Historic Carriage Ride Tours of Charleston, South Carolina

Carriage Drivers and Staff

Our philosophy at Palmetto Carriage Works is that our employees make the tour. From the ground crew that assists in the carriage loading to the guide that gives you your tour, our personnel is the most experienced in the industry. Most all carriage companies will tell you that their guides are the best. That is an arbitrary statement that is best left to you, the customer, to decide after your tour. I can tell you that the carriage tour guides at Palmetto have more years of carriage driving experience than any in the industry. I have been personally driving a carriage for over 25 years, longer than anyone else in Charleston. Much of our tour is derived from our years of experience.

David Roach – tour guide since 1983

David Roach wears many hats at Palmetto Carriage Works.  His specialties include Ansonborough and Charleston’s Egyptian influence.  A former interior designer, Roach has an eye for hidden Charleston gems and showing tourists a side of Charleston not normally seen on tour.  Always up for a good chat, Roach can entertain anyone.

Myron Pstrak – tour guide since 1983

Specialties: Civil War and 20th century cultural history. As a military brat, Myron grew up all over the world. A graduate of the College of Charleston, Myron works full time at the Medical University of South Carolina in addition to driving a carriage. Myron is an avid traveller across the US and throughout the world.

 

Eric Klatt – tour guide since 1998

Eric can fake a lowcountry accent better than anyone.  Originally a carriage driver in Beaufort, Eric moved to Charleston, married the owner’s daughter, and is now not only a tour guide but he helps train new animals as well.

Jodie Shearer - tour guide since 2000

Palmetto’s very own Ellen Degeneres (according to her tourists), Jodie is quick-witted and full of bad jokes.  A Michigan transplant, Jodie’s tour is full of information about churches, houses, and history.  As an experienced driver as well as tour guide, Jodie helps train new animals and has proved herself tough and reliable, able to tackle the toughest animals.

Jackie Tremblay – tour guide since 2008

Jackie’s tour is a mixed bag of tricks – from women’s history to architecture, natural disasters and horticulture, or Revolutionary and Civil War history, Jackie always keeps things interesting, delighting new and repeat customers alike.  Although from Vermont, she now has trouble keeping warm through even the mildest of South Carolina winters and proudly considers herself a “Southern Fried Yankee.”

Mark Jones – tour guide since 2001

In addition to being a tour guide, Mark Jones is a published author with four books about the other side Charleston's history.  Mark's obsession with the dark side of Charleston is also evident through his company Black Cat Tours, which features evening Wicked Walk and Haunted Charleston tours

 

Bob Jones – tour guide since 2002

Although born in Charleston, Bob’s parents are Yankee transplants so he does not have an accent.  Bob gives a fantastic tour, from the architecture in the city to life on the plantation, Charleston’s economy through the years, and the military history of the area.  In his spare time, Bob appreciates cinematic productions through the ages.

Andrew DiRusso – tour guide since 2008

Andrew’s dedication goes far beyond being a punctual employee and a fantastic tour guide.  He’s tattooed a team of mules on his leg to show his enthusiasm for his job and devotion to Palmetto (we didn’t make him get it, we swear!)  Andrew’s commitment also extends to his country, where he is a Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic in the Army Reserve.  If he’s got this much heart for job and country, you can be sure you’re going to get a great tour.

Jennifer McCormick – tour guide since 2008

Being a tour guide came natural to Jenny since she loves to be on stage.  With a double major in theatre and communications, Jenny specializes in social customs and dress, and theatre and music history of Charleston.  If you’re ever on tour with Jenny, request a song from any Broadway show, and she won’t disappoint!
 

Adam Loften – tour guide since 2003

Originally from Wisconsin, Adam moved south and never looked back.  As a history graduate from the College of Charleston, Adam enjoys speaking about Charleston architecture and preservation efforts.  In addition to being a coin collector, Adam, enjoys long walks on the beach, baseball games, and anyone with dogs.  Ladies, don’t get too attached – he’s taken!

Terri Wilkinson – tour guide since 2004

Although she might look small, Terri can fight with the best of them.  From training new animals to maneuvering her way through the smallest streets of Charleston, Terri is feisty and spirited.  She enjoys talking about the beautiful churches in the Holy City on tour.  Despite being a dedicated tour guide, Terri considers being “Nana” to her grandchildren her most satisfying job (Awww.)

