In Magnolia Gardens

As tourists rediscovered America following World War I, cities like Charleston benefited greatly. The city and area plantations had fallen into disrepair, and Charlestonians explained that they were “too poor to paint, too proud to whitewash.” Tourism spurred urban preservation, while wealthy Northerners acquired ancient rice fields and converted them into hunting preserves.

Soon, tourist hotels were built, azalea festivals were promoted, and plantation gardens were opened. Magnolia Gardens was the earliest to welcome visitors, and artists found it to be a special haven. In an interview, Hutty stated: “although I loved the old town greatly, the magnificence of Middleton and Magnolia Gardens completely enthralled me.” This painting is an unusual and somewhat haunting image of a gnarled live oak draped in Spanish moss, which creates a kind of Gothic mood.