Tours of Civil War Exhibits and Historic Sites

The Beaufort County Library is partnering with the Beaufort History Museum to host a Living History Civil War Encampment at the Arsenal March 11 - 13, 2016. An encampment often brings in folks who are interested in learning more about the era by touring other nearby sites and exhibits about the topic. As librarians we love to share information about the long and storied history of Beaufort District with others. Beaufort County is blessed to have a number of cultural heritage organizations that sponsor regular tours and have permanent or special exhibits about local historical people, places, events, and eras. Here are just a few of the recurring tours of Civil War related historic sites that sometimes includes permanent or special exhibits on the Civil War:

FORTS OF PORT ROYAL TOUR WITH COASTAL DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Wednesdays at 10am | Tours meet at the Port Royal Golf Club, 10 Clubhouse Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Learn about the area's early explorers and the importance of the island during the Civil War, Mitchelville, and the Steam Cannon. The tour visits the site of Fort Walker and the Steam Cannon. Regular price is $12 adult $7 child (ages 6-12); Reservations are required for this tour. Call Coastal Discovery Museum at 843-689-6767 for reservations. www.coastaldiscovery.org

FORT MITCHEL TOUR WITH THE HERITAGE LIBRARY 

Thursdays at 10am | Tours meet at Fort Mitchel, Hilton Head Plantation

Visit a well preserved example of a Civil War era coastal artillery battery. Learn about what life on Hilton Head Island was like for northern soldiers during the Union occupation 1861-1865. Reservations are required for this tour offered by the Heritage Library, owner of the historic site. Regular price is $12 adult $7 child (ages 6-12); Call Heritage Library at 843-686-6560 for reservations. (The Heritage Library will give you directions upon placing your reservation for the tour.) www.heritagelib.org

JOHN MARK VERDIER HOUSE MUSEUM TOURS
Permanent & Special Exhibit for March 2016 only| Mon-Sat, 10a-4p
Verdier House, 801 Bay St, Beaufort | 843-379-6331

Paid admission to the John Mark Verdier House includes a tour of the house museum and two Civil War related exhibits: “Robert Smalls: Beaufort Hero” showcasing the life of the African-American slave who became a Republican leader in the Lowcountry after the Civil War; and a special exhibit, “They Came to Beaufort….Three Women of the Civil War,” featuring the inter-connected stories of Clara Barton, Susie King Taylor and Frances Dana Barker Gage (runs March 1 - March 31, 2016). $10 per person, children and teenagers free.