A Beautiful Day Exploring Old Chicora Park

Saturday was an ideal afternoon for the Preservation
Society’s  Oyster Roast Fundraiser. An
excellent turnout, good oysters and beer benefited saving the Admiral’s
Quarters at the old Navy Base. It was good to touch base with old friends and
make new ones! It was held on the grand lawn in front of Quarters H, grand
former Officers Quarters designed by James Olmstead, brother of Frederick Law.
In the process of a remodel, Quarters H was open for touring.
 After we said our goodbyes and left the event, we explored the neighborhood. With beautiful rolling hills and swails, it is not typical Lowcountry landscape. You can feel the influence of Olmstead in the design.
We went by
the Admiral’s Quarters, grand but decrepit; truly sad to see it looking so
forlorn. But it was after that that we made our greatest discovery. On the way
out, we visited another house, finely restored on the outside and used as a set
for Army Wives. It is leased , along with two others next to it, by a local 501(
c ) 3 non-profit  called South Carolina
Strong.  
Their Mission Statement: 
“Our Mission is to rehabilitate criminals and substance abusers and to move people into economic self-sufficiency.SC STRONG is a residential community that is self-governed where residents learn and teach academic and vocational skills, interpersonal and social survival skills, along with the attitudes, values and self reliance necessary to live in the mainstream of society drug and crime free, successfully and legitimately.”
 A great bootstrap operation! Consider that many of these
guys have felony convictions and, right or wrong, many employers just won’t
hire someone with a felony conviction. It is the policy of many corporate and
government  entities that people with
felonies are forever tainted goods. These rehabilitated  drug and alcohol addicts live in the other
two houses and have created  a number of
businesses that they own and operate. Prosperity and Security go a long way
toward sobriety and clean living, so kudos to them! The house that we toured
with them is being meticulously restored as their catering and venue center.
With at least five thousand grand square feet, it is sure to be a success!
Check out their website at http://www.southcarolinastrong.org/
Charleston Old Walled City Tours offers themed tours od Historic Charleston including the Old Walled City Tour, the Home and Garden Tour, the Slavery and Freedom Tour, and the Charleston Ghost Walk. Go to www.walledcitytours.come to learn more!
l
Scroll to Top