Rose Hill Plantation House, a remarkable historical site in South Carolina, offers a window into a past marked by grandeur and turbulence. Built between 1828 and 1832, the house was the residence of Governor William H. Gist, a key figure in South Carolina’s secessionist movement. The plantation, now a State Historic Site, encapsulates the complexities of the pre-Civil War South, from the splendor of its architecture to the dark history of slavery and the Civil War.
The architecture of Rose Hill is a standout feature, showcasing the Gothic Revival style. This design includes a cruciform layout, steeply pitched gable roofs, and an impressive façade featuring a first-story porch and a second-story porch room. The house is notable for its exceptional craftsmanship, particularly in its interior millwork, which has been painstakingly preserved and renovated over the years.
Rose Hill’s history is deeply intertwined with that of slavery in the South. In 1860, it was one of the largest enslaved communities in Union District, housing as many as 178 people enslaved on the plantation. The end of the Civil War and the emancipation of slaves brought significant changes to Rose Hill, with many of the formerly enslaved people choosing to leave, while others stayed as tenant farmers.