Heritage Hall

Welcome to Heritage Hall. The property totals 9 acres and is the new, permanent home of Daufuskie Marsh Tacky Society. Established in July 2017, this capital project has been made possible by a private partnership with the Selmont Family and grant funding through South Carolina Parks and Recreation. The biggest accomplishment of the overall project to date is the ‘resurrection’ of the historically significant Simmons House. We began work on the house just after COVID lockdowns began in spring of 2020 and received our C/O in April of 2022.

The house of Agnes Simmons was estimated to be built in the 1920’s and was finally abandoned by the family in the ’90’s. With the original construction over 100 years old, the property was almost entirely reclaimed by nature, giving way to wood rot, termite damage and weather. Professor of Architecture at the Savannah College of Art and Design, Daves Rossell, conducted an in-depth study of Gullah architecture throughout the Lowcountry and featured this home in his findings. He wrote in summary, that the Simmons House is one of the finest examples of Caribbean and Creole influenced Gullah homes still remaining upon the barrier islands and that it is a testament to the relative wealth that the native islanders of Daufuskie accumulated as a result of the once booming oystering industry. Then in the 1950’s, the Savannah River and surrounding estuaries were declared too polluted to support commercial harvesting of oysters and the beds were shut down. Almost overnight, thousands of native islanders lost their jobs. Consequently, most families deserted Daufuskie in search of work.

Every effort was made to reclaim and reuse materials from the property and to maintain the home’s existing foundation, foot print, floor plan, paint colors, hip roof pitch and character. The grounds surrounding the Simmons House feature a camellia tree said to be pre-Civil War, a fig tree, a mulberry tree, lemon trees, pecan trees, a black walnut tree, live oaks, wisteria, jessamine, bulb flowers, wild pollinator flowers, resurrection ferns and native grasses.

(Updated 02/15/24) Improvement projects at Heritage Hall are ongoing, with a current focus on completing additional native seasonal gardens and nature trails for self-guided tours accessible by foot or golf cart. Supported by educational signage, literature and QR codes to links for additional information, the public can visit and enjoy seeing the horses, the grounds and gaining an appreciation for the history, heritage and culture behind them

Comprehensive development plans for the property collectively named Heritage Hall in addition to the native seasonal gardens walking trail will include a Marsh Tacky museum, social club space, retail shop, office space, overnight accommodations for staff, interns, clinicians and special guests, a riding arena and an 8 stall barn with living quarters.

The Simmons House before:

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The Simmons House After:

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The Simmons House “resurrection” was completed in April of 2022. One of the last remaining historically significant Gullah cottages on the island has a new life dedicated to preserving the critically endangered South Carolina State Heritage Horse. Now we are working towards clearing land for more pastures and building our barn. You can have a helping hand in developing the next phase at Heritage Hall. There are may ways to give and be involved, and your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Ask about our legacy naming opportunities!