update: It WORKED!
Pleading that I am a poor graduate student worked!
The Middleton Estate gave my roommates, who were gracious enough to travel with me, and myself a student discount! Exploring the grounds only cost 10 dollars. I was willing to do that for a cool grave and a tour around the gorgeous Middleton Gardens. The Middleton Estate hosts the oldest maintained gardens in the United States, dating back to 1741. While walking through the gardens, I couldn't help but feel like I ought to be wearing an oversized dress, drinking tea, and playing croquet. I spent a Summer exploring Russia and these gardens most reminded me of the big European-style spreads that I saw outside of former royal palaces like Peterhof (although on a much smaller scale). My roommate said it reminded her of the grounds at Versailles. A Versailles of the swamp.
The Middleton Estate gave my roommates, who were gracious enough to travel with me, and myself a student discount! Exploring the grounds only cost 10 dollars. I was willing to do that for a cool grave and a tour around the gorgeous Middleton Gardens. The Middleton Estate hosts the oldest maintained gardens in the United States, dating back to 1741. While walking through the gardens, I couldn't help but feel like I ought to be wearing an oversized dress, drinking tea, and playing croquet. I spent a Summer exploring Russia and these gardens most reminded me of the big European-style spreads that I saw outside of former royal palaces like Peterhof (although on a much smaller scale). My roommate said it reminded her of the grounds at Versailles. A Versailles of the swamp.