History & Historic Places to Visit
Hilton Head Island, Bluffton, and the surrounding Lowcountry have a rich history. Local historical documentation begins at the time of Spanish and French settlement in the early 1500s and continues through the time of Native Americans, the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and the Gullah culture.
Did you know Hilton Head Island is the home to the first self-governed, freed-slave community?
Be sure to check out the links below and the historic trails throughout Hilton Head, Bluffton, and Beaufort. Many of the local historic sites are on the National Register of Historic Places and make for a great outing!
Heritage Library
History & Ancestry Research; classes, programs, and resources
Hilton Head History References
Town of Hilton Head Historic Neighborhoods
History from HHI Chamber of Commerce
History from HiltonHeadIsland.com
Coastal Discovery Museum
Lectures, history forum, historical buildings, and events
Bluffton History References
History of Bluffton, SC:Selected Links & Materials