Museums & Historic Sites
OUR MUSEUMS
Joanne T. Rainsford Discovery Center
405 Main Street
Edgefield, SC 29824
803-637-2233
Open by appointment
The Joanne T. Rainsford Discovery Center houses an excellent general history museum which tells the story of the long history of Edgefield County and its people. This 1840 plantation home, which was moved to this site and opened in 2004, was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the history of Edgefield County and surrounding areas. Subjects treated include geography, flora & fauna, native Americans, Indian trade, early settlement, American Revolution, the cultivation of cotton, the antebellum period, the War Between the States, Reconstruction, the New South and industrialization, the twentieth century with a special exhibit on Edgefield’s renowned Strom Thurmond, Edgefield Pottery and our heritage of Camellia cultivation. The Discovery Center also houses the William Miller Bouknight Theatre where theatrical and musical performances are held throughout the year. The Society’s theatrical performers, known as the Main Street Players , produce a variety of plays, some of which involve fascinating characters and events from Edgefield County’s rich history.
The buildling and theatre are available for rent, please call in advance 803-637-2233.
Magnolia Dale House Museum
320 Norris Street
Edgefield, SC 29824
803-637-2233
Open by appointment
The Magnolia Dale House Museum is an 1843 plantation home which houses numerous portraits, furnishings and artifacts related to the history of Edgefield County and its people. It has been operated by the Society since 1959. A number of important community events are held annually at Magnolia Dale, including the Camellia Tea each February and the Christmas Tour of Churches Reception in December. Visitors will not be disappointed with their visit here!
The house museum is now available for intimate private events upon request.
Horn’s Creek Church Museum
475 Old Stage Road
Edgefield, SC 29824
(6 miles south of town)
803-637-2233
Open by appointment
Horn’s Creek Church Museum is housed in a church which was founded in 1768 by the Reverend Daniel Marshall with the building dating from as early as 1784. It was one of the first churches in the South Carolina backcountry and grew to become one of the most influential churches in the region in the antebellum period. Following the decline of population in the neighborhood in the early 20th century, the church closed its doors in 1942 and the property was turned over to the Edgefield Baptist Association for safekeeping. In 2002 the property was conveyed to the Edgefield County Historical Society which constructed a caretaker’s cottage and completed the restoration of the church in 2018. Today it serves as a museum for the County’s Colonial, Revolutionary and Early National periods, as well as an event center for weddings and other social and community events.
To schedule a tour, or for your wedding or special event here, please call 803-637-2233 for information.
OUR HISTORIC SITES
In addition to our three museums, the Edgefield County Historical Society also owns and maintains three additional historical sites and a new Welcome Center and Research Library. The Historical Sites are: the Furman Monument, the Curryton Academy Park and the Hammond Family Cemetery.
The Furman Monument
Located between 400 and 402 Church St.
Edgefield, SC 29824
The Furman Monument is located near the intersection of Church and Brooks Streets in the Town of Edgefield. This pyramidal monument was erected in 1926 by the Old 96 District Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution to mark the founding of the Furman Academy and Theological Institution on this site in 1826. This institution was the forerunner of
both Furman University and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. Beginning in 1811, this had been the location of the Edgefield Village Academy, which institution continued here after Furman had moved. This was also the site of the South Co-educational Institute, a regionally famous co-educational school, from 1903 until 1911. Additionally, during Reconstruction, many exciting political meetings were held in the grove near the Academy. The site of this monument was deeded to the Edgefield County Historical Society in 1975.
The Curryton Academy Park
Between 557 and 577 Annison Pointe Ct.
North Augusta, SC 29860
The Curryton Academy Park is located in the Meriwether section of Edgefield County near the intersection of Currytown and Mealing Roads in the Anniston Point subdivision. The park was developed between 2022 and 2024 by the Edgefield County Historical Society at the location of a school which operated here from 1854 until 1892. Interpretive signage in the park tells the very interesting history of the school and the community leaders who established it. The sole remaining evidence of the school is a magnificent Magnolia tree which is certainly one of the most remarkable of its species in the world. The Society believes that the preservation of this tree and the history of the Curryton Academy was of great importance and thus put a substantial effort forward to preserve it.
The Hammond Family Cemetery
908 W Martintown Rd.
North Augusta, SC 29841
The Hammond Family Cemetery is located on Martintown Road in North Augusta, South Carolina. It is the final resting place of a number of heroes of the American Revolution, including LeRoy Hammond, Samuel Hammond and John Hammond and a number of additional distinguished members of the Hammond family. The Edgefield County Historical Society played
the major role in erecting a monument to the Revolutionary heroes in 1953, thus establishing a connection to this property more than seven decades ago. The ownership and management of this cemetery was awarded to the Edgefield County Historical Society in 2026 by decree and deed of the Aiken County Master in Equity.
The Society’s New Welcome Center and Research Library
The Society’s New Welcome Center and Research Library is now open at 201 Main Street in Edgefield in the building which has been known as the Citizen News Building on the Corner of the Court House Square and Main Street. The Research Library contains the large collection of books and files of the Society’s Historian, Bettis C. Rainsford, Sr. and other collections which have been given to the Society over the years. It provides those interested in Edgefield history and the genealogy of Edgefield families with access to much interesting
information. The Welcome Center and Research Library is open by appointment. Call 803-637- 2233 to set up an appointment.
