Historic Beaufort Foundation’s annual Fall Festival of Houses and Gardens provides a very rare vantage point in a selection of private homes representing three centuries of Beaufort architecture normally not open to the public.
Beaufort’s role and architecture during the Civil War and the era of Reconstruction will highlight this year’s three-day Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens October 16th through 18th.
For 52 years, gracious homeowners have shared their private homes and gardens in support of Historic Beaufort Foundation and its mission to preserve and protect Beaufort’s historic, architectural and cultural legacy. This event, along with the Spring Architects’ Tour and the Lafayette Soiree, are the Foundation’s primary annual fundraisers.
Tickets for the annual event are available online at www.historicbeaufort.org and typically sell fast, with some events selling out. Two-day ticket bundles are available with a discount.
“We always encourage early purchase, but this year we’ve been getting more calls than usual from people outside of South Carolina who want to make this a special Beaufort weekend,” said Lise Sundrla, Historic Beaufort Foundation’s executive director.
Tours and events are rain or shine and tickets are non-refundable. Generally, HBF and property owners prefer that children under 12 not attend. However, Sundrla said she’d be happy to discuss this on an individual basis by calling her office at 843.379.3331.
Two highlights of each year’s tour are the tour poster and the floral decorations. Annually, HBF invites a local artist to create the image for the fall tour poster. Over the years the posters have become treasured collectables. HBF is pleased to announce this year’s fall tour artist – Betty Cothran.
And, for many years, the Beaufort Council of Garden Clubs and long-time John Mark Verdier House docent and interior designer Norman Owens have graciously crafted floral decorations for tour sites.
Friday, October 16, 5:30 p.m.
An evening with Dr. John McCardell & Dr. Steve Wise
This evening reception and discussion features acclaimed Southern historians Dr. John McCardell and Dr. Steve Wise as they discuss the American Civil War and the era of Reconstruction in Beaufort. This special member-only event will be held at the home of Dave and Nancy Russell, the iconic Dr. Joseph Johnson House known as The Castle, ca. 1861. Space is limited for this special member-only event.
Tickets: HBF members only, $200 per person.
Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Beaufort Transformed
A tour of homes and churches associated with the American Civil War and the era of Reconstruction (this is a walking tour with shuttles available).
Beaufort’s Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens offers a unique glimpse into homes and gardens and sites within and around the National Historic Landmark District. After Federal troops captured Beaufort in November 1861, many homes, churches and commercial structures were occupied and repurposed as headquarters, hospitals, quarters, and other military uses for the duration of the war.
Eight homes and two churches will be showcased on the tour this year. Highlights include the McKee-Smalls House (also known as the Robert Smalls House), ca. 1810s; Berners Barnwell Sams House #2, ca. 1852; the John Joyner Smith House, ca. 1820s (remodeled in 1850); the John Fripp Chaplin House (Chaplin Court), ca. 1815 and the Paul Hamilton House (The Oaks), ca. 1855.
The McKee-Smalls House was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975. The history of this significant property and its ownership embody the more dramatic aspects of social change in post-Civil War Beaufort. Considered one of the most remarkable figures in American history, Robert Smalls’ journey from enslavement to US Congressman is anchored deeply in Beaufort.
Bundle the Saturday Tour and Sunday Lowcountry Brunch & Tour and save 10 percent on your ticket purchase. Single Day tickets Member: $75 Non-Member: $85
Sunday, October 18, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Frogmore Lowcountry Brunch & Tour
This year’s Lowcountry Brunch & Tour will be held at the home of Bill and Caroline Hatcher, Frogmore Manor, ca. 1810 and Plantation on St. Helena Island. The property was originally owned by Lt. Governor William Bull, who willed it to his son in 1750.
Once boasting more than 3,000 acres, the property today includes some 72 acres. The manor house, barn and windmill/water tower provide an important example of early architectural development on St. Helena during the period of 1790 to 1920. Built ca.1810, the barn is a significant example of early tabby construction.
In 1867-68 the property was purchased by Laura Towne and Ellen Murray, Northern missionaries and teachers who arrived on St. Helena Island in 1862 and founded Penn School, one the nation’s first schools for formerly enslaved persons and the first to be established in the southern United States. Following their deaths in the early 1900s, the property was purchased by James Ross Macdonald and remains in the family today.
Dr. Mollie Barnes, professor of English at USCB and the inaugural Lawrence S. Rowland Endowed Professor, will be joining Dr. Larry Rowland mid-day to discuss Frogmore’s early history and Penn School founders Laura Towne and Ellen Murray who purchased and resided at Frogmore Plantation following the Civil War.
Note that Sunday tickets will be offered by shift: 9 – 11 a.m. and 12 noon to 2 p.m. Please indicate the shift timeframe you would prefer in the notes section of the order form or call the HBF office at 843.379.3331. They will do their best to accommodate your preference.
Single Day tickets Member: $175 Non-Member: $200 Bundle Tickets (Saturday and Sunday) receive a 10 percent discount
All events are rain or shine, and tickets are non-refundable. All purchasers will be required to sign/agree to a waiver prior to ticket purchase, and bundling options are available for discounts.
