenwick's Oak Allee toward River Road.

1970's side drive from front of Fenwick to Maybank Highway. Photo taken by John R. Hauser

1970's side drive from front of Fenwick to Maybank Highway. Photographer John R. Hauser.

John's Island Stud Farm on right side of the manor house.

Early 70's Fenwick surrounded with Camelia and Magnolia Trees. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Plantation Wedding At Fenwick, CharlestonFormal English Garden of Fenwick Hall Plantation, River Road, John's Island, SC, USA

2009, Formal Walled Garden has extensive, hidden night lighting. Photographer John R. Hauser.

South Carolina Garden of Fenwick Hall, River Road, John's Island, SC built by Colonel John Fenwick from England. Morawetz, Hauser Photography, English Garden,

2009. New to the Fenwick's formal walled garden. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Morawetz Kitchen Wing, circa 1930

English Formal Garden at Fenwick. Updated by current owners.

2009. Young Firethorn Climbing Bush in the Fenwick's Formal Garden looking towards 1930's Veranda on the East side of the house. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick, Walled Garden, Stono River, Johns Island SC, Plantations, SC Plantations, Charleston, reflection pond, Crepe Myrtles, Camellias

2010, May, Formal Garden at Fenwick

English Garden at Fenwick Hall from the 1930's by Victor and Marjorie Morawetz. Victor and Marjorie left no heirs. Photographer John R. Hauser. HauserGraphics, Fenwick, Johns Island, SC, Charleston Plantations,

1973 image of the 1930's Reflection Pond is now gone/history. The 1930's added Veranda still touches the home, but is no longer enclosed. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick Castle, Head Quarters House Civil War, Revoluntary Battle John's Island, Godolphin Arabian, Kiawah, Seabrook, Stono Rebellion, John's Island Slaves at Fenwick number 500

2009, Garden Gates leading to the formal garden have been restored. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick Hall Hospital, english garden, victor morawetz cactus, cacti, formal english garden, charleston estate

1980's. Side Garden. This is the approximate location of the John's Island Stud Stables of both Edward Fenwicks 1745-1780

Sundial in Formal Garden at Fenwick Hall, Johns Island, SC, near Charleston on River Road. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1973, Sundial just inside the walled garden. This view faces what would be Maybank Highway. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1973, Morawetz Formal Garden, Fenwick Hall, designed 1930's. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick, Morawetz, Plantation Grounds, HauserGraphics.com

2010, Grounds of the Fenwick Plantation on the Stono River.

Main Double-Row Oak Allee

I-526 destroys Fenwick, SCDOT destroys wetlands, Stono, Mayor Riley, Charleston City Council, John's Island City Council, River and Maybank, Johns Island, SC, Fenwick, SC Palms, Camellias of Fenwick, Georgian Architecture, Colonial America, 1730 Plantation,

5.2010 Old Palms, Camellias and Magnolias grace the Grounds. The Morawetz Indoor Pool House from 1930 once stood in the right side of this image. If SCDOT has its way, you will see the new I-526 bypass in this view instead of what you see now.

Olive Tree in the Coach House Garden. The olives taste great!

River Road, Johns Island, Fenwick, HauserGraphics, Stono River, Pennys Creek Road, Johns Island History, SC

Former Morawetz reflection pond from 1930's. Destroyed by Charter Hospital and replaced in yr +2000 by the current owners in a more formal form.

2009

Victor Morawetz' formal reflection pond at John's Island Estate of Fenwick

1970s at the reflection pond.

1980's Fenwick Hall Hospital

+2000 Fenwick

Above three images take from same perspective, years apart..

1970's image of the small two story wing added by the Morawetz's in the 1930's restoration. First floor contained a kitchen and upper floor was a bedroom with wonderful wood paneling and an unsual cove ceiling. The outside stairs opens into the 'stair hall' in the Octagonal Wing added by John Gibbes in 1787. Majority of the landscaping was put into place by Victor Morawetz as in his later years, he took quite a interest in horticulture. (ie, the row of magnolia trees he planted on Maybank Highway at the golf course). He was also know for purchasing and having fully grown trees moved. Quite a feet for those days! Many of the trees at his Long Island home were full grown when planted at his home there. John R. Hauser photographer.

Victor Morawetz's Fenwick Castle on John's Island, SC, south of Charleston built 1730.

2009. Morawetz "Virginia Style" (Adamesque) wing added in 1930. Served as a modern kitchen on the first level, then but not today. Can you feel the ghost? Windows are eyes to the soul of the house. The upper room in this newest wing had severe water damage to its interior paneled wood walls with a cove ceiling. This was one of my favorite rooms and it was upseting to discover the water damage. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick Hall, Stono River side, Octagon Wing

1973, Stono River Side was the main entrance back between 1738-1900. There is a semi-circle of Palm Trees in a half moon around the entrance door. There is also a very old Camelia alley on this side of the house. This side is also where the hidden tunnel was that led from the basement to the River. Photographer John Hauser.

Facing Stono River and Pennys Creek, John's Island, SC at Fenwick. Palladian Windows of Colonial America.

Palladian Windows in early colonial america were very rare in the 1700's. Note how the Palladian Window pattern was carried down into the basement Windows.

