William G. Sizemore, 33°, Grand Cross
Grand Executive Director
1733 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 10009-3103

Touring the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the many pleasant benefits of attending the Bicentennial Celebration and Biennial Session of the Supreme Council, September 30 to October 3, 2001.

Charleston, South Carolina, the location of the joint Bicentennial Celebration and Biennial Session of the Supreme Council this year, has 300 years of history and a wonderful selection of tours of historic places for all visitors. You may wish to come early for the meeting and even stay over a few days afterwards to enjoy the history and atmosphere of this early American city. Short descriptions of some of the more popular tours offered by Charleston Convention and Group Services, Inc., are listed below.

FORT MOULTRIE AND CHARLESTON'S BARRIER ISLANDS

Journey by motor coach through scenic marshlands and waterways to Sullivan's Island, one of the beautiful barrier islands, the location of Fort Moultrie. Begin the visit to Fort Moultrie by viewing a film which depicts the history of the fort. After the film, a guide will give a brief orientation to the site which began its life as a simple fort built of palmetto logs and sand from which Revolutionary soldiers, under the leadership of Colonel William Moultrie, repulsed a British fleet on June 28, 1776. The fort remained active until 1947 and is one of the more interesting historic fortifications on the eastern seaboard. The way back to Charleston will be via the Isle of Palms, another barrier island, which fronts on the Atlantic Ocean. (Duration 3 Hours; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Moderate Walking; $23.00 per person)
Fri., Sept. 28, 2001, 9:00 am to 12:00 noon

MIDDLETON PLACE PLANTATION TOUR

Middleton Place is a Registered National Historic Landmark and the plantation home of the Middleton family since 1741. Stroll through the magnificent formal gardens (the oldest in America) laid out by Henry Middleton in 1741 and explore the stable yards, a living outdoor museum where the behind-the-scenes story of life on an 18th century plantation is told with animals, artifacts, and craft exhibits. Tour the remaining wing of the Middleton House furnished with heirlooms from the Middleton family. (Duration 4 Hours; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Extensive Walking; $42.00 per person)
Wed., Sept. 26, 2001, 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm
Wed., Oct. 3, 2001, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm

DRAYTON HALL PLANTATION TOUR

This tour winds down live oak canopied roads to Drayton Hall, c. 1738, considered the finest Georgian Palladian Plantation house in the South. The house has stood through the rise and fall of plantation society, survived devastating natural disaster, and remained intact in the face of modernization. Its amazing architecture and craftsmanship tell the story of a family and its community over two centuries. Your interpreter will bring this marvelous house and its family to life for you. While at Drayton Hall, you will also have an opportunity to stroll the garden walk with your guide and learn even more about life on an 18th-century plantation. (Duration 3 Hours; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Moderate Walking; $28 per person)
Thurs., Sept. 27, 2001, 9:00 am to 12:00 Noon
Wed., Oct. 3, 2001, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm

BOONE HALL PLANTATION TOUR

Journey across the Cooper River to the town of Mt. Pleasant. Here visit historic Boone Hall Plantation, which was used in the filming of the television mini series North and South and Queen, and for background filming in Gone with the Wind. Tour the lovely Georgian plantation house, the slave quarters built from brick made on the plantation in the 1800s, and watch the flower ladies making sweetgrass baskets. (Duration 2 1/2 Hours; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Minimal Walking; $29.00 per person)
Sat., Sept. 29, 2001, and Tues., Oct. 2, 2001
9:30 am to 12:00 noon and 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm

SPIRIT OF CAROLINA DINNER CRUISE

Cruise Charleston's beautiful harbor by moonlight aboard the 100-foot luxury yacht Spirit of Carolina. Enjoy the unique sights of the harbor at night as well as a delicious dinner in a romantic atmosphere. The view of the city and its church spires is fantastic from the water, and the sunsets are glorious. Live entertainment will be provided for your dancing pleasure. Alcoholic beverages are on your own. ($58.00 per person, includes round-trip transportation to dock)*
Sun., Sept. 30, and Tues., Oct. 2, 2001, 6:15 pm to 10:30 pm.
Duration of Actual Dinner Cruise — 3 Hours (7:00 PM to 10:00 PM)

