Heyward House and Historical Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Heyward House |
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The Heyward House, now the Welcome Center of Bluffton, South Carolina
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| General information | |
| Type | House |
| Architectural style | Carolina Farmhouse |
| Address | 70 Boundary St. |
| Town or city | Bluffton, South Carolina |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 32°13′59″N 80°51′42″W / 32.2331°N 80.8618°W |
| Opened | 1840 |
| Owner | Bluffton Historical Preservation Society |
The Heyward House is a historic home located in Bluffton, South Carolina. It was built in 1841 and shows the early Carolina Farmhouse style. This style was brought to North America by settlers from the West Indies.
Contents
Building the Heyward House
The first parts of the house were built in the early 1840s. These included the north parlor and the bedroom above it. John J. Cole built it as a summer home for his wife, Carolina Corley, and their children. People who worked for him helped build the house.
Expanding the Home
John J. Cole's main plantation was about 10 miles from downtown Bluffton. His father-in-law owned another large property nearby. By 1860, Cole had made the Heyward House much bigger. He also had a larger family by then.
During this expansion, the front and side windows in the main rooms were replaced. Larger windows were put in their place. The original parlor windows were then reused in the dining room and a back bedroom. The inside walls are covered with wide, strong pine boards.
Life at the Heyward House
The Heyward House property still has the last remaining cabin for workers in Bluffton. This cabin shows how people lived and worked long ago.
The Kitchen Area
Originally, the house had a separate kitchen building. This "summer kitchen" was not attached to the main house. It was moved to the back of the property later on. In the 1930s, a large, square kitchen was added directly to the main house. The old summer kitchen was damaged by beetles over time. It was rebuilt using some of its original wood and some new wood.
A New Chapter for the House
After the Civil War, Mr. Cole became ill and passed away. In 1874, the Cole family sold their properties in Bluffton. They then moved to Texas.
The Heyward Family Era
Mrs. Kate Du Bois bought the property next. Her husband was the local Post Master. In 1882, Mrs. Du Bois sold the house to Mrs. George Cuthbert Heyward, Sr. The house stayed in the Heyward family for many years.
Preserving History
In 1998, the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society bought the Heyward House. They worked to preserve this important building. Today, the Heyward House is open to the public. It is the only house museum in Bluffton. It also serves as the official welcome center for the Town of Bluffton.