Stono River Front Entrance, 1730 Fenwick Hall, Johns Island, SCPhotographer John R. Hauser. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1974, Stono River Front Entrance framed by an old Magnolia. You can barely see the rare Palladian/Venetian Windows that flanked both sides of the entrance door. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick Hall grounds on John's Island, SC Photographer John R. Hauser.

2009, Glimpse of rear view of the plantation. Egrets nest in the trees and deer (and ghost) roam the remaining 55 acres of the estate. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick grounds looking toward Maybank Highway and River Road intersection, John's Island, SC. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1970's, Grounds looking toward Maybank Highway and River Road intersection toward where Edward Fenwick's private horse racing track once was. Photographer John R. Hauser.

View toward Edward Fenwick's 3 mile race track Photographer John R. Hauser.

1973, View from Fenwick Rooftop deck looking toward River Road where the Horse Race Track once stood. Note part of the bannister in this view which has now been removed. During the late 1700's that would have been a great view of Edward Fenwick's three mile horse race track. And facing the other direction, to view incoming boats from Charleston. No, I was not suppose to be on the roof! Photographer John R. Hauser.

Entrance Gate to Fenwick Garden on John's Island, SC, Victor Morawetz designed the basic rectangular design of the bricked walled garden in 1930. Photographer John R. Hauser.

2009 Entrance to Fenwick's Formal Walled English Garden and Reflection Pond with very old millstone that was used on the plantation. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1973, Formal Fenwick Hall Garden Gate 1. Photographer John R. Hauser.

St Francis overlooking Fenwick Hall Formal Garden with Reflection pond 1970's on Johns Island, SC near Charleston

1960's, St Francis protecting the formal garden. He is standing on a very old millstone. Millstone is still there today but the statue is gone. Image courtesy Robert Igoe Blanchard, Composer.

Fenwick's very old millstone. Photographer John R. Hauser.

2009, Fenwick's very old millstone. Behind the millstone is one of the garden's walls made of the very old bricks from the former stable. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Fenwick Hall side entrance. Note wrought iron and copper awning. Stono River Plantation. Godolphin Arabians imported by Edward Fenwick. Photographer John R. Hauser.

2009, Side Entrance to the lower level basement with Wrought iron and copper accents. 300 years ago, the basement started off as a wooden fort, then log home, then in 1730 John Fenwick built is square brick home. The basement is a world of its own! There are many stories and legends about the basement. Photographer John R. Hauser.

In the mid-1700s, visitors docked their boats at the Stono River and walked along a causeway over diked rice fields and Penny Creek and past two ornamental ponds before reaching the Georgian mansion. Like Drayton Hall, nothing remains of the original, magnificent gardens from the Fenwick's time.
~~~

Victor Morawetz had the garden designed in 1930. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1975, Formal Garden of Fenwick Castle looking down from the balcony above the veranda. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Morawetz 1930 Swimming Pool house with ceramic tile. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1973, View of former 1930's Pool House in background. Photographer John R. Hauser.

fenwick hall pool house and veranda. Photographer John R. Hauser.

1974, looking toward Veranda and pool house. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Edward Fenwick of John's Island Stud on John's Island 1700's Photographer John R. Hauser.

F1974, Fenwick Hall octagonal shaped Garden Wall. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Old Brick Octagon wall near Fenwick's formal garden on the John's Island Plantation. Photographer John R. Hauser.

2009, Octagonal shaped wall on right side of main house helps balance the Octagonal Wing on left side. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Evergreens, Camelia's, Magnolias at Fenwick Hall Plantation

1974, Fenwick Hall with tons of Green Landscape, Magnolias, Camellia's and Evergreens. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Veranda overlooks Fenwick's formal garden and reflection pond.

1973, Veranda overlooking the formal garden was an addition during the 1930's restoration by Victor Morawetz at Fenwick Plantation. A balcony was also placed on top of the veranda for a great panorama view of the garden from two upstairs bedrooms. In the very background of the image, the white you can see outside, is (well, was) the pool house entrance. Photographer John R. Hauser.

Veranda (see photo above).
The one-story enclosed veranda at the east end of the house was added in 1931. It is 18th century style with balustrade and four columns. It overlooks the formal 19th century garden, with reflection pond, also laid out in 1931. For 2000, the veranda is no longer enclosed but open to the new reflection pond.

Victor Morawetz Fenwick Hall, John Hauser Photography

Reflection Pond overlook with balcony today.

Below..Pool "House". I took this photo the summer of 1976.
Pool house was constructed during the 1930's restoration and additions by Victor and Marjorie Morawetz.
Helena Blanchard stated that her daddy, Claude Blanchard Sr, had a commerical fireman's hose system installed in case of fire. That way the water from the pool could be pumped from the pool to save the house. Mr Blanchard was thinking ahead about doing all he could do so save Fenwick Hall.

The Pool House is 'no more' and now nothing but memories
for those that looked upon and experienced the pool. The pool and house was removed during the
plantations recent restoration due to it's poor restorable condition.

1974, The front entrance to the Morawetz Pool House 1930's Fenwick Hall Estate. Pool house is now history. Photographer John R. Hauser.

May 1999, as Fenwick Hall Hospital pool house & gym. This photo taken by Carol Dawn shows the condition the pool house was left in after the Hospital shut down. Even the pool was left to care for itself. This is a rare photo-thanks Carol Dawn who did laps in this pool once upon a time. The pool house & pool was in too deterioated to be saved & restored. It has been torn down and no sign of it remains today.