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.
This year’s event is scheduled for October 17th through October 19th.
Just as Charleston and Savannah developed a unique individual styles of residential architecture in the early years of the 18th Century, so did their smaller neighbor located between the two on Port Royal Island in the Old Beaufort District. South Carolina’s second oldest town, Beaufort founded in 1711, did not grow as fast as the two larger more urban towns did but was just as strategically settled on a bend in the Beaufort River.
New to this year’s festival is a Friday evening talk by acclaimed Beaufort architect and author Jane Frederick.
Then, it’s a Saturday tour of Bluff homes, a Saturday early evening sneak-peak of HBF’s recently-acquired house at 1001 Greene Street, and then the traditional Sunday Lowcountry Brunch, this year at the historic Robert Means-Gage House overlooking the Beaufort River.
“This is our fifty-first year doing the Fall Tour, and we think we’ve found a way to make the experience even more special this year with the Friday evening talk with Jane Frederick about creating sustainable Southern homes,” said HBF Executive Director Lise Sundrla.
“We are so fortunate each year to have owners of these magnificent properties offer them to us for these tours. To be invited to walk through these homes and gardens is a rare treat.
The festival offers three different tours as well as a luncheon.
Friday, October 17
5:30 -7 PM Contemporary Southern Vernacular – An Evening with Lowcountry Architect & Author Jane Frederick
Lowcountry architect and author Jane Frederick will present Contemporary Southern Vernacular: Creating Sustainable Houses for Hot, Humid Climates. Cowritten with Michael Frederick, this comprehensive guide provides clear advice and guidelines needed for creating sustainable Southern homes. This special event will be held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Drew Scallan, the Flora and John Trask Sr. House, ca. 1913, overlooking the Bluff in Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District. Hors d’ oeuvres and wine/beer will be served following the presentation. Space is limited. Tickets are $75 members, $100 non-members
Saturday, October 18
10 AM – 4 PM A Tour of the Bluff (upper Bay Street)
Beaufort’s Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens offers a unique glimpse into homes and gardens within and around the National Historic Landmark District. This year’s tour will feature Beaufort’s Bluff and Glebe Neighborhoods showcasing a variety of periods and architectural styles ranging from the early 19th century to the mid-20th century. Tickets: $75 members, $85 non-members
Saturday October 18
4 – 6 PM Sneak-Peek Hardhat Tour & Reception
In June, Historic Beaufort Foundation bought a significant property on Greene Street within Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District. The purchase was made possible through the Foundation’s Revolving Fund which was created to acquire, improve and preserve Beaufort’s rich architectural history. As a special sneak-peek, we are offering a pre-renovation hardhat tour and light reception following the house and garden tours on Saturday. Space is limited for this activity. Tickets: $35 members, $45 non-members
Sunday, October 19
9 AM – 1:30 PM Lowcountry Brunch & Tour
Note: two shifts will be offered: 9 – 11 AM and 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM
This year’s Sunday Lowcountry Brunch & Tour highlights the spectacular Robert Means-Gage House (ca. 1805-1820) along the Bluff in Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District.
For over 30 years, owner Catherine Scarborough and her husband Wallace have uncovered thousands of artifacts, porcelains and pottery shards through discovery of two pre-Civil War privies and most recently, an 18th century well on their property. These items are being studied with the goal of cataloging, preserving and showcasing the items. They have graciously offered to display and discuss the items and their journey of discovery. Acclaimed architectural consultant Colin Brooker will also join us for the second shift of the day.
In 2019 the house and property were listed individually on the National Register of Historic Places. Space is limited for the brunch and tour.
For more information and tickets to this year’s Fall Festival of Houses & Gardens, visit Historic Beaufort Foundation.
