Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site — Attraction in Summerville

When I first visited this place back in the late 1990’s, it was a mess and unkept. I recently visited in 2022, and what a big change for the better. This is a historical Revolutionary site that should be a part of your touring visit if your very interested in American war battles/history. The park rangers are a wealth of knowledge. I recommend (Googling) this place prior to planning your trip. There are some fees associated in visiting this place. ADMISSION $3 adults; $1.50 SC seniors; $1 children age 6-15; age 5 & younger free. Hours of operation to vary. HOURS 9am-6pm, daily, during Daylight Saving Time. 9am-5pm, daily, the remainder of the year. OFFICE 11 a.m. - noon, Thurs. - Mon. If your going in the summer months, have water and bug spray with you. There is no WI-FI available. PETS Pets are allowed in most outdoor areas provided they are kept under physical restraint or on a leash not longer than six feet. Owners will be asked to remove noisy or dangerous pets or pets that threaten or harass wildlife. Pets are not allowed in or around lodging facilities.

TOP 5 THINGS TO DO See part of a log wharf visible at low tide on the Ashley River that was once used as a highway for a trading town. Get a glimpse of a remarkably preserved past and tour the site of a former village. Explore the historic cemetery and the intact remains of the old brick bell tower of St. George’s Anglican Church See the fort, built in 1757, made of oyster shell concrete called tabby, the best-preserved tabby fortification in the nation. Embark on a journey through time where visitors can watch as archaeologists unearth the...

For such a small park there is lots to enjoy here. From spending they day here for a picnic or going on the self guided tour you can appreciate this SC State Park for all it's worth. There is an entrance fee based on the honest program so they don't have anyone guarding the entrance. Please make sure to pay it truly helps persevere and keeps our parks open. There is an SC National Guard and Senior discount when entering. This park is surrounded by the Ashley River and you can see a great view of it near the brink that reminds. I've gone to this place for years and it has evolved over time. The park now has it's own replica stand of what the area may have looked like when the settlers were there. Since this is one of the SC State Parks that you can get a stamp for it's located by the main sign within the park. There is plenty of parking as well. There's no store to get souvenir's from, unfortunately. You will see the sign for the park from the road where you will drive about a quarter mile or so to get...

My kids and I loved this place.

It's small, but deceptively so-- we found ourselves transported into history as we examined the tabby fort, stood on the riverbank, and walked through the remnants of the sacked town.

At some point we learned we were standing where Theodore Roosevelt once stood, when he toured the same location.

I really didn't expect my two teenagers to enjoy this so much. It's possible they were humoring me, but they asked so many questions!

The pamphlets for the self-guided tour were very comprehensive and well written, and we found ourselves doing some further reading about events and personalities brought to life by this experience once we had gone back to the hotel. There's just something surreal about being in contact with history this distant in such a way: it feels almost like you've stumbled onto it by accident, discovering it for yourself.

If you're near Summerville or Charleston and want to feel the past in a visceral way,...