Charles Pinckney

https://www.nps.gov/chpi/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Pinckney_National_Historic_Site The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site preserves a portion of Charles Pinckney's Snee Farm plantation and country retreat. Pinckney (1757-1824) was a member of a prominent political family in South Carolina. He fought in the American Revolutionary War, was held for a period as prisoner in the North, and returned to the state in 1783. He served as a delegate to the constitutional convention where he contributed to drafting the United States Constitution. He was elected to three non-consecutive terms as Governor of South Carolina, and as a member of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. Charles Pinckney was a principal author and signer of the United States Constitution and went on to be a political leader in South Carolina for over 40 years. The park preserves Snee Farm, one of his plantation properties, where visitors can learn about the politician's influences on Charleston, the African people he enslaved, plantation operations, and the legacy of Pinckney's life. The park is located on the south side of Long Point Road .7 miles from US Highway 17, or 3 miles if coming from I-526. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site Visitor Center A historic Lowcountry cottage house serves as the park's visitor center. Visitors can enjoy museum exhibits, film options, Jr. Ranger program, and obtain park and local area information and orientation. Property owner William Mathews constructed the house ca. 1828 on the foundations of the Pinckney house. The house retained its characteristics through subsequent owners until Thomas Ewing bought Snee Farm in 1936. Thomas and Anna Ewing added two one-story rear (north) wings in 1936. The park is located on the south side of Long Point Road .7 miles from US Highway 17, or 3 miles if coming from I-526. Historic House and Grounds 1828 Lowcountry cottage and grounds The historic house serves as the park's visitor center and features exhibits, film options, and a museum shop. Charles Pinckney Charles Pinckney portrait American founding father, Charles Pinckney, was a contributing author and signer of the U.S. Constitution. Live Oak Live Oak Spanish Moss drape Live Oak in the early morning sun. Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Southern Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora) Flowering plants, like this Southern Magnolia, are remnant of historic ornamental gardens once enjoyed by former farm owners and still marveled over by modern visitors. Corn Crib Corn Crib Snee Farm, once owned by Charles Pinckney, was a working farm for over 200 years. This corn crib, built in 1910, is one of the few remaining structures of a bygone era. Boardwalk and Marsh Boardwalk and Marsh A .25 mile loop trail is a popular activity for visitors to enjoy the grounds and see points of cultural and natural interest along the way. NPS Geodiversity Atlas—Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, South Carolina Each park-specific page in the NPS Geodiversity Atlas provides basic information on the significant geologic features and processes occurring in the park. snee farm house Listening to the Eclipse: National Park Service scientists join Smithsonian, NASA in nationwide project A solar eclipse is visually stunning, but what will it sound like? NPS scientists will find out by recording sounds in parks across the USA. An NPS scientist installs audio recording equipment in a lush valley at Valles Caldera NP. Reconstruction During Reconstruction, the Federal government pursued a program of political, social, and economic restructuring across the South-including an attempt to accord legal equality and political power to former slaves. Reconstruction became a struggle over the meaning of freedom, with former slaves, former slaveholders and Northerners adopting divergent definitions. Faced with increasing opposition by white Southerners and some Northerners, however, the government abandoned effor Picture depictsing former slaves and free blacks voting following the passage of the 15th amendment Emancipation and the Quest for Freedom Although the abolition of slavery emerged as a dominant objective of the Union war effort, most Northerners embraced abolition as a practical measure rather than a moral cause. The war resolved legally and constitutionally the single most important moral question that afflicted the nascent republic, an issue that prevented the country from coalescing around a shared vision of freedom, equality, morality, and nationhood. Slave family seated in front of their house Naturalization at Charles Pinckney National Historic Site The 20th annual naturalization ceremony at Snee Farm, part of Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, was one of the largest naturalization ceremonies in the region in 2017. Each year, naturalization ceremonies are hosted at national parks around the country to celebrate new citizens and recognize the broad and varied history of the United States. The Snee Farm house is a two-story white building with bunting on a lawn under mature trees. Fire