Discover History Program Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site

Established as an antebellum plantation just before the Civil War, today Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site is a time capsule exploring more than 120 years of history including the Antebellum South, Reconstruction, the Jim Crow South and more. The circa-1859 Greek-Revival mansion and circa-1857 slave cabin were home to families like the Hammond Family (plantation owners) and Henley Family (former slaves, later paid employees) for multiple generations. Curriculum-based Discover Carolina field trips at the site focus on the use of historic documents and hands-on activities and are available for 3rd, 4th and 5th grades.

Contact Details

Park Interpreter
803-827-1473
redcliffe@scprt.com

Field Trips

Plantation Life in the 19th Century - 4th Grade

Online Field Trips Start Here:

Print these handouts for students to use while viewing videos:

Reconstruction at Redcliffe - 8th Grade


Cost

Online field trips are no charge.  On-site field trips are:

  • 1-25 students $40
  • 26-40 students $80
  • 41-60 students $120
  • 61-80 students $160
  • 81-100 students $200
  • 101-120 students $240
  • 121-140 students $280

How to Book

Reservations can be made August 1 – September 30 for the upcoming school year, by contacting the park or by downloading the reservation form below for your grade level and emailing that form to the park interpreter. 

You may send in the reservation form in May for an upcoming school year BUT we will not send out confirmations until the following August when our regular reservation window opens. For more information, contact the park interpreter (contact information above).

Chaperones

We require at least one chaperone per eight students, who receive free admission to the program. Chaperones above this limit are an additional $7.50 per person and may not be able to join field trip groups in the historic mansion if their addition exceeds the number of people we can have inside our historic buildings at any one time. We highly recommend no more than the suggested number of chaperones. Chaperones must agree to the Chaperone Agreement below.

Directions to Field Trip Location

Redcliffe Plantation is located at 181 Redcliffe Rd., Beech Island, SC.

From I-20: North Augusta take exit 1 onto Martintown Road. Go approximately 4 miles and turn left onto Hwy 125 S. (Atomic Rd.) to Beech Island. Turn right at stop light onto Beech Island Ave. then left onto Hwy 278 at next stop light. Go two miles then take a right onto Hammond Road. Then right onto Redcliffe Rd. Redcliffe is approximately 14 miles from I-20.

Note:  We highly recommend you do NOT use GPS.  Contact the park for more information.

Facilities Available

There are NO covered picnic shelters at Redcliffe. Three picnic tables are available and picnic blankets can be spread out on the lawn for lunches.

All programs include tours of the historic mansion and slave quarters, neither of which have heating or air conditioning. This means you may experience extreme temperatures in both buildings in March and May. Students should be dressed appropriately for the weather as if the entire program is being held outside.

Restroom facilities and a water fountain are available at the visitor center.  There is also a gift shop available at the visitor center. Classes must have indicated on their reservation form if they want to visit the gift shop. 

Packaged educational souvenirs are available for varying amounts between $3 - $12. 

What to Wear

Remember you will be in a park environment (no paved surfaces). Closed-toe shoes are recommended. On colder days hats, gloves and scarves are recommended as winds can be high and the historic buildings are not heated.

Safety

Fire ants, wasps and bees are a part of the ecosystem of the park. While the park manages these as best they can, teachers should be aware of their presence and bring a first-aid kit with them during their field trip.

While a single water fountain is available on the grounds bottled water is recommended for all students on warmer days.