Cultural Tennis Historic Watersports Hilton Head History

The areas written history dates back to 1564 when the French settled on Parris Island across from Hilton Head. Yet history in the region stretches back another 10,000 years to the arrival of Native Americans. The culture has also been influenced by Spanish and English settlements and African slaves on the sea island and Lowcountry plantations. Such a mix of inhabitants throughout the centuries has given the area a rich history and a vibrant arts culture, which is a great source of pride in the region.

festivals | tours | museums | galleries

Regional Arts, Festivals & Performances

• Elizabeth Wallace Theater -The Self Family Arts Center -
  14 Shelter Cove Lane / Hilton Head / 843-842-ARTS ( 2787)
  This venue hosts local plays and performances as well as guest concerts from world renown artists.
  
  
• Gullah Festival - Beaufort / SC / 843-525-0628 - Native Islander Gullah Celebration - Call for information
  843-682-3742
  The Gullah Festival takes place in May in Beaufort, the Native Islander Gullah Celebration takes place during the month of February. Both of these events celebrates the sea islands Gullah culture with a series of performances, storytelling, music and dancing. Art, crafts and food are also a big part of this festivals.
  
  
• Hallelujah Singers - Beaufort / SC
  A nationally acclaimed vocal group that preserves the rich musical legacy of the Gullah heritage, performances throughout the year at festivals and Concert venues.
  
  
• Hilton Head Orchestra - 32 Office Park Road / 301 The Courtyard / Hilton Head Island
  843-842-2055
  The Concert Season for the Hilton head Orchestra runs from October through May, with performances played at the First Presbyterian Church of Hilton Head.
  
  
• Premiere Weekend of the Arts - Hilton Head Island / 843-686-4944
  A spring performing arts extravaganza with wine tastings, entertainment and artists displaying their works from all over the country. This event usually takes place in early May and is sponsored by the Hilton Head Hospitality Association.
  
  
• Springfest - Hilton Head Island / 843-686-4944
  A month-long celebration (March 1 through 31) of the arts in Hilton Head with Concerts, special events and the arts, sponsored by the Hilton Head Hospitality Association.
  
  
• Winter Carnival - Hilton Head Island / 843-686-4944
  An ongoing series of island events that takes place during the months of January and February, sponsored by the Hilton Head Hospitality Association.
  

Historic & Cultural Tours

• African Village Tour - Sheldon / SC / 843-846-8900
  Tour Oyotunji Village with their Yoruba Temple dancers, drummer and singers. / $
  
  
• Gullah Heritage Tours – 540 Spanish Wells Road / Hilton Head Island / 843-838-7066
  By reservation only, discover the Gullah heritage of the Sea Islands. / $
  
  
• Gullah-N-Geechie Tours – St Helena Island / 843-838-7516
  Two-hour bus tours of St. Helena Island including the Penn Center. / $
  
  
• The Spirit of Old Beaufort - 1003 West Street Ext. / Beaufort / SC / 843-525-0459
  Narrated walking tour of Beaufort’s East Side or West Side, guides for step-on bus tours are also available. / $

Museums & Arts Centers

• Coastal Discovery Museum – 100 William Hilton Parkway / Hilton Head / 843-689-6767 / Museum Free, Fees for tours
  This facility explores the coastal history and nature with a hands-on approach. The indoor exhibits are accompanied by a short outdoor nature trail. The museum also offers 15 different tours and cruises to various locations, reservations are recommended for these events especially during peak seasons.
  
  
• Edisto Island Museum – SC Rte. 714 / Edisto / 843-869-1954 / Modest Fee - Children 10 and under Free
  With displays spanning the areas history from the original native Americans to the sea island plantation life and the Civil War, the Edisto Museum provides a great overview of the regions history and culture.
  
  
• Lowcountry Visitors Center & Museum – 1 Lowcountry Lane / Yemessee / 843-717-3090 / Free
  Located in the 1860 Frampton House, the museum replicates a 1900s plantation parlor and displays items from most of the area museums and the SC Artisans Center.
  
  
• Penn Center & York W. Bailey Museum - 110 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive / St. Helena Island / 843-838-2432 / $
  The Penn Center was founded as a school in 1862 to educate newly free slaves. With a campus composed of 18th and 19th century buildings, Penn Center is a significant cultural and educational institution. The complex is accompanied by the York W. Bailey Museum which houses over 1,000 works of African-American Gullah culture and sea island history. Both the Center and Museum are host to the annual Heritage Days celebrations in November.
  
  
• Pratt Memorial Library & Webel Museum - 123 A & B Wilson Street / Ridgeland / 843-726-7813 / Free
  The Pratt Library was a gift to the region by a northern owner of an area plantation, 250 rare books relating to the Lowcountry are housed here as well as Indian artifacts and 200 portraits and maps. The Webel Museum also has Indian artifacts and contains dioramas on the area rice culture and historic materials on the Revolutionary and Civil Wars.
  
  
• The Self Family Arts Center - 14 Shelter Cove Lane / Hilton Head / 843-842-ARTS ( 2787)
  A relatively new ten-million dollar center situated in the heart of the island, The Self Family Arts Center • Walter Greer Gallery • Elizabeth Wallace Theater features the Main Stage with two-level seating for over 300.

Art galleries:

• Calhoun Street Art Gallery - 45 Calhoun Street / Bluffton / 843-757-4278
  
  
• Crossroads Fine Art & Framing - 107 Towne Center / Bluffton / 843-757-5551
  
  
• Endangered Arts, Ltd. - South Island Square / Hilton Head / 843-785-5075
  
  
• Hartough Gallery - Harbour Town / 140 Lighthouse Road / Hilton Head / 843-671-6500
  
  
• Hilton Head Art League Gallery - Pineland Station / Hilton Head / 843-681-5060
  
  
• J. P. Art Enterprises - Unit 15-I Dillon Road / Hilton Head / 843-681-5661
  
  
• Pink House Gallery of Fine Art & Framing - 133 Island Drive / Hilton Head / 843-681-5169
  
  
• Red Piano Art Gallery - 220 Cordillo Parkway / Hilton Head / 843-785-2318
  
  
• The John Stobart Gallery - Harbour Town / 149 Lighthouse Road / Hilton Head / 843-671-2739
  
  
• Swan House Antiques Gallery - 88 Arrow Road / Hilton Head / 843-785-7926
  
  
• Thum’prints Gallery - 3 Northridge Plaza / Hilton Head / 843-681-7863

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