Beaufort History Museum, Beaufort

Beaufort has a long and storied history, dating back to its founding in 1711, and played a significant role in various historical periods, including the American Revolution and the Civil War. The The Beaufort History Museum serves as a gateway to understanding the area's past.

Beaufort played a role in the American Revolutionary War, with the Battle of Grays Hill occurring just outside the town. Notably, Thomas Heyward, Jr., a plantation owner from the Beaufort District, signed the Declaration of Independence.

Beaufort's history is also intertwined with the lead-up to the American Civil War. It was in Beaufort that prominent residents secretly met to plan secession from the Union, an event associated with the "Secession House" on Craven Street.

During the Civil War, Beaufort witnessed significant changes as Union forces sailed into Port Royal Sound. Many of the town's white residents abandoned their homes, and Beaufort became a Union headquarters. Some of the antebellum mansions were converted into hospitals for wounded soldiers.

The Beaufort History Museum features a diverse range of exhibits and collections that chronicle the town's history. Visitors can explore artifacts, photographs, documents, and interactive displays that highlight various aspects of Beaufort's past, including its role in the American Civil War, its African American heritage, and its Gullah Geechee culture.

Visitors to the Beaufort History Museum can expect to hear these stories and learn much more about how Beaufort's history influenced the course of America's history.