Suppression System Wins Engineering Excellence Award In 2012, the American Council of Engineering Companies of South Carolina awarded the three-part design team for Charles Pinckney National Historic Site’s fire suppression system with an engineering excellence award in the category of small projects. Safe interior fireplace in an old farm house The Civilian Experience in the Civil War After being mere spectators at the war's early battles, civilians both near and far from the battlefields became unwilling participants and victims of the war as its toll of blood and treasure grew year after year. In response to the hardships imposed upon their fellow citizens by the war, civilians on both sides mobilized to provide comfort, encouragement, and material, and began to expect that their government should do the same. Painting of civilians under fire during the Siege of Vicksburg The Civil War in American Memory America's cultural memories of the Civil War are inseparably intertwined with that most "peculiar institution" of American history - racial slavery. But in the struggle over Civil War memory which began as soon as the war was over and continues to this day, rival cultural memories of reconciliation and white supremacy have often prevailed. Therein lies the challenge as the National Park Service - a public agency - seeks to "provide understanding" of the Civil War era's lasting impact upon the development of our nation. Elderly Union and Confederate veterans shake hands at the fiftieth anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg The Changing War Begun as a purely military effort with the limited political objectives of reunification (North) or independence (South), the Civil War transformed into a social, economic and political revolution with unforeseen consequences. As the war progressed, the Union war effort steadily transformed from a limited to a hard war; it targeted not just Southern armies, but the heart of the Confederacy's economy, morale, and social order-the institution of slavery. Woodcut of spectators watching a train station set fire by Sherman's troops National Park Service Commemoration of the 19th Amendment In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment the National Park Service has developed a number of special programs. This includes online content, exhibits, and special events. The National Park Service’s Cultural Resources Geographic Information Systems (CRGIS) announces the release of a story map that highlights some of these programs and provides information for the public to locate and participate. Opening slide of the 19th Amendment NPS Commemoration Story Map The Enslaved Community of Snee Farm By 1810, Governor Pinckney enslaved 58 people at Snee Farm alone. Archeologically-recovered tablewares speak to the Pinckney family’s high status in South Carolina society, as they were members of an elite class that dined on valuable plates and bowls. In the East Yard, archeologists discovered evidence of the slave village, including colonoware, toys, food remains, and other materials used by the enslaved population. Archeologists at work. NPS photo. 2022 Freeman Tilden Award Recipients View recipients of the National Park Service Freeman Tilden Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the practice of interpretation and education by NPS employees. Two women work with a tree while a young man records audio. Updated Species Database Will Help Boost Amphibian Conservation Across the National Park Service To steward amphibians effectively, managers need basic information about which species live in parks. But species lists need constant maintenance to remain accurate. Due to recent efforts, the National Park Service now has an up-to-date amphibian species checklist for almost 300 parks. This information can serve as the basis for innumerable conservation efforts across the nation. A toad sits on red sand, looking into the camera. Cub Scout Hannah Murray Volunteers at Fort Moultrie National Historical Park Meet Hannah Murray, a Cub Scout from Pack 743! She is also a youth volunteer with the National Park Service (NPS). A young girl in a blue cub scout uniform and an orange hat holds a trash bag, outside My Park Story: Kelsey Brandt Meet Kelsey Brandt, the WASO Youth and Young Adult Programs Division digital communications intern through Student Conservation Association. A young woman stands in front of a sunset and a tree filled with cherry blossoms Intern Spotlight: Amanda Falcone Meet Amanda Falcone, a former intern and current volunteer at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park, and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina! A young woman stands outside smiling Imprisonment at Snee Farm Late in American Revolution, the Snee Farm plantation was used by the British to hold Patriot leaders including General William Moultrie. Learn why Colonel Charles Pinckney allowed his plantation to be used for this purpose. Charles Pinckney at the Constitutional Convention Charles Pinckney, a delegate from South Carolina, was an influential delegate to the Constitutional Convention. What did he think the new country should be? Find out here.

