Step inside Bluffton’s past: Historic Foundation hosts 2025 Tour of Homes

History and hospitality will come together this fall as the Historic Bluffton Foundation opens the doors of some of the town’s most treasured homes.
The 2025 Historic Bluffton Foundation Tour of Homes will take place Saturday, Oct. 4th, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors will have the rare chance to step inside seven historic private residences as well as the Heyward House Museum and Welcome Center, a cornerstone of Bluffton’s preservation efforts.

The tour begins at the Heyward House, located at 70 Boundary Street, where guests will check in starting at 9:30 a.m. The house, built in 1841, serves as Bluffton’s official welcome center and one of only eight antebellum homes remaining in town. From there, attendees will embark on a self-guided journey through Bluffton’s Historic District, discovering homes that tell stories of the community’s resilience and growth.

Homes with history
According to the Historic Bluffton Foundation, the residences featured on this year’s tour were chosen “for their historic significance, their connection to the community, and their role in shaping the future of Bluffton.” Knowledgeable docents will be stationed in each location, sharing context and anecdotes that bring the architecture and history to life.

The homes are kept private until the day of the tour, a tradition that both safeguards homeowner privacy and heightens anticipation. Each stop is within reasonable walking distance of the Heyward House, and guests are encouraged to wear comfortable shoes for the roughly three-hour event.

Photography, pets, strollers, and service animals are not permitted inside the homes, and all children of walking age must have a ticket.

A stroll through Bluffton’s charm
Beyond the tour, Bluffton itself offers a wealth of landmarks worth visiting. Just a short walk from the Heyward House, Calhoun Street leads to the banks of the May River, where visitors can enjoy the views from Wright Family Park or the Squire Pope Carriage House. The river, long central to Bluffton’s economy and culture, remains a vital natural resource, sustaining oysters, blue crabs, shrimp, and fish.

Standing proudly on the bluff at the end of Calhoun Street is the Church of the Cross, perhaps Bluffton’s most iconic structure. Designed by Charleston architect Edward Brickell White, the church was built between 1854 and 1857 using heart pine set on brick piers. Its lancet windows and palmetto frond shutters have made it a fixture of Bluffton’s skyline for more than 150 years.

Equally significant is the Squire Pope Carriage House, which today houses the Bluffton Welcome Center. Built in 1850, it survived the Civil War’s “Burning of Bluffton” in 1863. After a major restoration effort completed in 2020, the structure now serves as a symbol of the town’s commitment to preserving its heritage.

What to expect
Tickets for the tour can be purchased in advance through Eventbrite or, in limited numbers, on the day of the event. Prices vary by age, and all attendees must present a brochure—provided at check-in—to gain access to each home.

Comfort is key, organizers advise. Guests should dress for walking and avoid high heels, which are not allowed inside the homes.
Public restrooms will be available at the Heyward House, Wright Family Park, Martin Family Park, and Oyster Factory Park.

Parking is available on the street and in designated lots, with no parking permitted at any of the private homes.

Southern fare will be available for purchase at the Heyward House throughout the day, offering guests a chance to pause and enjoy Lowcountry flavors between stops.

Supporting preservation
Proceeds from the Tour of Homes go directly to the Historic Bluffton Foundation, which oversees preservation initiatives across the town.

“All money raised from the Tour of Homes will help support the mission of the Historic Bluffton Foundation,” the organization stated. “Our mission is to preserve historic structures, the May River and our Archives. We safeguard Bluffton’s past while promoting the distinctive character and identity essential to our future.”

The foundation manages not only the Heyward House but also preservation programs, archival collections, and events that highlight Bluffton’s unique history. Funds from the tour support ongoing efforts to protect historic properties, maintain the town’s archives, and preserve Bluffton’s distinctive identity amid the growth and development reshaping the Lowcountry.

A legacy worth protecting
Bluffton’s story is one of resilience. Founded in the early 1800s, the town was largely destroyed during the Civil War, yet several structures endured. These homes, alongside later historic buildings, serve as tangible reminders of Bluffton’s past.

The Tour of Homes highlights this legacy by offering the public a firsthand experience inside private residences rarely open to visitors. For both locals and out-of-town guests, it’s an opportunity to better understand the town’s evolution—from its antebellum roots to its role today as a thriving Lowcountry community.

Organizers stress that the event is more than a showcase of architecture; it’s a living tribute to the generations that built and rebuilt Bluffton. Each home has its own story, shaped by families, economic shifts, and the natural environment. Together, they form a narrative of continuity and change that defines the community.

Plan your visit
The 2025 Historic Bluffton Foundation Tour of Homes runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4th. Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Heyward House, and no check-ins will be accepted after 3 p.m.

The event is not handicap accessible, and pets and service animals are not allowed. Guests should anticipate approximately three hours to complete the self-guided tour.

Tickets and additional details are available at eventbrite.com