Heyward House and Historical Center

Heyward House is a 19th-century residential structure in Bluffton showing early Carolina Farmhouse architecture with wide heart pine boards, large windows, and traditional building techniques. The main house was expanded over time, while a cabin on the grounds adds another historical layer to the property.

A local resident built this residence as a summer home in the early 1800s using enslaved labor. The property later underwent expansions and remained in use as a private residence for many decades.

The cabin on the property offers direct insight into the lives of enslaved people who lived and worked here during the 1800s. Walking through it helps visitors understand the daily realities of people whose labor built and maintained this place.

The center serves as the main visitor hub for Bluffton, offering local information, maps, and guided tours of the grounds and buildings. You can explore at your own pace or join a tour to learn more about the property and its surroundings.

The original summer kitchen building required reconstruction using both period materials and newer wood after damage from wood-eating insects. This outbuilding demonstrates efforts to preserve historical structures while accepting practical limitations.

Location: Bluffton

Inception: 1841

GPS coordinates: 32.23310,-80.86180

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:40