We came here on a Friday afternoon and the history center was opened until 4 PM. Two of the…read morevolunteers there were very friendly and very knowledgeable about the history of the area. We watched a 25 minute video of the history of the fort and the war. There is a sheltered picnic area and a natural path to the beach.

The general motion of travel around here will be from Beaufort to the ocean, which is Hunting…read moreIsland State Park. However, this detour is interesting. There is a separate parking area, from which one walks to the historic fort. It certainly looks cool, and signage explains the context. There is a visitor center which was closed when I was there on a holiday, but to their credit they left the bathrooms open and it was a very nice modern facility. The fort is a prelude to a beach however; it's not the ocean beach but it is quite a nice view and the very light waves are safe for those who don't want the ocean. There are residences lining the area with signage very strictly telling visitors to keep to the beach and not go on anyone's yard. But the public area is free and is worth visiting.

This was a great stop, and honestly, it was a spontaneous decision, but I'm glad we made the visit…read more Take some time to read the informational signs and really reflect on the history of the space. The ruins are of a plantation home and slave quarters dating back to 1793, with a deep and complex history tied to the Civil War era. Rumor has it that there are ghost sightings here, adding a mysterious vibe to the site. The ruins offer a poignant glimpse into the past, and it's a meaningful place to pause and consider the stories of those who once lived and worked there. It's a small site, but full of historical significance, and definitely worth a quick detour during your trip. Visiting the ruins adds depth to your understanding of the island's history and the legacy of the Civil War era in the Lowcountry. It's a powerful reminder of the area's complex past and makes for an interesting, reflective stop.

This was a unique activity, it was really interesting and not difficult to get to. Overall it took…read moreabout 30 minutes for the entire thing! Definitely worth seeing!

Amazing experience! My husband and I got an impromptu tour from Russ who volunteers as a museum…read moreguide. Russ is very knowledgeable! He walked us through each and every stand and told us a lot of fun stories. We got to ask lots of questions and got them all answered. Best and most personalized museum experience ever!

What a cool place, walking distance from downtown and our B&B. Our docent, Tom Kelley, really knew…read morehis history of the area and was engaging throughout our tour. Learning about the town you visit is always important to us, so the tour was right up our alley. Very cool place and visitor center onsite offers loads of information about the area from things to do, places to see and great restaurants. I loved hearing about the history of Beaufort and if you want to learn something, this is definitely the place to go! It looks like a castle as you come down the street and the folks there are most welcoming. They can also schedule walking tours or golfcart tours for you for another time. Make sure you say hello to Jenny & Chris in the visitor center and tell Tom we've been talking about his tour since we got home! Thanks for a great tour!

10-19-24 Located…read moreinside Hunting Island Park we drove through until we reached the lighthouse. Unfortunately on this day it was closed with scaffolding up as it is under renovations. The gift shop nearby was open. There was picnic tables located at the base that people were eating at. We loved our visit to this Park so this will be the first of many visits. Next visit I hope to be able to go inside and will thank you do an updated review.

After a "destination lunch" in Yemassee SC, our server asked if we were seeking history. Replying…read morethat it was an interest, they suggested going just six miles down the road. Yes! Six miles and 250 years earlier, we drove into a hauntingly beautiful open grove of ruins did we go! Park off the street easily. Off street parking with no sidewalks or crossings, then you'll walk into history. Burned once by the British in 1777, rebuilt, then burned one more, and final time by Sherman's mary in the civil war, as he rained terror on these rural folk, returning from conquering Savannah in the final years of the civil war. Some people remain behind in the graveyard, so please be respectful during your time here. It's silence and magistry will stay with you. The old water pump still delivers cold, sweet spring water, so have some before you go. Bring a cup (no waste cans!), or go old school and use your hand. The sadness comes from knowing that these bricks were made by slaves...

My wife and I visited here on an anniversary trip from a recommendation of a friend. It's about 50…read moremiles from Charleston SC but was well worth the drive. We were the only ones there. It's a historic site known as Prince William's Parish Church. Built between 1745 and 1753 in the English Georgian style with Roman Tuscan or Doric elements, it served as a chapel of ease for the parish. The church has a dramatic history, traditionally believed to have been burned twice: first by the British in 1779 during the Revolutionary War and again in 1865 by General Sherman's forces during the Civil War, leaving only its massive brick walls. However, a 1866 letter by Milton Leverett suggests the church was not burned in 1865 but instead gutted for materials to rebuild homes destroyed by Sherman's army, challenging the traditional narrative. I'd highly recommend a trip here if you are in the area and like things like this.

