Freshwater Coast Discovery Center
Representing Abbeville, Edgefield,
Greenwood
, and McCormick counties, the
Freshwater
Coast
Discovery
Center
tells the stories and histories that shaped this region.
Housed in a restored farmhouse from the 1840's, exhibits in the 6,000-square-foot museum take you from the natural landscapes and settlements through modern times with a virtual bike tour video of the area. Visitors are introduced to the region's vast military and political history, thus providing a better understanding of the hot political issues of the time; some of which led to the firing upon
Fort
Sumter
in the
Charleston
Harbor
, signaling the Civil War. Exhibits also show the fall of the Confederacy and the signing of surrender papers in what is now the
Burt–Stark
Mansion
in picturesque Abbeville. The center contains a number of artifacts donated by many generous family members, including weaponry from the Civil War and Old Edgefield Pottery.
The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney made cotton a prized commodity in
South Carolina
. Cotton was indeed "KING" in what is now the Freshwater Coast Region and the center's expansive cotton exhibit tells why it was so profitable. The works of local artisans are showcased in the gift shop and a wide variety of palmetto gifts are available for purchase.
Hours of operation are Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. For more information, please call (803) 637-1237 or e-mail the
Freshwater
Coast
Discovery
Center
at EdgefieldDC@scprt.com .
