Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site is a historic site located in Beech Island, South Carolina, just across the border from Augusta, Georgia.


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Summary

The plantation was once a thriving cotton plantation during the antebellum era and offers visitors a glimpse into the lives of the wealthy plantation owners and their slaves.

Visitors can explore the plantation house, which was built in 1859 and features original furnishings and decor from the period. The house is surrounded by beautiful gardens and grounds, including a formal garden and a slave garden. There is also a separate kitchen and laundry building, as well as several slave cabins that have been restored.

One of the most interesting facts about Redcliffe Plantation is that it was home to James Henry Hammond, a prominent politician and advocate for slavery. However, the site also tells the stories of the slaves who lived and worked on the plantation, including their daily lives and struggles for freedom.

The best time of year to visit Redcliffe Plantation is during the spring and summer months, when the gardens are in full bloom and there are often special events and programs offered. However, the site is open year-round and offers guided tours and educational programs for visitors of all ages.

Overall, Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site is a fascinating and educational destination for anyone interested in the history of the antebellum South.

       

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Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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