On February 25th - February 27th, Surry Early College High School of Design took forty-seven students on a tour of Charleston, South Carolina. While in Charleston, the students visited the Magnolia Plantation where the students traversed the sprawling wetlands and forests of the estate, observing local wildlife and the unique ecosystem of the river. The group explored the "From Slavery to Freedom" tour, which uses restored slave dwellings to tell the lived stories of the enslaved people who built and maintained the grounds. A guided tour of the main house provided a look at the architectural evolution of the site and the lifestyle of the Drayton family across centuries.
Another place visited on this trip included the South Carolina Aquarium where they explored regional biodiversity and marine conservation efforts. At Patriot’s Point the students investigated naval history and aviation technology. On the USS Yorktown they toured the massive “Fighting Lady” aircraft carrier, a feat of mid-century engineering. Next was the Charleston Harbor Boat Tour that offered students a unique view of the city’s battery, historic fortresses, the impressive Ravenel Bridge, a masterclass in structural aesthetics, and was capped with a beautiful Charleston sunset. Their final stop was the Charleston Museum, America's first museum, where they saw artifacts ranging from the Revolution to the Civil War.