Woodlands (Bamberg, South Carolina) facts for kids
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Woodlands
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The Study, an outbuilding at Woodlands
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 Location in South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Bamberg, South Carolina |
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| Area | 650 acres (260 ha) |
| Built | 1836 |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000742 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | November 11, 1971 |
| Designated NHL | November 11, 1971 |
Woodlands, also called the William Gilmore Simms Estate, is a historic property in Bamberg County, South Carolina. This place is famous because it was the home of author William Gilmore Simms (1806-1870) for many years. Simms was a very important writer in the southern United States before the American Civil War. Woodlands was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1971 because of its history. The main house, which Simms helped build, still holds special items from his time there.
Exploring Woodlands Estate
The Woodlands estate is located about 3 miles (4.8 km) east of Bamberg. It sits on both sides of U.S. Highway 78, near the south branch of the Edisto River. The main house at Woodlands has two floors. The first floor is made of brick, and the second floor is made of wood. The front of the house has five sections with windows and doors placed in a unique way.
Buildings from the 1860s
The estate also has two smaller buildings that date back to the 1860s. One is a small cabin that William Gilmore Simms used as his study, a quiet place to read and write. The other is a small dairy house, which was used for storing milk and making dairy products.
History of the Estate
William Gilmore Simms received the Woodlands estate from his wife's family in 1836. It was already an old property back then. For many years, it was his main home, and he wrote many of his most important books there.
The main house at Woodlands was rebuilt several times. It was damaged by a fire once. Later, during the American Civil War, it was destroyed by forces from the Union Army. Simms was not able to fully rebuild the entire house after the war. He only managed to complete the library part in 1867. This library section now forms the first floor of the main house you see today.
A special film was made about the people who were enslaved and worked at the Woodlands plantation during that time in history.
