Gertrude and Sidney purchased Medway Plantation in the spring of 1930 after stumbling across it during a countryside horseback ride. They took on the task of restoring the historic plantation even though Medway had no heat, no electricity, and no running water. This post shows just a small amount of the materials held in the College of Charleston’s collection, including archaeological surveys, staff lists, Medway Timber Company materials, and more.
Realtor’s posting for Medway, listing the plantation for $100,000.
Realtor’s photo, undated 1929-1930
Realtor’s photos, undated 1929-1930
Realtor’s photo, undated 1929-1930
“Reasons for and against Purchase of Medway,” holograph on envelope, undated 1929 (written by Sidney or Gertrude Legendre)
Interior renovation pencil sketch, undated 1930
Staff list with days worked and amounts paid, 1931 May 21. The Gourdine family maintained the grounds for over three generations
Dinner list for December 13th (year not noted)
Medway game book (front cover), 1934-1961. Includes date, hunters, location, game hunted, and remarks.
Medway game book interior. When away from Medway during World War II, Gertrude marked pages “WAR!!” in red pencil and captioned, “Sidney joined navy and went to Pacific; Gertie joined OSS, was sent to Europe and was taken prisoner by Germans 26 Sept 1944, escaped March 22, 1945.”
Correspondence from Thomas A. Edison’s Ediphone Service Company, 1937 March 29.
Bing Crosby often visited Medway and enjoyed going on shooting trips with Gertrude and friends. Photo from “Medway 1966” album.
Toni Frissell portrait of Gertrude and family at Medway, undated 1941-1949.
The following are photos from an archaeological survey and sampling project at Medway’s Back River/Pine Grove area in 1992.
Archaeological dig at Medway, undated 1992.
The dig site, undated 1992
Beginning excavation, undated 1992
Specimens discovered, undated
Specimens discovered, undated
Photos of luncheon and demonstration held for Medway Timber Company.
Presentation in the “Trophy Room” at Medway, undated 1955-1956
“Bucking pulp tops – poles peeled in woods,” undated 1955-1956
Demonstrations, undated 1955-1956
Worker with harvested logs, undated 1955-1956
Timber Company luncheon on the lawn at Medway, undated 1955-1956