The Beaufort History Museum was originally chartered in 1939. It has progressed to focus specifically on the deep and rich history of the Beaufort District, which is geographically bounded by the Combahee River on the north to Hilton Head on the south, reaching approximately 50 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean. We manage and display the City of Beaufort’s collection of artifacts, documents and photos, which tell in a compelling manner the fascinating stories of the area. Highlights are the arrival of Native Americans, the first settlers; the European explorations of the early and mid-16th Century; the Revolutionary War; the rice, indigo and cotton Plantation Culture; the antebellum decades, secession and the Civil War; reconstruction and growth to present times. Through community engagement, children’s programs, educational opportunities and social events the museum provides many services to visitors and local residents. The Museum comprises two distinct spaces: a larger primary area containing artifacts, photos and documents which tell the story of the Beaufort District, and an Exhibit Hall in which distinctive displays are created to focus on specific subjects of interest. We offer an ongoing program to train Volunteer Docents to lead tours and serve as community liaisons. The training curriculum covers all aspects of history relating to Beaufort. The Beaufort History Museum is an active member of our statewide (SCFM), regional (SEMC) and national (AAM) museum associations.
