Middleton Place hosts interactive ink-and-quill workshop as part of 250th programming
from Staff Reports
In a time when texts, emails, and keyboards dominate daily life, one of the Lowcountry’s most historic sites is inviting visitors to slow things down—way down—and put pen to paper the way America’s founders once did.
As part of its ongoing programming commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, Middleton Place will host a special hands-on workshop, “Ink & Quill Writing,” on Saturday, April 11, from noon to 2 p.m.
The drop-in style experience offers guests a chance to step into the past and try writing with a quill and ink—the primary tools used during the Revolutionary era. Long before ballpoint pens or laptops, these simple instruments were responsible for documenting some of the most pivotal moments in American history. From patriot correspondence and loyalist letters to Brit-ish proclamations promising freedom, ink and quill served as the medium through which ideas, alliances, and arguments were recorded and shared.
At Middleton Place, visitors will be able to experiment with this historic writing method firsthand, gaining a deeper appreciation for both the craftsmanship and patience required. The act itself—dipping a quill, carefully forming each letter—offers a tactile connection to the past that goes beyond what can be read in textbooks or displayed behind glass.
The program is designed to be accessible and informal, allowing guests to come and go throughout the two-hour window while exploring the property’s broader Revolutionary-era programming.
Admission to the workshop is included with general entry to Middleton Place and is free for members.
As the nation approaches its semiquincentennial, events like this offer a reminder that history isn’t just something to observe—it’s something you can experience, one handwritten word at a time.
Ink & Quill Writing will be held Saturday, April 11, from 12–2 p.m. at Middleton Place, located at 4300 Ashley River Road. The drop-in program is included with general admission and free for members. For more information, visit www.middletonplace.org.
