Dorchester Heritage Center

Dorchester Heritage Center Our Mission:

Preserving Today for Tomorrow

Contact us at (843)931-1020/1021 or [email protected]

Group and individual tours of the museum are available Tuesday - Friday 9:00 am - 4pm and Saturdays by appointment only. To schedule a group tour, call 843-931-1020/1021 or email [email protected]

Get hands-on with prehistoric history at the Dorchester Heritage Center!Future paleontologists, curious kids, and lifelo...
06/12/2026

Get hands-on with prehistoric history at the Dorchester Heritage Center!

Future paleontologists, curious kids, and lifelong learners will love exploring the Harry and Penny Batten Hands-on Fossil Education Collection. Unlike many museum exhibits, these fossils aren't just for looking. Visitors can examine, touch, and compare specimens for a truly interactive learning experience.

The Battens have spent years building an incredible collection of fossils from our region, and now you can get an up-close look at pieces of South Carolina's ancient past.

Did you know: Our region sits atop one of the largest fossil deposits of prehistoric marine and land animals in the United States, making Dorchester County a treasure trove for fossil enthusiasts.

Come discover what was roaming and swimming here millions of years ago!

Learn more here: https://dorchesterheritagecenter.com/dig-in-to-fossils/

Explore our membership benefits! When you visit the Dorchester Heritage Center, you can apply the cost of the entrance f...
06/11/2026

Explore our membership benefits! When you visit the Dorchester Heritage Center, you can apply the cost of the entrance fee toward an entire year membership. We offer multiple categories for membership, from student, to family, to corporate. As an added perk, a family level (and above) membership will include free entry to participating organizations across the globe through the NARM program. The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association® is a network of 1,512 art museums and galleries, historical museums and societies, botanical gardens, children’s museums, zoos, and more!

Your support helps ensure that our stories—the shared histories of the people of Dorchester County and the Inland Lowcountry—can be preserved and shared with the community for generations to come.

To become a member of the Dorchester Heritage Center, click here:
https://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_5964f559-13da-11eb-8669-069f1c62f2e9&WidgetId=2694145

Planning ahead to next year??Teachers, we can help you design your own field trip at the Dorchester Heritage Center. Con...
06/08/2026

Planning ahead to next year??

Teachers, we can help you design your own field trip at the Dorchester Heritage Center. Connect with us to plan a visit that brings your South Carolina history lessons to life.

Field trip discount: $2 off per student, teachers free.

Reach out to our Museum Director, Bob Sherman, to learn more!

Vendors, join us in Ridgeville! Our vibrant weekly market is offered every Saturday from 9 am - 2 pm, now through Decemb...
06/03/2026

Vendors, join us in Ridgeville! Our vibrant weekly market is offered every Saturday from 9 am - 2 pm, now through December. Shoppers can find traditional farmers market favorites—fresh produce, baked goods, and local fare—alongside an expanded selection of retail offerings.

New vendor applications are open.

Please reach out to David Dement at [email protected] if you are interested in becoming a part of this local, family-driven market that has something for everyone.

They've landed and you helped us figure out their names! Please welcome Blackwater Bonnie and River Jack Rutledge to the...
06/01/2026

They've landed and you helped us figure out their names! Please welcome Blackwater Bonnie and River Jack Rutledge to the DHC for the summer (or until they can catch a sail home).

Programming opens on Tuesday for .

Our local pirates have been planning and scheming a takeover of the Dorchester Heritage Center this summer!Map out a pla...
06/01/2026

Our local pirates have been planning and scheming a takeover of the Dorchester Heritage Center this summer!

Map out a plan to join us! The Dorchester Heritage Center is pleased to offer all new pirate-themed programming planned for the summer. As you venture through our halls, check out the newest exhibit of scallywags, and stash away your loot after a thrilling scavenger hunt. Get ready for Lowcountry fun with your mates, creating memories you’ll treasure!

Equestrians, don’t miss your opportunity on Saturday, June 6, to experience the beauty of the Dorchester Heritage Center...
05/30/2026

Equestrians, don’t miss your opportunity on Saturday, June 6, to experience the beauty of the Dorchester Heritage Center from the saddle.

Our Equestrian Trail Ride, presented by Leaning Oak Leathercraft, offers riders a morning of exploration along a straightforward forest loop trail that circles our 81-acre property. It’s an excellent setting for green horses and young equestrians refining their skills. You must bring your own horse to participate.

Tickets are available: Adults (18+) – $20, Ages 14–17 – $10, Ages 13 and under – Free.
All fees support the Dorchester Heritage Center and its programs.

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ymu7m689

Every Saturday through December at our Ridgeville location, join us at “The Market” from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm. Our expanded...
05/27/2026

Every Saturday through December at our Ridgeville location, join us at “The Market” from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Our expanded market offers shoppers local farmers market favorites—fresh produce, baked goods, and local fare—alongside an expanded selection of retail and artisan offerings.

Vendors, please reach out to David Dement at [email protected] if you’d like to be a part of our local market community!

On May 26, join us for Dorchester Heritage Center’s Discovery Series. Our guest speaker will be Rachel Barnett, who will...
05/24/2026

On May 26, join us for Dorchester Heritage Center’s Discovery Series. Our guest speaker will be Rachel Barnett, who will present “The Jewish Experience in South Carolina.” Barnett is the director of the state’s Jewish Historical Society and is the co-author of “Kugels & Collards: Stories of Food, Family, and Tradition in Jewish South Carolina.”

The Jewish Historical Society of South Carolina was founded in 1994 to study, preserve, and promote awareness of the history and culture of the Jews of South Carolina. Originally begun to preserve memories about small town Jewish life in South Carolina, the Society has expanded over its 30-year history to provide conferences, a biannual magazine, and documentation of Jewish burial grounds and Jewish merchants across South Carolina. Membership in the Society is open to all.

The event will be held at the Dorchester County Library, Ashley River Branch, from 6-7:30 pm.

Visit our website to learn more:
https://dorchesterheritagecenter.com/may-discovery-se…e-rachel-barnett/

Arrr! Pirates are invading the Dorchester Heritage Center this summer, and our treasure is at risk! We’ll need all hands...
05/21/2026

Arrr! Pirates are invading the Dorchester Heritage Center this summer, and our treasure is at risk! We’ll need all hands on-deck to make sure Blackbeard and his buccaneers walk the plank.

Join us for all new pirate-themed programming this summer for scallywags of all ages. Stay tuned for more details!

Address

101 Ridge Street
Saint George, SC
29477

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+18439311021

Website

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