Thursday, April 3 – Saturday, April 5
A Celebration of the Cultural Contributions of the Huguenots and their Descendants
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2025
Our offerings for each day of the Fête are listed below. Some activities have an entrance cost and some are free of charge. The underlined items have a cost and require you to purchase a ticket which you may do by scrolling down and “add to cart” your selections. All funds go toward covering the cost of arranging private events, exhibits and speakers.
Thursday, April 3
Huguenot Footsteps Walking Tour #1
Annual Anniversary Meeting
Reception : Huguenot Punch, Pop Up Shop & Fête information
free for members
Friday, April 4
Huguenot Footsteps Walking Tour #2
South Carolina Historical Society: French Santee Archives
The Charleston Museum: Textiles and Collection Archives
Saturday, April 5
Note: All “Ramblers” will receive a printed tour guide booklet to enhance the day’s options.
French Service at French Santee Cross Site
Guided Santee River Cruise
Scenic Drive Old Georgetown Road
St. James-Santee Parish Church/Wambaw/Brick Church
Peachtree Plantation Ruins with Dr. Kendy Altizer, Private Tour
Fairfield Plantation Private Tour
Hopsewee Plantation (pay as you enter)
Eldorado Ruins
Santee Coastal Reserve with Dr. Richard Porcher, Private Talk
Grand Finale at Hampton Plantation
Village Museum in McClellanvile
Scenic Drive between Santee Coastal Reserve / McClellanville
Click map to enlarge
SCROLL DOWN TO REVIEW EVENTS AND PURCHASE TICKETS
Thursday, April 3
Thursday, April 3 | 10-11:30am
Tour Begins in Washington Square Park
Directions >
NEW: Walking in Huguenot Footsteps
Also, offered Friday, 8:30am as Tour #2
$35 per person / Capacity 20 persons per tour
NEWLY RESEARCHED TOUR
This is an updated version of the walking tour that exclusively focuses on Huguenots in colonial Charles Towne. The tour is guided by the Society’s Abbey Markiewicz who has been a tour guide in Charleston for several years and is our Registrar. The tour was written by the Society’s historians. This walking tour moves at a comfortable pace. If you took the tour in April 2024, this tour is at a slower walking pace, covers less walking territory and the content is exclusive to Huguenot history.
BONUS SITE: 11:30am - 12:30pm
The walking tour concludes at The French Protestant (Huguenot) Church where you will be able to enjoy the church interiors with a complementary history guide booklet and docent. The church is open to the public during this time.
RAIN DATE:
Friday, April 4, 8:30am
Click image to enlarge
No cost. Members Only Followed by Reception.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
4:00pm - 5:00pm
FOUNDERS HALL
CHARLES TOWNE LANDING
DIRECTIONS >
This year’s meeting will feature a talk by our Society’s historian, Harriott Cheves Leland, on “The Richmond and The Margaret: What became of the passengers?” The Richmond and The Margaret were the names of the ships that brought the first two groups of Huguenot refugees to the port of Charles Towne. Cheves has been working for over a year to provide the Society with an updated view into the passengers and what we can document about their arrival (or not) and what became of them. She is also our resident expert on French Santee and will be our historian for the events of the weekend.
Reception to follow immediately after the meeting and all members are encouraged to attend and enjoy the fellowship.
Members no cost. Guests $50/each.
THURSDAY, APRIL 3
5:00pm - 7:00pm
FOUNDERS HALL
CHARLES TOWNE LANDING
DIRECTIONS >
After the Anniversary Meeting, we will adjourn to the porch and patio for our delicious Huguenot Punch and buffet of delights. This is a joyous opportunity to meet new members and visit with dear friends. Please joins us as we kick off three days of celebration and fellowship. A hearty menu will be offered along with beverages.
To help us plan for food and beverages, members please add yourself to the “cart” at no cost and if you will bring a guest, add each guest to the quantity as “non members” to your cart. This will provide us with a headcount for planning and will cover payment for any guests.
Dinner on your own.
Friday, April 4
Friday, April 4
8:30am - 10am
Tour Begins in Washington Square Park
Directions >
NEW: Walking in Huguenot Footsteps
$35 per person / Capacity 20 persons per tour
NEWLY RESEARCHED TOUR
This is an updated version of the walking tour that exclusively focuses on Huguenots in colonial Charles Towne. The tour is guided by the Society’s Abbey Markiewicz who has been a tour guide in Charleston for several years and is our Registrar. The tour was written by the Society’s historians. This walking tour moves at a comfortable pace. If you took the tour in April 2024, this tour is at a slower walking pace, covers less walking territory and the content is exclusive to Huguenot history.
