Miss Sally Reahard

Drayton Hall, 1934. Photo taken by Miss Sally Reahard.

For some individuals, a place leaves an impression. That was certainly the case for Indiana native Sally Reahard, whose single visit of Drayton Hall changed the course of the site forever. Throughout her 95-year lifetime, “Miss Sally”, as she was affectionately known, gave millions of dollars in charitable donations to nonprofits in Indiana, Michigan, and South Carolina. Upon visiting Drayton Hall in the 1930s, Miss Sally was inspired by its Palladian architecture, preserved state, and position on the Ashley River.

Miss Sally Reahard on the steps of Drayton Hall c. 1940.

“The house was like a ghost of the past, standing so far from the world in that silent seclusion… Over the years I kept hoping, feeling sure, that someone would come along to rescue this unique place, restore it…I feel that I must do all that I can until a new friend some day may be found.” – Sally Reahard

An avid reader and life-long learner, Miss Sally was passionate about conservation and historic preservation. Recognizing the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the city she loved, she made a significant bequest to Drayton Hall. Realized in the early 2000s, “Miss Sally’s gift changed our business model and allowed us to expand the staff.  We were so very appreciative of her generosity,” says Paula Marion, CFO of Drayton Hall for twenty-five years.

More recently, Drayton Hall, along with South Carolina Historical Society and other local nonprofits, was the beneficiary of a significant estate gift from local historic preservationist Roy Williams. A quiet supporter of Drayton Hall for more than 40 years along with his wife Bonnie, Mr. Williams was passionate about its mission to foster a deeper understanding of South Carolina history. “Planned gifts, like the tremendous contributions from Roy Williams and Sally Reahard, have the ability to transform non-profit organizations, ensuring they not only survive, but thrive for generations to come. It takes great passion to make a legacy gift, and I am grateful for the vision shown by donors like Mr. Williams, Miss Sally, and Trustee Emeritus Michael Prevost,” says President and CEO Carter C. Hudgins, Ph.D.

Moved by its Palladian architecture, centuries of resilience, and place in the Ashley River Historic District, Mr. Prevost also chose to provide for Drayton Hall in his will. “It was my 9-year tenure on the Drayton Hall Board of Trustees that informed me personally of Drayton Hall’s significance and inspired Ginny and I to a planned gift commitment. We feel it is imperative to conserve Drayton Hall as a National Historic Landmark as well as the surrounding Ashley River Landscape as one of the finest examples of Whole Place Conservation in America and sincerely hope our commitment will similarly inspire others.”

Charlotta Drayton (1884–1969), John Drayton’s great niece and sixth-generation Drayton owner of Drayton Hall, is remembered as an early preservationist of Drayton Hall. It is in her honor that the Charlotta D. Drayton Legacy Society is named. Thanks to the vision and memories of all of Drayton Hall’s descendants, caretakers, and preservationists we continue to learn from the site today. The impact of the foresight shown by individuals like Charlotta, Richmond Bowens, and Miss Sally is in the knowledge we now have of Drayton Hall. It is in the questions we continue to raise and the discoveries we have yet to make.

If you wish to learn more about the Charlotta D. Drayton Legacy Society and planned giving at Drayton Hall, Director of Philanthropy Halley Cella Erickson would be honored to answer any questions you have. You may reach her directly at 843-769-2601 or herickson@draytonhall.org.