Rose Hill Plantation House

Rose Hill Plantation House is a two-story wooden building in Bluffton featuring vertical board-and-batten siding, a cruciform floor plan, and a steep gable roof on a brick foundation. The Carpenter Gothic style is visible in pointed arch details and vertical wood elements that give the structure its distinctive appearance.

Construction started in 1858 for Dr. John Kirk and his wife Caroline but halted when the Civil War broke out. Work resumed years later after World War II and was finally completed.

The home reflects how a prominent family lived in the 1800s, with rooms arranged to show the social order of that era. The way the house was built and decorated reveals the wealth generated from farming operations.

The house sits within a gated community along US 278 and is maintained by the Middleton White Foundation. Guided tours are available for visitors who want to explore the interior and learn more about the property.

Union soldiers carved messages into a mirror hanging in the entrance hall during the Civil War. Those scratched words remain visible today, providing a direct link to the people who passed through during wartime.

Location: Beaufort County

Inception: 1858

Architectural style: Carpenter Gothic

GPS coordinates: 32.29500,-80.87528

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:46