Rich History
National figures, including Revolutionary War General William Moultrie, once called our area home. The elusive “Swamp Fox,” General Francis Marion, tormented British legions as they occupied much of South Carolina. Marion is credited with developing the first guerilla war tactics. He kept the British searching the forest and swamps for his elusive militia. While in Berkeley, it’s worth a visit to Bell Island Plantation, where Marion and his wife Mary Esther Videou are buried. Thirty-two of the 166 Revolutionary War battle sites in South Carolina are located in Berkeley County – making us home to the largest number of Revolutionary War sites in the world!
Mepkin Abbey
On the bluffs overlooking the scenic Cooper River, you’ll find Mepkin Abbey, home to an active Trappist monastery. A “day in the life” of the monks is just as interesting as experiencing the stories behind this historic land. This monastery is located on the land formerly owned by Henry Laurens, Congressional Constitutional President. Laurens was held prisoner in the Tower of London and finally released after he was exchanged for the infamous British General, Lord Charles Cornwallis. Lord Cornwallis took siege of Charleston, cutting off trade from the port and chasing the elusive “Swamp Fox” Francis Marion.
Old Santee Canal Park and the Berkeley Museum
Enjoy unique educational experiences at the site of the first true canal in America, which served as an early trading post for Native Americans. Later, the first semi-submersible torpedo boat, CSS Little David, was built on these grounds. The 5,600 exhibit Berkeley Museum traces the area’s history back 12,000 years.
Cypress Gardens
Cypress Gardens was once part of Dean Hall, one of the most prosperous Cooper River rice plantations of the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 1920s, owner Benjamin Kittredge looked upon a red maple tree’s glorious reflection in the blackwater swamp. This inspired him to create Cypress Gardens. Today, azaleas, dogwood, daffodils, wisteria and cypress trees reflect brilliantly in the mirror-like waters.
Take an exciting boat ride on this beautiful blackwater swamp, then enjoy the gardens and exhibits. In 2010, Cypress Gardens opened its new Heritage Room exhibit, featuring African-American artifacts found on the site of the old Dean Hall Plantation. After two years of researching and studying artifacts found on the site (which date back to the 1700s), archaeologists can now offer an accurate perspective about life on the plantation.
Cypress Gardens also offers a variety of tours which can be customized for your group.