Seaside Plantation

Seaside Plantation is a two-story wooden house with a single-story hip-roofed porch and displays classic Georgian and Federal architectural details. The main dwelling sits on a 3-acre property alongside several outbuildings including a barn, shed, and well.

Construction of the house took place between 1795 and 1810, reflecting the architectural style of that era. During the Civil War, the property became part of the Port Royal Experiment, a program that attempted to reorganize plantation management and operations.

The site preserves outbuildings that show how daily work was organized on the plantation, including a brick well, a wooden shed, and a large barn with a metal roof. These structures give visitors a sense of the labor and routines that sustained the property.

The property is located east of Beaufort on U.S. Route 21, making it accessible by car from town. Plan your visit during daylight hours to see the architecture and surrounding structures clearly.

Charlotte Forten Grimké, an African American educator and abolitionist, lived at this house and left her mark on its history. This connection to a prominent anti-slavery activist makes the property noteworthy among the few antebellum houses remaining on the island.