cluding neighboring plantations, this is the equivalent of several semesters of high school history and then some. With over 30 struc- tures to wander around or through, dating from the 1760’s to the mid 1800’s, I felt like I had stepped back in time. I was no longer aware of the 21st century cars going down the highway nearby. Some folks may recognize some of the


buildings as being used in the film “The Pa- triot” with Mel Gibson and Health Ledger. I had realized the filming was taking place somewhere near there but had no idea the buildings used in some of the scenes were original structures and not just movie sets thrown together. With the grounds surrounded by pictur-


esque split rail fencing and with picnic tables and restrooms available, this is the perfect family destination that isn’t a tourist trap - and the kids won’t even realize they are learn- ing while exploring. With over 770 acres awaiting discovery, this is a living history mu- seum of the highest caliber. A mixture of orig- inal structures, reproductions of original buildings and structures that have been moved from other locations to Brattonsville to preserve them, this is a full day’s adventure of exploring. No detail has been overlooked, even the same breeds of chickens, pigs, cows and sheep are raised in this living museum as would have been found here in the 1800’s. There are walking trails and horse riding


trails available as well as nearby Hightower Hall which sits surrounded by a canopy of shade trees has been completely restored. Al- though it is not open for the public as part of the living museum, it is available for rental for corporate events, family reunions and weddings. Marked by its center tower consist- ing of three stories and it’s wide porch on the back of the house, it was built in Italian villa style in 1856. Used as a set location for “The Patriot” it is also the scene of Civil War reen-


actments. We took our time and strolled the grounds


experiencing the eerie calm that comes over one in such places where so much life has taken place. We wandered in and out of the homes and outbuildings, from the reproduc- tion 1700’s log cabin to the Bratton house from the 1800’s, learning about how this fam- ily grew and prospered over the decades. At the end of our day we happened to meet


Dontavius Williams, a certified historical in- terpreter for the museum and learned so much from him. I never knew how rich a story becomes when a talented interpreter uses their skills and talents to walk their audi- ence back through time. He answered ques- tions and pointed out the most heart-wrenching part of our tour, the finger- prints left in the brick of a slave dwelling. By placing my own fingers over the fingerprints I realized they were made by either a woman or a young person, and most certainly an en- slaved person. I very carefully photographed the fingerprints but there was no need - they will always forever be etched in my mind. Here was proof of a living being who had no choices of their own to make – all decisions were made for them. These fingerprints were made by a person, a mind, body and soul that probably never left the plantation grounds, but had so much to offer the world. One structure in particular is known as the


Brick House, which was completed around 1845. Over the years it has served as a general store and post office as well as home to Napoleon Bonaparte Bratton and his family. The wooden shutters on the house are origi- nal and mostly still in good shape for their age. I was impressed by this, as shutters on modern houses seem to be the first thing to show age and decay. Originally having two front doors, those openings were bricked up at some point and a main door opening cre- ated in the center of the front of the house but


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