Steps Thru Time
Where to see more South Carolina history
Dr. Walter Edgar—historian, author and barbecue judge—recommends these important South Carolina historic sites.
Old Slave Mart, Charleston Now a museum, the state’s last known slave auction house. oldslavemart.org, 843-958-6467
Kershaw-Cornwallis House, Camden Lord Cornwallis scored major victories here and headquartered in this home. historic-camden.net, 803-432-9841
Redcliffe Plantation, Beech Island The home of Sen. James Henry Hammond, who famously proclaimed “Cotton Is King” in Congress. House, slave-cabin tours, heirloom garden. SouthCarolinaParks.com, 843-852-4200
Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, Charleston The Carolinas’ first permanent European settlement. Museum, history trails, animal forest. SouthCarolinaParks.com, 843-852-4200
Woodrow Wilson Family Home, Columbia Childhood home of President Woodrow Wilson, including the bed in which he was born. historiccolumbia.org, 803-252-7742
C.S.S. Hunley, North Charleston Plucked from the ocean floor in 2000, the Confederate States Submarine Hunley, considered the first to sink an enemy ship, rests in a museum. hunley.org, 877-448-6539
Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, McClellanville President George Washington stood on the mansion’s porch in 1791. Now visitors can, too. SouthCarolinaParks.com, 843-546-9361
Burt-Stark Mansion, Abbeville Fleeing south, President Jefferson Davis led the final cabinet meeting of the Confederacy in its parlor. burt-stark.com, 864-366-0166
Snee Farm, Mt. Pleasant Snee Farm belonged to Charles Pinckney, a signer of the US Constitution. Gullah programs, including sweetgrass basket making, are featured. nps.gov/chpi, 843-881-5516
Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon, Charleston Animatronic pirate stories in a 1771 jail and customshouse. oldexchange.org, 843-727-2165
Stumphouse Tunnel, Walhalla Located in a Blue Ridge mountain, the tunnel was to connect Charleston to Knoxville, but the Civil War stopped work. Now it’s more than 1,000 feet long and open to the public. oconeecountry.com/stumphouse, 864-888-1488
Musgrove Mill State Historic Site, Clinton A fierce battle between Patriots and Loyalists occurred here in 1780. Visitors center, river walk. SouthCarolinaParks.com, 864-938-0100
Rivers Bridge State Historic Site, Bamberg Still-intact earthen fortifications at this secluded site speak silently to fierce resistance met by Sherman’s forces as they entered South Carolina. SouthCarolinaParks.com, 803-267-3675
Brookgreen Gardens/Atalaya, Murrells Inlet Atalaya “castle” at what is now Huntington Beach State Park was winter home to sculptor/philanthropist Anna Hyatt and Archer Huntington. Brookgreen Gardens contains the nation’s largest outdoor sculpture collection. brookgreen.org, 843-235-6000; SouthCarolinaParks.com, 843-237-4440
Hunting Island Lighthouse, Hunting Island Built in 1875 to replace one destroyed by retreating Confederates, the lighthouse stands 132 feet and is the only in the state open to the public. SouthCarolinaParks.com, 843-838-2011