More than 30 reenactors bring 1800s Lowcountry life to the Heyward House grounds from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14. The day is free; the evening oyster roast is $75.

More than 30 reenactors will set up on the grounds of the Heyward House in Old Town on Saturday, Nov. 14. They will show what daily life looked like in the Lowcountry in the mid-1800s, when the house was built.

The daytime program runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 70 Boundary St. It is free, and no ticket or RSVP is needed. The Historic Bluffton Foundation, which owns the house, set out the plans on its Under the Ancient Oaks page and its events page.

This is the third year of the event, according to the foundation’s oyster roast ticket page.

What happens during the day

The foundation says the day interprets “the people, culture, traditions, and daily life of the coastal South Carolina Lowcountry during the mid-19th century.” Its program lists:

  • living history presentations by more than 30 reenactors portraying life before the Civil War
  • demonstrations of clothing, crafts and everyday homestead work
  • hands-on activities telling the stories of families, craftsmen, merchants, farmers, teachers and clergy

The reenactors come from two partner groups, the Southeast Coalition of Authentic Reenactors and the Citadel Military Living History Society, the foundation said.

The Town of Bluffton’s calendar entry also lists an “Under the Ancient Oaks Historic Re-Enactment” from 10 to 10:45 a.m. that day, at Wright Family Park, 111 Calhoun St.

The evening oyster roast

The day ends with an oyster roast on the Heyward House grounds from 6 to 9 p.m. Guests eat with the reenactors and Citadel cadets in period dress.

  • Tickets: $75, sold on Eventbrite. This is the only ticketed part of the day.
  • What it includes: all the May River oysters and Brunswick stew you can eat, with beer and wine, the foundation says.
  • Parking: there is no parking at the house. The foundation points guests to the public park next door and to street parking nearby.

A house that is staying open

The event comes after a hard year for the museum. The foundation said in June it would sell the Heyward House. It has since reversed that decision, in an update to the community on its website.

“The Historic Bluffton Foundation will not sell the Heyward House,” the board said. “We will continue to own, operate, and care for this historic home and its grounds.”

The board said it now needs volunteers, members and local partners to keep the museum running. It is looking for docents, tour guides and event help.

The house was built in 1841 by enslaved West Africans, the foundation says. It is a museum and the starting point for tours of the Historic District. More on the house and the district is on our history and landmarks page and our Old Town Bluffton guide.

What it means for you

  • Go for free: drop in any time from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at 70 Boundary St.
  • Book the roast: buy oyster roast tickets online before the day; it runs 6 to 9 p.m.
  • Park nearby: use the public park next door or street parking, not the museum grounds.
  • Help the museum: the foundation takes volunteers and members through its website, or call 843-757-6293.

More weekend ideas are on our things to do this month page.