BONUS SITE: French Protestant (Huguenot) Church
For those who are not proceeding to the South Carolina Historical Society event, you may visit the French Protestant (Huguenot) Church at the conclusion of the walking tour. If you are going to the 10am event at the Historical Society, you may return to see the church interior any time before 2:00pm.
RAIN DATE:
Friday, April 4, 8:30am
Click image to enlarge
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
10:00AM - 12:00PM
South Carolina Historical Society
100 Meeting Street, Meet at the iron gate entrance on the Meeting Street side of the Fireproof Building
Charleston, SC 29403
Capacity: 75
This curated exhibit will feature French Santee and the families of the Jamestown settlement. The museum is closed to the public for this special two-hour experience in the galleries of the Fireproof Building. Remarks will be provided by Dr. Elizabeth Chew, CEO of the SCHS. This is a rain or shine event.
FRIDAY, APRIL 4
2:00PM - 4:00PM
The Charleston Museum
360 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
Capacity: 75
Featuring textiles and items from the collection, this private tour will focus on French Santee and the Jamestown settlement. Jennifer McCormick, Chief Curator, and Virginia Theerman, Curator of Historic Textiles, will be our hosts for this special exhibit.
Among the textile selections, we expect to see a dress of Harriott (Pinckney) Horry (1748-1830) of Hampton Plantation and a dress of Mary Sarah Lightwood (1771-1847) a descendant of Henri and Desiré Peronneau as well as a waist coat worn by William Manigault Heyward, Sr. of Charleston at the baptism of the King of Rome, Duke of Reichstadt, Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte. In addition we expect to view the deed to Jamestowne and other archival treasures related to French Santee and its families.
Dinner on your own.
Saturday, April 3
SATURDAY, APRIL 5
10:00am - 11:00am.
French Santee Cross Site
Mt. Moriah Avenue
Charleston, SC 29453
There is no charge for this event, however, we do need you to add this to your cart at checkout so we can plan the space and program count.
Members and guests welcome.
This special service will be held to remember the Promulgation of the Edict of Nantes utilizing the The Liturgy of the French Protestant Church.
The service will be conducted in French and officiated by the Society’s chaplain, Rev. Charles Jenkins.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To attend, you need to be able to walk on firm dirt ground to the cross area. We will have some limited disabled parking space close to the cross.
REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR OWN CHAIR
Saturday, April 5
We are very pleased to partner with Coastal Expeditions to offer this unique opportunity. Join us for an adventure as we travel back in time on the beautiful and pristine Santee River. We will explore the river course known colloquially as the "French Santee" due to the influence and settlements established by the Huguenot families at Jamestown as early as 1687. As we meander slowly down the river we will be able to view the Huguenot cross site on the bluff that was the historic gathering site for the frontier community.
Coastal Expeditions will provide an interpretive naturalist. The Huguenot Society will provide remarks on the Huguenot history. (https://www.coastalexpeditions.com/)
Saturday, April 5
10:30am - 2pm
Fairfield Plantation c. 1730
Directions >
The Society has been provided access to this private home for our event, offering a rare opportunity to our members. The oldest part of Fairfield was probably built by Thomas Lynch I (1680-1738). The Lynch home later became Hopsewee on the North Santee (c1739-1740) was apparently built by Thomas Lynch II, who also built PeachTree (Peachtree) (c1762), located a short distance up the river from Fairfield. Eventually, Jacob Motte, provincial treasurer and his wife Rebecca Brewton Motte acquired Fairfield after their marriage in 1758.
Interior tours begin every half hour.
Ramble ticket holders only. Tour guide will host interior tour.
Tours hosted by Dr. Kendy Altizer. On top of a sandy rise, nestled among new growth pines on the lower reaches of the South Santee River near its delta, sit the ruins of what is said to have been one of the grandest colonial era plantation homes in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. It was once the home of the prominent Lynch family who were Lowcountry rice planters and politicians. Thomas Lynch, Jr. was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. The main house, though now a ruin, is an example of Palladian architecture not often seen in plantation contexts. The house was built between 1760 and 1762 and burned in 1840; it was never reconstructed and what remains today is a ruin of partial walls and rubble.
Saturday, April 5
Dr. Richard Porcher, Society member and highly regarded scientist and author will host private talks at the observation area inside this stunning reserve. Dr. Porcher will discuss the natural environment as our ancestors would have experienced it and the rice culture that developed at French Santee thereafter. The Society is very pleased to offer this special experience with a most gifted and knowledgable expert.
Saturday, April 5
With full supper buffet, Huguenot punch and more!
