Orient-Express has a collection of luxury hotels worldwide, including Charleston Place Hotel. To celebrate the distinctive cities that surround each property, Orient-Express asked hotels to produce something that translates the spirit of the city into an authentic and meaningful experience. Charleston Place knew exactly how it would capture the essence of Charleston, through some of the city’s greatest and most influential people.

Charleston is one of the oldest cities in the South, filled with a rich and unique history dating back to the 1700’s. Since then, many great people have blessed Charleston with their presence and helped to shape it into the city we know and love today.

To spotlight just a few of the notable people who greatly enriched the Holy City, Charleston Place Hotel showcases the portraits of 22 legendary characters. While some of these well-known individuals are current Charlestonians, many lived long ago; but their mark on Charleston still remains.

The Hasel Street entranceway of Charleston Place is outlined with images of these historic figures. However, this “hall of fame” not only contains portraits, but also provides a way to experience that person’s history today. Booklets can be found alongside the display, which give detailed backgrounds on each individual and a way to celebrate that character in Charleston.

Just to name a few:

Thomas Pinckney (portrait right) was born in Charleston and fought in both the American Revolution and the War of 1812. An influential political figure, Pickney served as the 36th Governor of South Carolina. The statesman died in Charleston and is buried at St.Philip’s Episcopal Church.

Experience it today: You can visit Thomas Pinckey’s grave at St. Philips Episcopal Church. This historic church also houses the oldest congregation in South Carolina. And during the civil war, its bells were melted down into confederate cannons.

Pat Conroy is a New York Times best selling author and one of Charleston’s favorite sons. His best known novels include: The Great Santini, The Prince of Tides and most recently, South of Broad. Conroy is a South Carolina Hall of Fame inductee and has received the Order of the Palmetto, the state’s highest civilian honor.

Experience it today: See historic Charleston through the eyes of Conroy and the characters of his latest novel with a South of Broad walking tour by Old Charleston Walking Tours.

Septima Poinsette Clark (portrait bottom right), a Charleston native, was an educator, civil rights activist and has been called the “Grandmother of the American Civil Rights Movement.” Dealing with inequalities in the school system led her to become active in the movement for civil rights.

Experience it today: You can learn more about Clark’s struggle by visiting the Avery Reasearch Center for African-American History and Culture at the College of Charleston.

See these three figures and more, in the Hasel Street entrance of Charleston Place and experience Charleston’s most legendary individuals for yourself.

Charleston is known for its preppy style, southern charm and gorgeous ocean views. So it is no surprise that every spring, the city holds a sailing race week on the blue ocean that frames the Charleston peninsula. The Sperry Top-Sider Charleston Race Week is a fun, challenging and exciting race that tests a skipper’s skills. The event starts today and ends this Sunday with an awards ceremony.

While the event kicks off on Thursday, the real race begins on Friday at 8:30am when sailors venture the offshore courses. After their departure you will see a flock of sails roll out onto the Cooper River. This year, 296 boats are registered at the hopes of proving their sailing skills. Boat captains consist of everything from regular Joes to sailing Pros, including three-time Olympic medalist, Mark Reynolds.

Quite possibly one of the best parts of this four-day event is that every night follows with a beach party.  Located at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, the party consists of Gosling’s Rum, a harbor view, live music and what is sure to be a darn good time! Among some local artist playing this week will be our very own Calvin Taylor who can be seen playing a few nights a week at the Thoroughbred Club.

If you are looking to fit in to the styles of Charleston Race Week, we do have a few suggestions for you.

1)   Dress like you’re a sailor. No, the captain hat can stay at home unless you are actually sailing the seas, but do wear light colors. Skippers tend to wear white in order to stay cool under the rays of the sun.

2)   Wear boating shoes. We suggest Sperry Top-Siders, first of all, they are practical for hitting the seas and secondly, they are very fashionable and come in various colors that are sure to meet your fancy. You can also pick up your own pair at their store within The Shops at Charleston Place.

3)   Bring a raincoat or windbreaker. There is a chance of rain this weekend, and in typical sailor fashion, you too may be splashed with a little bit of water. However, it might make you feel like you are also out there braving the fierce seas!

Whether you are watching from Patriots Point in Mt. Pleasant or from the shoreline of the Charleston peninsula, you are sure to see what is going to be another great Charleston Race Week.

She Crab Soup has been a Southern signature dish for decades, bringing warm, rich flavor to kitchen tables throughout Charleston. While local restaurants offer their own versions, this rich and filling soup traditionally consists of heavy cream, blue crab meat and crab roe (eggs) with dry sherry often added as it is plated.

Large numbers of Scottish immigrants began settling in Charleston during the 1700s.  One traditional dish they brought with them was partan-bree, a crab and rice soup. The settlers began to adjust their recipe to incorporate blue crabs because of the abundance in the area.  This Scottish soup served as a starting point, but She Crab Soup as we know it today was not developed until the early 1900s.  As the story goes, R. Goodwyn Rhett, Mayor of Charleston, was entertaining President Taft at his home.  The Rhett’s butler, William Deas, was asked to create a fancier version of their traditional crab soup.  He added the orange-hued crab eggs of mature female crabs, called “she crabs” by fishermen, to give color and improve the flavor, thus inventing the Charleston delicacy known as She Crab Soup.

This delightful and smooth seafood soup is sure to impress your friends and family, try to recreate the Palmetto Cafe’s She Crab Soup with Sherry, or come in and try it for yourself!

Traditional She Crab Soup with Sherry, from the Palmetto Cafe

In a heavy gauge pan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the flour and cook the mixture constantly stirring to a golden straw color (appx. 7 minutes). Add the onion, celery, thyme and bay leaf and continue cooking for another 10 minutes. Add the milk, cream and half of the lobster stock. Cook 20 minutes. Add the minced crab roe to the remaining lobster stock and combine it with the sherry. Add this mixture along with the nutmeg and seasonings to the rest of the soup. Cook for 10 minutes. Add the crabmeat and cook an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh crabmeat mixed with chopped thyme. This recipe serves 6 to 8 people, bon appétit!