Henry Middleton is born at The Oaks plantation near Goose Creek, SC. The second son of Arthur and Sarah Middleton, Henry’s early life is largely unknown.

Henry married Mary Williams (1721-1761), the only daughter and heiress of John Williams, a wealthy landowner. Mary’s dowry included his house and the land that was to become Middleton Place. It was in that same year that Henry began to plan and build his grand garden.

Henry and Mary’s first child, Arthur is born. Mary would bear Henry six more children who would survive to adulthood.

Flankers were built on the north and south sides of the main house to meet the needs of Henry’s growing family. The North Flanker housed a library, collected art works and a music room. The South Flanker, which survived and today serves as a House Museum, was built as plantation offices and gentlemen’s guest quarters.

Henry’s wife, Mary Williams, died and was buried in the gardens at the site of the present Middleton Place Tomb.

Mary Izard Middleton, wife of Arthur, gives birth in London to their first child, Henry, named after his grandfather

The first Henry Middleton, long active in South Carolina political circles, is elected the second President of the First Continental Congress.

Arthur is elected to succeed his father as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. In that capacity he was one of four South Carolina signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Famed French botanist André Michaux brought Arthur Middleton the first Camellia Japonica to be planted in America. Originally situated in the four corners of the Parterre, one of the plants survives to this day.

Williams Middleton is born to Henry and Mary Helen Hering Middleton. He would inherit Middleton Place upon his father’s death in 1846.

Henry Middleton is appointed as America’s Minister Plenipotentiary to Russia by President James Monroe. He would serve in that capacity in St. Petersburg for the entire decade of the 1820s. His son, Williams, was his personal secretary from 1827-1830.

An upper level was added to the Spring House (originally built in the early 18th century). The room was soon being used as a chapel and Sunday school for slave children.

Williams Middleton built the Mill and dammed up the Mill Pond as part of an expansion of the Gardens that also included the introduction of azaleas, roses and tea olives.

Williams Middleton signs the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession, helping to dissolve the Union his grandfather and great-grandfather helped to build.

Just two months prior to the Confederate surrender at Appomattox, the House, outbuildings and Gardens were put to the torch by Union troops.

The South Flanker, the least damaged of the residential complex, was restored and enlarged to serve as the Middleton family’s primary residence. New housing built for freedmen was also added at this time, including present-day Eliza’s House.

Charleston’s Great Earthquake brought down the gutted walls of the main house and North Flanker and severely damaged the Gardens.

J.J. Pringle Smith, a direct descendant of the first Henry Middleton, inherits Middleton Place from his childless cousin Elizabeth Middleton, who owned the plantation following the death of her father, Williams Middleton in 1883.

J.J. and his wife, Heningham, move to Middleton Place and begin restoration of the Gardens.

A Guesthouse (the present day Restaurant), the Plantation Stableyards and the Rice Mill Pond Bridge were constructed.

The Garden Club of America awards its highest honor, the Bulkley Medal, to Middleton Place and declared it to be the most important and interesting garden in America.

The Stableyards opened as a living outdoor museum of African American history and culture.

Middleton Place is designated a National Historic Landmark.

After serving as a Middleton family residence until the year prior, the South Flanker opened as a house museum under the aegis of the Middleton Place Foundation, which was established in 1974.

The entire National Historic Landmark is given to the Middleton Place Foundation, which was established in 1974.

The Inn at Middleton Place is opened to guests and, in 1987, received the American Institute of Architects highest award.

Celebrating African-American heritage, Eliza’s House, a freedmen’s dwelling built in 1870, is opened to the public.

Demonstration rice field planted with Carolina Gold Rice.

Beyond the Fields, Slavery at Middleton Place permanent exhibit opened in Eliza’s House.