Hampton Plantation
1950 Rutledge Rd
McClellanville, SC 29458
SUPPER AT 4PM: Our day of rambling will culminate with a delightful buffet supper on the lawn of Hampton Plantation with a view of the home. We have a delicious catered menu, seating at dining tables, pop up shops, and a terrific shag music DJ for dancing. There will be disabled and regular parking and a shuttle between dinner and the rest rooms. This is your opportunity to relax after a day rambling and to visit with fellow Huguenot descendants and close the Fête with us. Our menu will have grilled healthy options. The full menu will be shared closer to the event date. The price includes a custom gift bag with curated items (retail value $75) and a complementary photo of the group ancestor photo which will be provided electronically after the event.
suggestions for
A Natural Ramble
If you prefer a day outdoors enjoying the natural beauty of French Santee and its history, this natural ramble may be perfect for you.
French Service
French Santee Cross Site
French Service outside at Huguenot Cross Site: French Santee. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the same order of service and liturgy as your ancestors did along the bank of Santee River.
Santee River Tour
14 people per cruise, + guide and crew
Select a boat tour and take a ride on the Santee with our historian and hear of the journey our ancestors made from Charles Towne to Jamestown Advance ticket required.
Old Georgetown Road
After you depart the boat landing, drive down Hwy 45/French Santee Road and turn left onto the Old Georgetown Road to enjoy this historic route to Wambaw/Brick Church.
Brick Church/Wambaw
A perfect place to stop and picnic, two tables are available in the front churchyard. Rest easy under the grand oaks and enjoy your picnic. A docent will be available in the church if you would like a history talk.
Peachtree Ruins with Dr. Kendy Altizer
Peachtree Plantation, c. 1762
After Brick Church, you may continue down the Old Georgetown Road to Rutledge Road take a left to park at Hampton Plantation to take the guided van ride into the Peachtree Ruins. Advance ticket required for this excursion.
Eldorado Ruins
Eldorado Plantation, c. 1797
After Brick Church, you may continue down the Old Georgetown Road to Rutledge Road and turn right. Cross over Hwy 17 onto Santee Road and head into Santee Gun Club Road. A beautiful drive into the protected lands of the Santee Coastal Reserve followed by a walk in the wooded lane to the ruins of Eldorado.
The Natural Environment and Rice Culture with Dr. Richard Porcher
After visiting Eldorado, proceed to the Observation Area in the Reservoir to meet Dr. Porcher and enjoy his talk. Advance ticket required for this talk.
Grand Finale at Hampton
After a full day outdoors, come enjoy a nice early supper at 4pm on the lawn of Hampton Plantation. You will have had a beautiful natural day in the pinelands of our ancestors and this will provide a lovely way to celebrate with your fellow ramblers. Advance ticket required.
a suggested itinerary for...
Properties Ramble
If you prefer to avoid walking on dirt lanes and driving back roads and are more interested in properties and a seated lunch, this ramble is ideal.
French Service
French Santee Cross Site
French Service outside at Huguenot Cross Site: French Santee. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the same order of service and liturgy as your ancestors did along the bank of Santee River.
Old Georgetown Road
After you depart the boat landing, drive down Hwy 45/French Santee Road and turn left onto the Old Georgetown Road to enjoy this historic route to Wambaw/Brick Church.
Brick Church/Wambaw
A perfect place to stop and picnic, two tables are available in the front churchyard. Rest easy under the grand oaks and enjoy your picnic. A docent will be available in the church if you would like a history talk.
Fairfield Plantation
Fairfield Plantation c. 1730
PRIVATE HOME, EXCLUSIVE TOUR OFFER
10:30am - 2pm Ramble ticket holders only.
Hopsewee Plantation
Hopsewee Plantation c. 1740
OPEN TO PUBLIC 10am - 3pm
Payment upon entry. $22 adults/$20 seniors. Members and guests welcome. Enjoy a gracious lunch in the River Oak Cottage Tea Room at Hopsewee. Reservations recommended.
Village Museum
401 Pinckney Street
10am - 3pm
Tour guide will escort visitors.
Conclude your rambling with a visit to this museum and enjoy its gift shop, too.
Grand Finale at Hampton
After a full day outdoors, come enjoy a nice early supper at 4pm on the lawn of Hampton Plantation. You will have had a beautiful natural day in the pinelands of our ancestors and this will provide a lovely way to celebrate with your fellow ramblers.
suggestions for
Rambling French Santee
Lunch Options
Dining Out
Full Lunch Menu Available.
Reservations Recommended.
494 Hopsewee Rd.
Georgetown, SC 29440
(843) 546-7891
Menus and further details available on the websites or social media pages of the establishments.
Picnic
Pack your own picnic and enjoy a leisurely break at one of several picnic locations.