P. O. BOX 174, EDGEFIELD
SOUTH CAROLINA 29824
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Edgefield County Historical Society, 1785, photo graphic
Edgefield County Historical Society logo
803-637-2233
info@historicedgefield.com 
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WELCOME!

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Founded in 1939, the Edgefield County Historical Society is one of the oldest county historical societies in South Carolina. Over its more than eight decades of existence, the Society has done much to promote to promote Edgefield County’s rich history and make the county a more interesting and inviting place in which to visit or live.

The Society has published many scholarly pamphlets, booklets and books on a vast variety of subjects related to the history of Edgefield County. It has sponsored many major events, including tours of historical homes and history conferences. It has promoted the preservation and restoration of historic structures and sites.
Edgefield County
“I usually take the position that any place that has been occupied by human beings is intrinsically as historical as any other place; but I don’t think there can be any doubt that Edgefield, SC is one of the most intrinsically interesting historical places anywhere around.”
– Charles Joyner, PhD
Burroughs Distinguished Professor of Southern History and Culture
Coastal Carolina University
March 2005
It has welcomed all those who are interested in Edgefield history and provided information and guidance to authors, scholars and countless others about the county and its people.

Currently it owns and operates three museums: the Joanne T. Rainsford Discovery Center, Magnolia Dale House Museum and Horn’s Creek Church Museum. The Discovery Center also houses the William Miller Bouknight Theatre where the Society sponsors theatrical and musical performances and lectures throughout the year.
UPCOMING EVENTS COMING TO TERMS WITH OUR HISTORY
“I usually take the position that any place that has been occupied by human beings is intrinsically as historical as any other place; but I don’t think there can be any doubt that Edgefield is one of the most intrinsically interesting historical places anywhere around.”
–Charles Joyner, PhD
Burroughs Distinguished Professor of Southern History and Culture Coastal Carolina University
March, 2005
It has welcomed all those who are interested in Edgefield history and provided information and guidance to authors, scholars and countless others about the county and its people.

Currently it owns and operates three museums: the Joanne T. Rainsford Discovery Center, Magnolia Dale House Museum and Horn’s Creek Church Museum. The Discovery Center also houses the William Miller Bouknight Theatre where the Society sponsors theatrical and musical performances and lectures throughout the year.
UPCOMING EVENTS
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HISTORICAL SOCIETY INFORMATION

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History
Mission & History
Museums
Publications
Membership
Beautiful large old yellow house
Edgefield County Historical Society exterior
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HISTORICAL HOMES & SITES
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Experience Historic Edgefield, SC with our Walking and Driving Tours

Walking
Driving
LEARN MORE
TOUR OF CHURCHES

New Book available in Fall 2025

Edgefield Camellia Tea

February 12, 2026

2:00 to 4:00 PM FREE, Drop-in

Magnolia Dale

320 Norris St., Edgefield, SC 29824

Please RSVP to help us with refreshments, at: www.eventbrite.com/



Enjoy delicious hot tea and locally made delicious refreshments while admiring the hundreds of local camellia blooms. This in-person event is the perfect opportunity to relax, socialize, and appreciate the beauty of camellias. Don't miss out on this unique experience. Sponsored by the Edgefield County Historical Society. Tickets are not required at the door, they do help us prepare for the number of guests. Camellia plants will be on sale nearby at the Discovery Center.


Camellias are special to the South and were first introduced in South Carolina 1786 by French botanist André Michaux to Middleton place. The camellia tea is a special tradition in the town of Edgefield, South Carolina each February. The event first began in the 1940s, disappeared for decades and began again in 2008. More than 200 beautiful camellia blooms ranging from 1790s to 2000s are on display, from local gardens. Each bloom is labeled with name and date and resides in a glass vase within the historic Magnolia Dale, 1843 house museum. Guests attend for free and enjoy a fine array of homemade tea refreshments on silver platters and hot Russian tea as they peruse the blooms and enjoy the pleasant afternoon.


SEE MORE EVENTS

Weddings

For her wedding, Summer Robinson wanted someplace “quaint and quiet, with a backyard feel.”Her mother, Jenny Robinson, wanted it to be beautiful and classy as well. They found and fell in love with the idyllic setting of Horn’s Creek Church Museum.


For more information, please contact Beth Francis at (706) 951-1914 or the Edgefield County Historical Society’s office at (803) 637-2233.

Horn's Creek interior.