Friends Bus Trip South Carolina Botanical Garden and Fort Hill Plantation House

Bus Trip to South Carolina Botanical Garden and Fort Hill Plantation House

$60 General Admission, $50 Members

Join the Friends of the Garden on our spring trip to the South Carolina Botanical Garden and Fort Hill Plantation House at Clemson University. Clemson University and the South Carolina Botanical Garden were once part of Fort Hill, a sprawling cotton plantation on 1,340 acres. Thomas Green Clemson ultimately bequeathed the plantation and $80,000 to the State of South Carolina for the establishment of a public college, which is today Clemson University.

The botanical garden started in 1958 when Clemson University moved a collection of camellias to a small parcel of land adjacent to main campus. Gradually the property was expanded to 295 acres of native woodlands and cultivated landscapes. In 1992, the state legislature officially named the garden “South Carolina Botanical Garden”. Our visit to the botanical garden includes a one-hour guided tour of some of the major themed gardens. Then you’ll have plenty of time to explore the garden on your own and at your own pace.

Lunch will be at Dienner’s Kitchen, a family owned restaurant featuring a buffet of American comfort foods, a salad bar, soup bar and an extensive dessert bar.

After lunch, we will visit the Fort Hill Plantation House. Docents will lead us through the home and discuss the history of the inhabitants and how the home, the owners and adjoining property changed over a century and a half. The house is furnished with many original items belonging to the Calhoun family.

A moderate amount of walking is required, particularly at the botanical garden. The first floor of the Fort Hill house has several levels and is accessible to walkers but not wheelchairs.