BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–Built in 1852, Gippy Plantation is full of rich history and fascinating stories. Now the current owner hopes its more than century old history is enough to land on a major U.S. registry.
From 1927-1971 it was the site of “Gippy Dairy” which supplied milk products to schools and companies throughout the lowcountry.
“In the 1950’s era, it was the site of Lancing tournaments which was a great recreational sport. It attracted people from all over the state and was important to the social activity of Berkeley County citizens,” stated BJ Rodgers, the realtor for the property. “When going through the research that was done for the registry, I found interesting information about the “blue coats” coming through the property, too.”
According to Rodgers, it is the hope that Gippy will ultimately be listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the United States federal government’s official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation.
“This is a very lengthy process that could take up to several years. This was started well over a year ago,” stated Rodgers. “The next annual gathering takes place in April and a decision with formal announcements will be made at that time. This is the last stage of the process.”
While the current owner, Frederick Le Clercq of Charleston, waits to learn the property’s fate, he is also hoping to sale it. Rodgers says Le Clercq had ties to the plantation and purchased it from him in January 2013.
“His (late) wife Anne “Angie” Sinkler Whaley Le Clercq spent summers as a child at the plantation when it was owned by her uncle Nicholas G. Roosevelt,” explained Rodgers. “It held many precious 
memories for Angie. She knew so much about the property and hired a historian to research and provide facts and figures that would be presented to the State Historic Preservation office.”
Angie passed away in June 2014 at the age of 72. She and her husband originally bought the property to have as their “getaway home.” Since her passing, her husband has placed the property back on the market for potential buyers.
“It would be a marvelous museum for Berkeley County to add to their real estate for preservation, but I don’t think that is in their budget. It is listed at $1,400,000,” stated Rodgers.
The 6,528 square foot plantation sits on nearly five acres of land and comes equipped with seven 
bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms and a guest cottage.
“The formal gardens were constructed by Angie’s uncle in approximately 1928. He had the home restored and modernized to his taste. The formal gardens is believed to be the work of the acclaimed 20th century landscape architect Loutrel Briggs,” stated Rodgers.
The plantation’s name is said to come from an old runaway slave who hid in “Gippy Swamp” in a hollow tree.
In 1982, Gippy was selected for the filming of several scenes for the movie Lords of Discipline.
To learn more about the property, click here.
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