Museum and local history, recurring festivals, fishing, and a short nature trail give Hampton County several specific reasons to visit. To plan your trip, first decide whether a festival, historical topics, or outdoor activities will shape your stay.
Hampton County and its history
Hampton County is one of the four southernmost counties in South Carolina’s Lowcountry & Resort Islands region. In Hampton, the Hampton Colored School Museum and Resource Center focuses on the history of the African American community. The Hampton Colored School was built in 1931 and was the community’s only educational institution for Black children. The building was restored and listed in the South Carolina Register of Historic Places and the National Register of Historic Places.
The Hampton Museum and Visitors' Center offers free walking tours and museum tours; availability may depend on volunteer schedules. Exhibits include, among other topics, Indigenous knowledge, the Watermelon Festival, military exhibits, art, and other local subjects. Exhibits may change. For family history research, the museum has more than 50 books and has documented more than 125 cemeteries.
The Hampton County Historical Society also preserves local history: its museum in the Historic Old Jail collects artifacts, materials, and family stories for residents and visitors. The society also develops and hosts public education programs and events focused on the county’s culture and heritage. These offerings provide a different focus from the thematic collections at the Hampton Museum and Visitors' Center.
Festivals in June and September
The Watermelon Festival has been held every June at the Hampton County Courthouse Square since 1939. In September, the Town of Yemassee hosts the Shrimp Festival every year. The two festivals therefore offer different seasonal reasons to visit. Check the specific event dates and current schedule before your visit.
More places with their own history
The Brunson Museum is located in Brunson’s original town hall. Its collection includes artifacts, photographs, paintings, and other memorabilia about the history of Brunson and the surrounding region. In Estill, Estill Presbyterian Church offers another historical point of interest: it is the second-oldest Presbyterian church in Hampton County. The Estill Museum building originally served as Estill’s first town hall and jail.
Varnville is also connected to a well-known film: the town served as the setting for Greenbow, Alabama, the fictional town in Forrest Gump. Local history thus ranges from preserved buildings and collections to a film location.
Fishing and a short nature trail
The Webb Center Lakes consist of two small lakes covering 7 and 10 acres, respectively. You can fish there for largemouth bass, sunfish, shellcracker, and catfish. The Estill Nature Walking and Nature Trail is a quarter mile long, with interpretive stations along the way. Check trail conditions locally.
If you plan a tour, take volunteer scheduling into account; for the nature trail, it is a good idea to check local conditions.
Discover more destinations: Yemassee, Hampton-Varnville Airport, Estill, Abbeville County, Barnwell County, Oconee County, Georgetown, Saluda.
For the main travel overview: South Carolina.
