What are the opening hours?

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

Dorchester Heritage Center

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United States
Saint George, SC
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]

09/10/2026

In the News! We are excited to share that the Dorchester Heritage Center was awarded a full grant of $90,000 to construct a trail system at our new site in Ridgeville. We’ll begin the project this fall, with two multi-use community trails totaling nearly two miles and created with a far-reaching purpose.

Trail 1 – “The Trail That Heals” will recognize and assist individuals who suffer from PTSD and other stress related disorders. ADA compliant pathways will offer accommodations for limited mobility visitors and wheelchairs. Integral to the trail are multiple “Healing Stations” with signage that instructs visitors in activities and exercises to relieve the impacts of PTSD.

Trail 2 – Edisto Natchez-Kusso Trail is dedicated to telling the story of our local Native American tribe, including their use of native plants for healing and health. Multiple interpretive panels will educate visitors about the tribe as they stroll through the loop.

Both trails will have nature walks for everyone to enjoy the outdoors, walk the family dogs, bird watch, exercise, catch up with friends, and much more. Read more about this amazing project at https://dorchesterheritagecenter.com/full-grant-awarded-for-multi-use-community-trails-designed-for-wellness-and-education/ and follow along with our progress!

09/09/2026

Where can homeschoolers gather to swap seeds for their home gardens, join in a celebration of Native American culture, clean and spin South Carolina grown cotton, and learn to identify migratory birds?

The Dorchester Heritage Center is a homeschooler’s hub! We support local homeschool groups through our Friday Field Trips, designed just for you. With a brand-new curriculum, our resources and hands-on, specialty programming will encourage homeschoolers to extend learning beyond the home, bringing local history and culture to life. Connect with other parents, form friendships, and engage in discovery individually or as a collective group.

Field Trip Fridays are held on the 4th Friday of every month. Sessions will be held throughout the day unless otherwise noted.

Visit our website to plan your Friday Field Trips for the new school year: https://dorchesterheritagecenter.com/new-school-year-new-field-trip-fridays/

09/07/2026

Join us in congratulating our Board of Trustees member, Edsel Taylor, for receiving a prestigious Order of the Palmetto award on July 20 during a Dorchester County Council meeting. Considered a once-in-a-lifetime accomplishment, the Order of the Palmetto is the highest civilian honor, awarded by the governor to South Carolinians who have demonstrated extraordinary achievement, service, and leadership.

Read all about Edsel’s accomplishments and his heart for service here: https://dorchesterheritagecenter.com/dhc-board-member-edsel-taylor-honored-with-order-of-the-palmetto/

Photo courtesy of Dorchester County.

09/04/2026

The Dorchester Heritage Center is open at our St. George location Tuesday through Friday, 9:00 AM through 4:00 PM. Last tickets are sold by 3:00 PM.

09/01/2026

We’re getting our hands on some INDIGO at the Dorchester Heritage Center!

Our latest Field Trip Friday gave local homeschool families the chance to experience history from the ground up ... literally. Students harvested indigo, learned how the plant was traditionally processed and then helped create the rich blue dye used to color fabrics.

It’s exactly what Field Trip Fridays are all about: taking learning beyond the textbook and giving students the opportunity to see, touch and experience the history and culture of our region.

Field Trip Fridays are designed for students in third grade and up and are held on the fourth Friday of each month, with special hands-on lessons and activities centered around a seasonal theme.

No registration is required. Just come ready to learn, explore and get your hands on history at the Dorchester Heritage Center!

Learn more about upcoming programs:
https://dorchesterheritagecenter.com/new-school-year-new-field-trip-fridays/

08/31/2026

We’re putting our open field to work for Dorchester County, and this time, it’s for our four-legged neighbors!

The Dorchester Heritage Center is excited to welcome Dorchester Paws to Ridgeville for a FREE Pet Community Day on Saturday, September 19.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Dorchester County residents can bring their dogs and cats to our site for important preventive care at no cost, including:

🐾 Rabies vaccinations
🐾 DHPP vaccinations for dogs
🐾 FVRCP vaccinations for cats
🐾 FREE microchipping

Come to the Dorchester Heritage Center. We're located at 964 Highway 78 in Ridgeville, on Saturday, September 19, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Residents may bring up to five animals per vehicle.

We’re proud to partner with Dorchester Paws to bring this valuable service directly to our community and make quality pet care more accessible across Dorchester County.

Special thanks to Dorchester County, Petco Love and Renewal by Andersen for making this community event possible.

Mark your calendar and help us spread the word!

08/27/2026

Three nights. One legendary haunt. Heritage Haunt is coming to Ridgeville this fall, and you don’t want to miss it.

Heritage Haunt brings together the best of Halloween tradition and Lowcountry community spirit. With haunted hayrides, trunk or treat, live music, glow foam night, costume contests, food trucks and more, this festival is set to become Dorchester County’s premier Halloween celebration.

Stay tuned as the magic unfolds!

08/25/2026

Bring us your old family photos, letters, business records, community documents, posters, and memorabilia! The Dorchester Heritage Center is a collecting agency. We will preserve and safeguard your pieces and use them to share the history and stories of the people from the inland Lowcountry. Help us to paint the picture of life in our community and to bring local history alive for the next generation!

08/21/2026

A new partnership is bringing free pet care to Ridgeville!

The Dorchester Heritage Center is proud to partner with Dorchester Paws for a FREE Pet Community Day for Dorchester County residents on Saturday, September 19.

Bring your dogs and cats to the Heritage Center’s open field for free:

🐾 Rabies vaccinations
🐾 DHPP vaccinations for dogs
🐾 FVRCP vaccinations for cats
🐾 Microchipping

DETAILS:
Saturday, September 19, 10 am – 2 pm
Dorchester Heritage Center, located at 964 Highway 78 in Ridgeville

Residents may bring up to four animals per vehicle.

This community event is made possible through the support of Dorchester County, Petco Love and Renewal by Andersen.

We’re excited to open our grounds for a day dedicated to keeping Dorchester County pets healthy, safe and cared for.

08/20/2026

Coming soon in Ridgeville—our new, state-of-the-art facility that will house museum exhibits, archives, educational spaces, community gathering areas, and outdoor experiences that connect people to our county’s rich natural landscape. The Dorchester Heritage Center will be a destination for learning, preservation, and celebration, and we can’t wait to share it with you!

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

https://dorchesterheritagecenter.com/

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