Lowcountry Region
Folkways and Communities Trail

 

Photo courtesy College of Charleston Archives.

This trail encompasses the rural areas and urban centers of Colleton, Dorchester, and Charleston Counties. This trail is wheel shaped and encompasses the towns of Walterboro, Greenpond, and Cottageville in Colleton County; St. George, Harleyville, Ridgeville, and Summerville in Dorchester County and Lincolnville and North Charleston in Charleston County, linking to Charleston by Hwy 17 and 78. The Folkways and Communities Trail tells the story of inland rice fields and plantation life as well as the story of education, educators, houses of worship, freed people, and heroes. This trail offers an authentic look at the traditions and way of life of the African American population in this area.

Tuskegee Airmen Monument. Photo courtesy Walterboro-Colleton Chamber of Commerce.

To begin your journey into this land of promise, oppression, revolution, and prosperity, follow Hwy 17 south until it connects with Hwy 64 to Walterboro. The historic town of Walterboro, founded in 1784 by planters seeking a retreat from the malaria-filled plantations, is the hub of this trail. Traveling west on Hwy 64 as you enter the historic district of Walterboro, make sure to stop at St. Peter's AME Church to get a glimpse of 1870s gothic revival architecture. After visiting St. Peter's, travel to the Tuskegee Airmen Monument located at the Walterboro Airport on Hwy 17A. The monument celebrates the courage and successes of African American pilots during World War II. Before leaving Walterboro, pay a visit to the South Carolina Artisans Center located in one of the area's restored historic homes. The center offers some of the state's finest folk art and handmade craft items. Be sure to dine at one of the many restaurants in the area serving traditional Lowcounty cuisine before continuing your journey.

Shady Grove Camp Meeting. Photo by Peggy Peatie.

Your next stop should be St. James the Greater Catholic Church located off road 4 in Ritter, Colleton County. Following the Civil War, many African Americans first worshipped in brush and grape arbors. In 1897, a priest by the name of Daniel Berberich organized these former slaves and formed the Greater Catholic Church. The cemetery adjacent to the church is a must see. Follow the trail north to Summerville and on the way stop by the Jericho School in Cottageville (secondary road 35). Jericho School was established in 1925 and served the black community until the 1940s. Travel Hwy 17A to 78 to Harleyville to visit St. Paul's AME campgrounds. These 19th-century wooden tents are built in a circular fashion with a tabernacle in the center. Camp meetings are held each October. Continue to travel on Hwy 78 to find Shady Grove Campground 5 miles near the Orangeburg County line. Tradition states that Shady Grove was organized by ex-slave Caesar Wolfe following the Civil War. Travel south to Summerville in order to visit the Summerville-Dorchester Museum. The museum is home to the cornerstone of the Alston School.

Eliza's house, Middleton Place. Photo courtesy Middleton Place.

Dr. Alston, a successful African American, donated land for the school in an effort to combine smaller rural African American schools. The school no longer exists but was originally located at Cedar and West 1st North St. After leaving the museum, visit St. Stephens Reformed Episcopal Church on N. Palmetto Ave. Bishop Peter Stevens erected the Church in 1885 in the Carpenter Gothic style. St. Stephens was one of 27 churches built for Episcopal freed people, most of whom were poor African American farmers. When you visit St. Stephens, look for the miniature pew built especially for children. Visit Hillcrest Cemetery off Gahagan Road and Brownsville Cemetery on Bay Road before stopping for a bite to eat at one of the many famed restaurants in Summerville.

Leading to Charleston from Summerville, two routes are offered. Follow Hwy 61 and discover Eliza's House, a freedmen's residence at Middleton Place, the slave cabins at Magnolia Plantation, and learn of the West African and Caribbean connections to Drayton Hall. Continue to Charles Towne Landing, the site of the first permanent settlement in South Carolina to view artifacts relating to the daily life of Africans and African Americans.

If you take 78, visit Lincolnville, a predominantly black community founded after the Civil War and named for Abraham Lincoln. Continue on Hwy 78 to North Charleston. Visit St. Peter's AME church in the Liberty Hill neighborhood. The roots of North Charleston are found in this community that was founded after 1865 by a group of African Americans.

Just for You Tours
Explore the Caribbean Trail. (843) 571-4165.

South Carolina Artisans Center
334 Wichman Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
Official folk-art center for South Carolina. The center provides a cultural and retail venue for the hand-crafted work of our state's leading artists. (843) 549-0011.

Summerville Dorchester Museum
100 East Doty Ave., Summerville, SC
Exhibits including the area's history from prehistoric to present, including fossils, natural history, law enforcement, and early settlement. (843) 875-9666.

Kenor Fine Arts and Gifts
228 Washington Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
Gifts, plates, sculpture, fine arts and crafts. (843) 542-9707.

Sadie's Gal Gift Shop
1914 Highway 174, Edisto Island, SC 29438
Specializing in fine gifts reflecting Lowcountry living. Gullah spoken here. (843) 869-0220.

St. Paul's Marketing Center
5210 Hwy 174 (intersection Hwy 174 & 162), Adam's Run, SC 29426
Produce, crafts and arts. 10am-4pm Tues-Sat. (843) 889-8443.

Sweetgrass Baskets and Things
206 Washington Street, Walterboro, SC 29488
8:30am-2:00pm, closed Sun & Wed. Traditionally hand sewn sweetgrass baskets by 3 generations of basketmakers. Jewlery, gifts, and T-shirts. (843) 542-9083.

City of North Charleston
4200 La Cross Road, North Charleston, SC
Offers the Old Village historic district including antiques and quaint shops. (843) 864-3735.

Drayton Hall
Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC
Unfurnished mansion is one of few spared during the Civil War. Guided tours of home, marsh, and river available. A National Trust historic site. (843) 769-2600.

Magnolia Plantation and Gardens
Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC
Year round garden and house tours, nature trail, Audubon Swamp Garden, Barbados Tropical Garden, maze, petting zoo, art gallery, and more. (843) 571-1266.

Middleton Place
Ashley River Road, Charleston, SC
National Historic Landmark encompassing America's oldest landscaped gardens, the Middleton Place House, plantation stableyards, featuring Eliza's house, a post-bellum freedman's dwelling interpreting African American folkways. (843) 556-6020

Mt. Pleasant/Isle of Palms Visitor Center
Hwy. 17N at G. M. Darby Blvd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
1-800-868-8118.

North Charleston Visitor Center
3107 Firestone Road, North Charleston, SC
(843) 744-8935.

Town of St. George
305 Rutledge Street, St. George, SC
(843) 563-3032.

Town of Summerville
106 East Doty Avenue, Summerville, SC
(843) 873-2931.

Wadmalaw Island Gullah Theater
5605 Katy Hill Road, Wadmalaw Island, SC
(843) 559-0383.

Walterboro-Colleton County Cham. of Commerce
109 C Benson Street, Walterboro, SC
(843) 549-9595.