Published: March 01. 2010 2:00AM

All this talk about home and garden brings to mind one of the most enduring homes in the Upstate. Whitehall, seen here, was built in 1813 by Henry Middleton on what would become Earle Street. This Lowcountry planter and his large family were anxious to escape from their Ashley River plantation to a healthier climate in the summer months. Middleton, who was born in London, may have taken the name from that section of government buildings in London that stretch from Trafalgar Square to Parliament Square. In 1820, Whitehall became the property of George Washington Earle, who left it to his daughter, Eugenia Earle Stone. Her descendants have continued to occupy the residence.