Great history and tour of the Lowcountry and Beaufort in particular! We had a great time!read more

Was planning to do the two hour walking tour because the buggy service was closed due to the summer…read moreheat, but it was pouring rain and the agency made accommodations for a van tour. Kinda feel I missed out on the intimacy of the town, but still got a bunch of information. Our tour guide was knowledgeable and very passionate about the history of Beaufort and it showed. I only partook in that tour company, so I don't know how the other companies would compare, but I would recommend to my friends.

Not far from where I'm having drinks tonight, this marker is in a busy parking lot that seemed to…read morehave quite a lot of cars in it this evening. It's in front of the Shellring Ale Works and the FIshcamp on 11th Street, so if you're looking to do something and read a historical marker, this is your spot. The marker has text on both sides. On the front, "In 1939, the Blue Channel Corporation opened a crab canning factory on this site. Founded by inventor Sterling Harris, the company worked with food scientist Dr. Carl Feller to patent a process that eliminated the blue coloration of canned Atlantic blue crab meat without altering its flavor. The company kept principal offices in Beaufort and briefly operated on Lady's Island before moving here to Port Royal and expanding." And on the reverse, "For years, Blue Channel was the nation's top producer of Atlantic blue crab and one of the largest crab packing firms in the country. The crabs processed here were caught and picked primarily by African American men and women of the local Gullah community who had long crabbed and fished along the Sea Islands. Blue Channel moved its canning operations to the Beaufort Industrial Park in 1978 and closed in 1990." It is marker number 7-66 and was erected in 2020 by the Beaufort County Historical Society, Historic Port Royal Foundation, and Town of Port Royal. [Review 19482 overall - 1054 in South Carolina - 452 of 2023.]

This is a great place to reflect, remember, protect and preserve the local heritage, culture and…read morehistory of Port Royal and the Lowcountry

Beaufort National Memorial Cemetery is a truly beautiful and peaceful place. The staff was…read moreincredibly kind and respectful during our visit. They had clear signage posted indicating that a service was in progress and asked visitors to be mindful, which really helped preserve the quiet and dignity of the moment. The staff escorted us to the ceremony site and ensured everything was in place so we could hold our service without worry. My uncle received his final blessing and full military honors, and the entire ceremony was handled with such care and professionalism. It was a deeply moving experience, and the cemetery provided a serene, honorable setting that perfectly reflected the respect my uncle deserved.

Perfect. Close-clipped grass, headstones all perfectly aligned, no litter, no fallen tree limbs…read more This cemetery is a tribute to those who fought and died for our country. I was here to visit the final resting place of Colonel Donald Conroy. You might know him as the character played by Robert Duval in the movie The Great Santini. If you're looking for it, it's in Section 62, which is all the way to the back, two sections to the left of center. [Review 19481 overall - 1053 in South Carolina - 451 of 2023.]

America's Untold Story is right! Santa Elena History Center has a well put together, interactive…read moreexhibit about the "lost century" between Christopher Columbus sailing the ocean blue to the founding of Jamestown in 1607. This is a MUST SEE for any history buff or tourist to the area!

From the owner: Must-see new history center that tells the earliest stories of Colonization of America in the 16th…read morecentury. Come learn and be entertained by our exhibit, programs, and docents!

I visited here on a tour and I'm so glad I did. It doesn't look like a lot but knowing that it has…read morebeen here for a few thousand years and how they were built just made it an amazing experience. I highly recommend reading about it, our tour guide Todd had some articles online I've read since visiting. There are only 3 remaining in the world, you should see it.

The ring is a national treasure as one of only few surviving archaic shell rings in the state. This…read morealong with its unsolved mystery (Who built it? Why? Why did they leave 300 years later?) makes it 4 stars in my book. I agree I got more excited after the fact once I learned more about it. You need to love history and be a romantic person to really enjoy this. Little kids will be easily bored. Luckily, Lake Joe is nearby (dedicated to kids and family fishing) Check the details on my blog. http://shoutaboutcarolina.com/index.php/2009/08/indian-shell-ring-history-pictures-hilton-head-free-things-to-do/