Beaufort's Historical Points of Interest

Today, an entire tapestry of Southern history is woven into Beaufort's landscape and is wistfully reflected in its tabby ruins, historic forts, elegant homes and majestic plantations. As horse-drawn carriages leisurely wind through the streets in the historic district - one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts in South Carolina - time seems to stand still in this picturesque waterfront community.

HISTORIC FORTS:
Fort Beauregard - Bay Point (North-South War Fort)
Fort Charles - Parris Island (A French Fort)
Fort Frederick - Port Royal (A Colonial Fort)
Fort Fremont - Land's End on St. Helena Island (A Spanish-American Fort)
Fort Lyttleton - Beaufort (A Pre-Revolutionary Fort)
Fort Marion - Spanish Point in Beaufort (A Post Revolutionary Fort)
Fort San Felipe - Parris Island (A Spanish Fort)
Fort San Marcos - Parris Island (A Spanish Fort)

HISTORIC POINTS OF INTEREST:
The Beaufort Museum - (843) 379-3331 - 713 Craven St., Beaufort, SC Located in the Arsenal (c. 1798). The museam features exhibits on local history and presents a wide range of artifacts. Admission is $3.00 adults, 50 ¢ for students. Hours are 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Museum recently completely redesigned!

Heyward House Historic Center - (843) 757-6293 - 70 Boundary St., Bluffton, SC Heyward Historic Center is located at the Cole-Heyward House, c. 1840. It is a house museum and the official Welcome Center for the town of Bluffton. Open Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. - Saturday, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

The John Mark Verdier House - (843) 379-6335 - 801 Bay St., Beaufort SC Built in 1805 by a prominent Beaufort merchant it is a fine example of Federal architecture and furnishings. Admission is $5.00 for fully narrated tour. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday - Saturday. Narrated tours begin at 10:30 a.m. and are on the half hour with the last tour starting at 3:30 p.m.

The Parris Island Museum - (843) 228-2951 - War Memorial Bldg., Parris Island, SC Devoted to portraying the history and development of Parris Island and the Port Royal area, the Marine Corps, and recruit training. Admission is free. Hours are 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday - Sunday.

Penn Center Historic District - (843) 838-2432 - The York W. Bailey Museum 16 Penn Center Circle W., St. Helena Island, SC Formerly the Penn School, the first school for freed slaves. Open daily for museum tours and walking around the grounds. Hours are 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m., Monday - Saturday.

HISTORIC CHURCHES:
The Beaufort Baptist Church - (843) 524-3197 - 600 Charles St., Beaufort, SC Built in 1844, this church is an excellent example of Greek Revival architecture. By 1857, the membership was 182 white and 3,317 slaves. During the Civil War and subsequent Occupation, the church was used as Union Army Hospital Number 14.

The Brick Baptist Church Land's End Rd., St. Helena Island, SC Originally built in 1855 by Baptist planters, it was used during reconstruction times as a church, meeting hall, school and as the community center for freed slaves and Northern abolitionists. It is now part of the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District.

The Chapel of Ease Land's End Rd., St. Helena Island, SC This church was built between 1742 and 1747 to serve the planters on St. Helena Island. In 1886 a forest fire destroyed part of this brick and tabby chapel. The ruins and a small graveyard remain.

The First African Baptist Church 601 New St., Beaufort, SC This church was built in 1865 and given to freed slaves, it has many unique architectural features The Ruins of the Prince William's Parish Church (Old Sheldon Church) Secondary Rd., 21 Church Rd., Beaufort, SC Best experienced by parking off the road and walking into the church area. This first attempt at Greek Revival architecture in the area was burned twice, once by British General Augustine Prevost in the Revolutionary War, and once by Sherman in the Civil War.

St. Helena's Episcopal Church - (843) 522-1712 - Newcastle St., Beaufort, SC Part of St. Helena Parish that was formed in 1712. Construction on the brick and stucco church began in 1724. Colonial John "Tuscarora Jack" Barnwell, the famous Indian fighter and a founder of Beaufort Town, is buried beneath the dome vault. During the Civil War and subsequent occupation, the church was used as a Union Army Hospital.

Tabernacle Baptist Church - (843) 524-0376/1893 - 911 Craven St., Beaufort, SC Built in the 1800's, 500 black members purchased the church from the Beaufort Baptist Church. A lecture room and meeting house were used in "the Tabernacle." The gravesite and bust of Robert Smalls, a former slave and the first black U.S. Congressman from South Carolina, can be found in the churchyard.