Why Cornwallis
left Carolinas and went to
Yorktown and
defeat.  Click
below

"The Patriot" inside  info
click here.

You will have to see "The Patriot" when it is released in June 2000 to see if you can recognize the grounds of Middleton and whether the house was included in any of the scenes.  The house was much more impressive before the Civil War.  On his march from Atlanta to the sea Sherman set the house on fire.  Only the south wing survived and had to be totally restored the first part of the 20th century.  It is now a museum dedicated to four generations of Middletons.  Henry Middleton (1717-1784) was a member of the council of the royal governor of South Carolina until he resigned his seat in 1770 to become a leader in opposition to British policy.  He was chosen to represent South Carolina in the First Continental Congress and on Oct. 22, 1774, was elected its president.   Arthur Middleton (1742-1787) was a more radical thinker than his father -- like the character who is Mel Gibson's son in "The Patriot." In 1776 Arthur was elected to succeed his father in the Continental Congress and he signed the Declaration of Independence that 4th of July.  The Middleton Place Foundation enthusiastically welcomed the film crew of "The Patriot," Carolyn and Brendan O'Connor were told when they enjoyed a candlelight dinner at Middleton in April 2000.  Dining there patrons save the $8 entry fee to the house and gardens, find the house closed, but get to enjoy the gardens before and after dinner -- without other people in their photos.   

This colonial garden could be seen from our window as we dined at Middleton.
Click below to visit Middleton web site.

When I get to see
"The Patriot" and recognize the terraced grounds
of Middleton, I'll be looking for my favorite Middleton character.  The swan's mate was on a nest in the lagoon in April 2000,