A CARRIAGE RIDE INTO THE PAST

Enjoy the sights of Charleston the way our ancestors did, aboard a horse-drawn carriage. This leisurely ride through narrow streets and alleyways carries you past carefully restored 18th- and 19th-century homes and buildings. Your knowledgeable guide relates 300 years of history to the accompaniment of horse's hooves clopping along the pavement. The scent of tea olive from nearby gardens lingers in the air as you snap that special photograph capturing a bit of Charleston's history. After your carriage tour, spend some time shopping and browsing in the Old City Market and have dinner on your own at one of Charleston's finest restaurants. (Duration of Actual Carriage Tour — 1 Hour; $35.00 per person, includes round-trip transportation to the Old City Market)
Sat., Sept. 29, 2001, 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm*

PATRIOTS POINT AND OMAR SHRINE TEMPLE TOUR

Patriots Point is the world's largest naval and maritime museum. Visit the aircraft carrier Yorktown, the famous fighting lady of World War II; the destroyer Laffey, a participant in the World War II D-Day landings at Normandy; the submarine Clamagore, one of the Navy's last diesel-powered submarines; and the Coast Guard Cutter Ingham, which was in active service until decommissioned and given to Patriots Point in 1989. Complete the morning with lunch at Omar Shrine Temple, Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. (Duration 6 Hours; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Moderate Walking; $40.00 per person)
Sat., Sept. 29, 2001, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm

MAGNOLIA GARDENS TOUR

Tour Magnolia Gardens, one of the most beautiful romantic gardens in the world. These lush gardens were carved out of a cypress swamp by the Rev. John Drayton prior to the War Between the States. As you stroll the garden's well-worn paths, you will be entranced by the unique beauty which surrounds you. After touring the gardens, board the tram which will take you into part of the Audubon Swamp Garden, home to scores of water-loving creatures, traversed by boardwalks, dikes, and bridges to put the visitor in close contact with its inhabitants. You may even see an alligator and will have the opportunity to climb the Wildlife Tower to view the abundant bird population of the low country. (Duration 3 1/2 hours; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Moderate Walking; $35.00 per person)
Tues., Oct. 2, 2001, 8:30 am to 12:00 noon and 1:30 pm to 5:00 pm

CHARLESTON'S KINGDOM BY THE SEA

Tour Charleston's beautiful old historic district with a stop at the Joseph Manigault House, c. 1803, considered one of the finest Adamesque mansions in the country. View the lovely homes along the Battery built by wealthy rice and cotton planters between 1820 and 1850 and 18th-century Rainbow Row (1740–1800) with its brightly colored single houses which housed shops and homes when East Bay Street was right at the water's edge and the main street in Charleston. Also included in the tour are magnificent public buildings including Hibernian Hall, c. 1840, and the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon, c. 1771, which is considered one of the three most important buildings in the country from the Revolutionary period, stately churches, and many other points of interest. St. Michael's Church, completed in 1761, and the site of Shepheard's Tavern where the first Scottish Rite Supreme Council was formed on May 31, 1801, are hallmarks of this tour. (Duration 3 Hours; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Moderate Walking; $26.00 per person)
Wed., Sept. 26, 2001, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Thurs., Sept. 27, 2001, 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Sat., Sept. 29, 2001, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Thurs., Oct. 4, 2001, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm

