Historic Camden

Historic Camden is a 107 acre outdoor museum complex and affiliated area of the National Park Service. Tours of Historic Camden include visits to many of the areas restored mansions. Guided tours are conducted Tuesday-Friday 10:30A.M., 1:30P.M. and 3P.M., Saturday 10:30A.M.- 4P.M. and Sunday 1:30P.M.- 4P.M., with self-guided tours daily. Buildings and offices closed major holidays. (803) 432-9841 Fax: (803) 432-3815. E-Mail: hiscamden@camden.net. Web Address: www.historic-camden.org. Here's a short listing of some of the homes you'll tour:

Bradley House

Built circa 1800, this log house originally stood about nine miles east of Camden. It was given to the Foundation in 1969 by the Catawba Timber Corporation. After the porches and roof had been dismantled, the house was transported on a truck and restored.

The builder is unknown, but since it stood on land granted to John Bradley in 1775, it is now called the Bradley House.

The neat log construction and interior design featuring a large main room with sleeping loft above are typical of the early log buildings in Kershaw County. However, there are two interesting details which set it apart from the others:

    •  the type of sandstones used in the chimney (flat sandstones were unusual for this part of the country)

    •  and the very fine dovetailing of the logs.

As many of the original stones as possible were salvaged and used when the chimney was rebuilt on the site. The twelve-inch wide downstairs flooring is also original to the house, except for about eight boards.

In this building are exhibits depicting Camden from before colonial settlement to the early years of the Revolutionary period.

Craven House

This house is an example of fine architecture in early Camden. It is believed to have been built soon after the Revolution, circa 1789.

Originally located on Mill Street, it was moved in 1970, a gift to the Foundation from Mr. and Mrs. Richard W. Lloyd.

The windows frames, closet doors, wainscoting, and chimney wall with raised paneling are original to the house. Samples of the original green color and pickled wood are preserved under Plexiglas (see mantel and wainscoting near front door).

Cunningham House

Built about 1840, this house was donated to the Camden District Heritage Foundation by the Nicholas Gaffos family and was moved in 1971 from its original location at the southeast corner of Market and DeKalb streets.

The house bears the name of the original owner, Mrs. Joseph Cunningham, who actually never occupied it. However, tradition holds that it was built as a wedding present for her and it is sometimes referred to as the "wedding gift house."

Drakeford House

Richard Drakeford, who built this log house around 1812, was recorded as being a "gallant patriot soldier" during the Revolution. At his death in 1826 he had become a man of some means and his house inventory included walnut tables, cupboards, four sets of bedroom furniture, a pine writing table, mirror, eleven chairs, and two sets of fireplace equipment.

The house originally stood about twelve miles north of Camden and was given to the Foundation by Mr. and Mrs. E.H. Drakeford. It was completely dismantled and reconstructed on its present site in 1970. Much of the excellent work involved was done by inmates of the South Carolina Department of Corrections.

This house, too, is typical of early log homes, having the main room below and a sleeping loft above. The L-shaped staircase is original. While the interior work in general is more refined than that of the Bradley House, the exterior log work shows less care in workmanship.

Museum exhibits are found here also, including a model of the Kershaw-Cornwallis House. Camden's role in the Revolution during the British occupation is unfolded here, as is the development of Historic Camden and the site's archaeological digs.




Kershaw-Cornwallis House

This is a reconstruction of the home of Camden's founder, Joseph Kershaw. It was used as headquarters for General Lord Cornwallis, Lord Rawdon, Banastre "Bloody" Tarleton, and other British officers during the occupation of 1780-81. Kershaw, in the meantime, was exiled to Bermuda until after the war. He died at the house in 1791.

At the end of the Kershaw ownership in 1805, the house was used as an orphanage, a school, then again as a residence. It eventually declined into use as a Confederate warehouse. During the short Union occupation of Camden in 1865, it was burned to the ground. After the old house was gone, the ground continued to be used for exercises by local militia; the water head at the foot of the hill still bears the name of Muster Spring.

Archaeological findings revealed the foundations of the main house and outbuildings, the well, and the trench which contained the logs used to form the palisade.

Based upon this archaeological evidence and existing pictures, the house was reconstructed in the mid 1970s. Externally it is an exact replica of Kershaw's 1780 Georgian-style mansion; internally the layout is similar to several houses built in Charleston during the same period. The interior of the first floor exhibits Georgian architectural detail and is refurbished with period furniture. The second floor contains research and library facilities. The collection includes books, pamphlets, maps, primary documents pertaining to Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina and the U.S. with particular emphasis on the American Revolution.

A formal garden off the back porch has been planted using many of the plants and flowers typically found in a South Carolina 18th century garden. The house and garden are often the scene for weddings and receptions.

McCaa House

Dr. John McCaa (1793-1859), a native and prominent physician of Camden, used this building as his office. Built prior to 1825 and originally located on South Broad Street, it was moved on site in 1991. Exterior restoration of the building has been completed and the interior restoration is pending.