Springfield Plantation The temporary melancholy, now driven away by the light and warm wood, we were delighted to find that unlike most attractionsSpringfield Plantation in the area, our host had no objections to photographs with or without flash, nor did he have any restrictions on touching things as he would often pick up some antique or picture and hand it to us to be examined, while he expounded on its place in history. We found ourselves caught up in the energy of our host  as he explained in short energized statements that few people realize that most very early buildings do not retain their original interiors, having been remodeled through the years. But Springfield remains almost entirely original, including the magnificent Georgian-Adams-Federal woodwork and mantels, hand carved in Virginia in the 18th century. As he took us through the rooms which had seen so much history, where from the upstairs gallery, we could see the vast Springfield Plantation remaining Springfield Plantation 1000 acres stretched out in all directions. A sight that has remained almost unchanged for the past few centuries, he explained that Springfield is still a working plantation after more than two centuries, while still reflecting the beauty, elegance and romance of the Colonial South during the colorful days of Spanish rule. Springfield's oldest remaining slave quarter house has been restored and a visit down the old "quarter road" is a most interesting and beautiful walk.

 Springfield is in reconstruction with much of the work still to be done. Arthor, who has been living in the house for almost a decade, has done much of the work himself, as he Springfield Plantation has an agreement with the owners that he can live in the house for as long as he wishes. Springfield Plantation But he is concerned that there is no one to take his place and fears that the house will once again fall into disrepair after he dies. As we watched and listened, he would wander from subject to subject, telling us about the days when he rebuilt antique trains for a living. There are some pretty interesting memorabilia from the old train era, displayed on the second floor. A staunch defender of the French and the period of time France dominated the area,  he proudly displays an assortment of antique flags from an variety of times and places dealing with theSpringfield Plantation area. His depiction of the history of early America is like nothing we had ever heard, as he explained the existence of the fourteenth and fifteenth colonies and the existence of West Florida. Springfield Plantation His small office in the back of the house is a display room for the many articles he has written on history, including a letter he wrote to the Queen of England setting forth certain historical beliefs and establishing plausible proof there in, and the response he received. It was Laura that first made the connection between the many paintings displayed on the walls and our delightful host.  The small "LaSalle" in the lower right corner of each offering said it all. When asked, he admitted that most of the paintings had been done by him, and spanned many years. He was particularly fond of the one of his sons. It was from he, that we learned of the destination of our next adventure, the Ghost Town of Rodney several miles away. We left in the dark, the day's light having long since passed. In driving away I wondered about the loneliness of the surroundings and if I would ever have been able to exist on such things as dreams are made of. . . .

 ***THE END***

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