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Charleston Tea Plantation

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The Charleston Tea plantation, originally a 127-acre potato farm, is a living piece of American history. In the 1700’s, the Camellia Sinensis plant first arrived in the United States from China. Over the next 150 years, many unsuccessful attempts were made to propagate this plant and produce tea. In 1888, Dr. Charles Shephard founded the Pinehurst Tea Plantation in Summerville, SC, and for the first time, tea was being grown in the United States.  Dr. Shephard died in 1915, but the tea continued to grow wild for the next 48 years on the Pinehurst Tea Plantation. In 1963, the tea plants were transplanted to the Charleston Tea Plantation.

Today when you visit the Charleston Tea Plantation, you can take a factory tour and learn about the history of tea, take a scenic trolley ride around the 127-acre farm, stroll around the grounds, and visit the gift shop. The Plantation also has a picnic area with tables. Admission is free, but a fee is charged for the trolley ride. Allow about an hour and a half to two hours to tour the plantation, depending on whether you take the 45 minute trolley ride.

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Charleston Tea Plantation Photos

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Charleston Tea Plantation Hours and Admission

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Charleston Tea Plantation Address and Map

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Hotels Near the Charleston Tea Plantation

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More things to do in Charleston

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2. Things to do in Charleston SC
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