College of Charleston

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.”