Shaun Garrison– tour guide since 2003

An aspiring attorney, Shaun is a member of the South Carolina BAR.  Shaun loves the Civil War and the pirate history of Charleston.

Matthew Toomy – tour guide since 2001

Matthew always says he’s a barnhand at heart – not only is he a fantastic tour guide, he loves the animals dearly.  While on tour, he enjoys touring the French Quarter, speaking about the Walled Fortifications of Charleston, and Charleston’s West Indian Connection.  As a visual artist, Matthew is a specialist in oil paintings and Palmetto’s many animals are often a muse for his works.

Al Mixson – tour guide since 2009

A real estate broker for 30 years, Al chose carriage tours as a retirement job.  He loves touring down the Battery and Meeting Street areas, full of historic homes and buildings, and teaching tourists about the history and architecture of Charleston.  Al is an avid hunter in his free time.

Jim Brain – tour guide since 2002

Jim, or Brain, as he is affectionately called at Palmetto, specializes in Charleston’s early history, and travelling through Ansonborough, Charleston’s oldest suburb, dating back to 1740.  If he’s not doing tours, you might see Brain decked out in a tuxedo, driving a white horse and carriage through town with a newlywed couple in the back.  When not working, he enjoys sailing in the Charleston Harbor.

Ron Millings – tour guide since 1995

As a United States Coast Guard veteran, Ron retired from working on submarines as an electrical planner and estimator.  Not content with retirement, Ron graduated from the College of Charleston in 1995 and then got his tour guide license.  Born and raised in Charleston, Ron has a wide variety of interests in the area, including Charleston’s early history, building structures, and the people who shaped the formation  and expansion of the city.

Winston Helms – tour guide since 2010

One of our newest guides, Winston is a former history teacher and soccer coach.  His love for history has carried over into his enthusiasm for being a tour guide.  Winston loves his wife and daughter, Katie-Claire and the South Carolina Gamecocks.  In his free time, he referees soccer for a local league.

Ed Heston – tour guide since 2001

A Harrison Ford persona, exemplified by his hat, hair cut, and swagger serve him well on the streets of Charleston and make him one of our most requested guides. Be it recounting an historic tale, or verbally thrashing a rude Charlestonian, Ed is truly the man for the moment. An avid photographer, his post cards of Charleston and Savannah are available everywhere. He knows the city and its history and delivers a great tour.

Bunny – the voice of Palmetto since 1985

Bunny is the Palmetto Carriage Voice on the phone. She mans our ticket office in The Rainbow Market at 40 N. Market St.  Additionally, Bunny handles most of the bookings of our private carriages, group specials, and weddings. Even though she is a licensed tour guide, Bunny has never given a tour (too shy). Her personal attention to customer service is one of the reasons carriage customers use our services repeatedly. A survivor of both cancer and a near fatal waterskiing accident, Bunny is a proven odds beater so it's pretty safe bet she'll arrange a great carriage experience for you.

George the Greeter

A Palmetto mainstay since 2003, George greets our customers and makes sure that you have a great tour.  Always looking to help save you money, George hands out a packet of coupons for local restaurants and is always ready to chat.  George can usually be found wearing a straw hat of some kind, from a Mexican sombrero to a cowboy hat.  Don’t hesitate to ask George for anything except a ride.

Parking Lot Jim

Jim Langston runs an efficient parking lot in front of our barn, expertly monitoring spaces and signing up customers.  If you’re driving down, he might be the first Palmetto face you see.  Jim says there’s not too much about him to tell, but he’s a retired motorcycle racer and has survived 4 heart attacks, so if you find him when you pull in to our lot, you’re guaranteed to be in good hands.  Currently, Jim runs a non-profit called the “Smile of Child,” giving opportunities to children with serious illnesses.  For more information, visit http://www.jimlangston.com. 

Barn Staff

Behind the good looking animals at Palmetto Carriage Works is an even better looking barn staff.  With eleven full time employees in the summer, the experience and dedication of the crew can be seen in how healthy the animals look while working.  If you have any animal questions while you’re visiting us, just ask any barn hand and they’ll be happy to tell you about the behind-the-scenes part of our operation.

Shop Crew

Our ticket shop in the barn can get rather busy, but these ladies excel in organization and customer service.  In addition to selling tickets, they also book privates and coordinate schedules, offer advice on good restaurants around town, sell ice cold water on a hot summer’s day, and point our patrons in the direction of our restrooms.