SPOUSE TOURS

DISCOVER CHARLESTON'S UNIQUE HISTORIC DISTRICT

Tour Charleston, one of the most beautiful and historic cities in the South. Her stately homes with their lovely gardens, her magnificent public buildings, and her majestic churches will enchant you. As you tour, you will see the College of Charleston, Harleston Village (one of the early suburbs of the city), the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina and, of course, the famous Battery with its elegant town houses built by planters and merchants in the 18th and 19th centuries. St. Michael's Church, completed in 1761, and the site of Shepheard's Tavern where the first Scottish Rite Supreme Council was formed on May 31, 1801, are hallmarks of this tour. (Duration 2 1/2 Hours; Times To Be Assigned; Motor Coach Tour; Requires Minimal Walking; $18.00 per person)
Mon., Oct. 1, 2001, tour times to be assigned

CHARLESTON BY CARRIAGE

Enjoy the sights of Charleston the way your ancestors did, aboard a horse-drawn carriage. This leisurely ride through narrow streets and alleyways carries you past carefully restored 18th- and 19th-century homes and buildings. Your knowledgeable guide relates 300 years of history to the accompaniment of horses hooves clopping along the pavement. The scent of tea olive from nearby gardens lingers in the air as you snap that special photograph capturing a bit of Charleston's history. After your carriage tour, spend some time shopping and browsing in the Old City Market. Includes round trip transportation to the Market. (Duration 2 hours; $30.00 per person)
Mon., Oct. 1, 2001, , tour times to be assigned

WASHINGTON'S CHARLESTON WALK

Stroll with your guide down lovely streets and lanes and view the marvelous architecture of homes built more than a century ago. Peek into the exquisite private gardens of this quaint old city and breathe the aroma of tea olive and magnolia. On this tour, you will follow the steps of George Washington when he came on a state visit to Charleston in 1791. Included in the tour will be a visit to the Heyward–Washington House, c. 1772, where Washington stayed while he was in Charleston. This fine museum home houses the finest collection of Charleston-made furniture in the city and has one of the few kitchen houses still in its original state left in the city. To complete your experience, a brief stop will be made at St. Michael's Church, c. 1761, where Washington worshiped. Includes round-trip transportation to the Walking Tour. (Duration with round-trip transportation to the Market 3 1/2 hours; $30.00 per person)
Mon., Oct. 1, 2001, tour times to be assigned.

Due to the large number of spouses, times for all of these spouse tours will be assigned as reservations come in. All bus tours and transportation to the Walking and Carriage Tours will depart the North Charleston Convention Center only. All morning tours will be back at the Convention Center for lunch. Afternoon tours will not start until 1:30 pm.

The preceding prices are inclusive with the exception of a gratuity for the guide(s) and driver(s), which is left to the discretion of the group.

Beginning on Saturday, September 29, 2001, all tours will depart from and end at the North Charleston Convention Center. The tours offered before Sunday and after Wednesday will leave from a downtown location. Any tours which end after transportation to and from hotels has stopped running for the day will drop the passengers at their respective hotels.

Participants will be able to pay for their tours by check or credit card (Master Card, VISA, or American Express). They may mail or fax their payment to Erin Mellen, Charleston Convention and Group Services, Inc., PO Box 1118, Charleston, SC 29402, Tel. 1–843–722–2876, Fax 1–843–722–7133. In order to reserve seats on the tours, full payment is required by mid-August. A tour desk will be set up in a yet to be designated downtown area on Tuesday, September 25, through Friday or Saturday, September 28 or 29, and at the North Charleston Convention Center beginning on Sunday, September 30.

There are other tours available and other tour companies in Charleston. Because over 5,000 people are attending the celebration, the above is provided by Charleston Convention And Group Services, Inc., so that you can insure your space in advance.

We look forward to the events planned for Charleston, South Carolina, during the period September 29 to October 4, in celebration of the 200th anniversary of our Supreme Council's founding. See tour registration clip-out coupon below.

William G. Sizemore, Grand Cross served on active duty in the U.S. Navy from 1944 to 1982. Since 1989, he has served the Supreme Council as Grand Executive Director. He has been a Master Mason since 1948 and a member of the Scottish Rite since 1955. He is a Past Master and Past High Priest, R.A.M., and an active member of several Appendant Bodies and Masonic organizations.