Historic Brattonsville

Experience living history at this 800-acre historic site. Explore the struggle for liberty in America.

History

History

What's Happening

What's Happening

Plan Your Visit

Plan Your Visit

Historic Brattonsville presents the history of the Scots-Irish and African-Americans in the South Carolina upcountry through preserving and interpreting the buildings and stories of the Brattonsville community. Featuring more than 30 historic structures from the 1760s to the late-19th century, the site provides visitors with an opportunity to see the evolution of Southern culture and architecture in the Carolina Piedmont. Currently, two of the Bratton family houses are closed for preservation. 

Learn how people farmed the land, cooked their food, and entertained themselves in the 18th and 19th centuries through interpreters in period clothing. These historical activities and others are presented year-round, Tuesday through Saturday.  

Delve into the founding struggle for liberty by walking the American Revolutionary War battlefield of Huck’s Defeat and watching a video documentary that brings to life the events of July 1780. Come away with an understanding of the continued struggle for liberty in the years following the American Civil War by visiting the new exhibit entitled, “Liberty & Resistance: Reconstruction and the African-American Community at Brattonsville, 1865-1877” inside the recently restored Brick House.

Battle of Huck’s Defeat

Huck’s defeat was one of a series of significant Revolutionary War battles that resulted in a Patriot victory. 

African American History

Historic Brattonsville is one of the few living history sites with African-American interpretation.

Historic Structures

There are more than 30 different historic structures that you can visit at Historic Brattonsville.

Hightower hall

First known as “Forest Hall,” this two-story, Italianate house with a three-story tower, was built for John Simpson Bratton Jr. and his wife.

The Farm

Home to an award-winning Heritage Farm Program, the farm currently keeps sheep,  poultry, cattle, and pigs.

Walt Schrader Trails

This 6 mile network of backcountry paths crosses land steeped in local history and tradition.

History

In 1766, William and Martha Bratton purchased 200 acres along the South Fork of Fishing Creek in present-day York County, South Carolina. During the American Revolution, the war came to the Bratton doorstep when a detachment of the British Legion was searching for Colonel William Bratton, a Patriot militia officer, in July 1780 which resulted in the Battle of Huck’s Defeat.

The Bratton’s 1766 purchase of 200 acres established the Bratton plantation that grew to more than 4000 acres over the next century under the management of their youngest son, John Simpson Bratton.  The growth of the plantation came as a result the agricultural labor of the enslaved people, owned by the Brattons, in the production of cotton. By 1819, the Bratton plantation became known as Brattonsville with John Simpson Bratton opening a post office inside of his store.

What’s Happening

21

Mar.

Night Hike

Ever wonder what creatures you hear at night? Join Museum of York County’s Senior Interpreter on a night hike at Historic Brattonsville. We will hike the trail to quiet spots to hear and see what animals come out in the evening and learn about their unique adaptations. Advanced Registration Required. To register e-mail scheduler@chmuseums.org.

23

Mar.

Founding Mothers: Train Her Up

Join us for this month’s Living History Saturdays which focus on the lives and daily activities of women of different social classes in the Brattonsville community. This weekend’s activities include Catherine Ladd and the Brattonsville Female Seminary and historic cooking.

30

Mar.

Founding Mothers: Work and Play

Join us for this month’s Living History Saturdays which focus on the lives and daily activities of women of different social classes in the Brattonsville community. This weekend’s activities include 18th and 19th Century Dancing and weaving for income craft demonstration.

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