When William L Pierce of Georgia sat down in Philadelphia to assess his fellow delegates at what would become the Constitutional Convention of 1787, he saw Charles Pinckney as "a young Gentleman of the most promising talents...... intimately acquainted with every species of polite learning" and possessing "a spirit of application and industry beyond most Men." The youngest of the South Carolina delegates and long-time advocate of a 'strong central government, Pinckney had been among the„firs,t to call for a geheraijcgnyention to amend the ineffective Articles of Confederation by whictj the country had been governed since 1781. He attended every session, served on tfte.committee that prepared the rules of procedure, and participated frequently and effectively in debates, speaking "with great h O "C I c 0) +* W O o *^ £ O <D •£ § ra w § •- o rat; Era JI ra O ro a> SnBo 9 ra"'. '•" rn Z C/3 Z D neatness and perspicuity" and treating "every subject as fully .-:. as it requires." Of special note were his strong arguments for protecting property interests and establishing a central government with a clear separation of powers, a government that would represent the rights of the people. He is most widely remembered for his celebrated draft of a constitution, which, though never formally considered by the convention, contained 30 or more provisions that were incorporated irrto the final document. Although embroiled in controversy during his lifetime and overlooked by earfy historians after his death, modern'historianshave confirmed Charles Pinckney as a leader at the convention whoshelped resolve problems that arose during the debates and contributed significantly to the creation of the world's oldest Written national instrument of government. ST C o c Young Charles received his basic schooling from Drs David Oliphant, a noted South Carolina scholar who emphasized history, the classics, political science, and languages. In 1773, when the growing unrest between Great Britain and the colonies disrupted Charles's plans to attend school in England, he stayed home and studied law with his father. • ••• Q. Ci o •o "5 O •o c Charles's career of public service started in 1779 at age 21 in the midst of the American Revolution. After joining the South Carolina Bar, he represented Christ Church Parish in the General Assembly 03 CO 6 a z n -6 I TO 00 c o I £ 00 c; O I it I o O C g. CL and, as a lieutenant in his father's militia regiment, took part in the abortive Franco-American attempt to retake Savannah, Ga., from the British. 1 ra C5 CO o @ From "Signing of the Constitution" by Louis S. Glanzman A Life of Public Service Charles Pinckney was born into a prominent Charleston, S.C., family on October 26, 1757. His father, a wealthy planter and attorney, was also commanding officer of the local militia, a member of the General Assembly, and, in 1775, president of the South Carolina Provincial Congress. The Pinckneys were part of Charleston's social elite. to federation. Charles Pinckney took an active pan- in the debates and subsequently labored diligently for South Carolina to ratify the new Constitution, which it did on May 23, 1788. When the British captured Charleston in the spring of 1780, Charles and his father were arrested and imprisoned along with other American officers. Charles remained confined until June 1781. His father, however, was freed after swearing allegiance to the British Crown, an action that saved the Pinckney estate, including Snee Farm/from confiscation. In April 1788, Pinckney married Mary Eleanor Laurens, with whom he would have three children. Over the next 10 years, he held a variety of political offices, including president of the South Carolina State Constitutional Convention (1790), South Carolina governor (1789-91, 1791-92, and 1796-98), and U.S. Senator (1798-1801). In 1784, after serving briefly in the General Assembly, Charles Pinckney was selected as a delegate to Congress, then meeting in Trenton, N.J. In May 1787, he, his cousin Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Pierce Butler, and John Rutledge represented South Carolina at the Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia to address the weaknesses in the Articles of Con- During the nation's formative years, the Pinckneys were supporters of the Federalist Party. By 1795, however, Charles had come to view the Federalists as the party of the rich and well-born and he joined Thomas Jefferson's newly formed Democratic-Republican Party, championing the interests of rural Americans over those of the tidewater aristocracy. During the Presidential campaign of 1800, Pinckney was Jefferson's South Carolina campaign manager and helped him win the election. As a reward, Jefferson appointed him Ambassador to Spain, a post he held from1801-05. During that time, he helped to fact itate the transfer of Louisiana from France and made a valiant but unsuccessful effort to get Spain to cede Florida to the Unit