Summary

Cyrus Garvin, a former Confederate soldier freed from slavery in the 1870s, transformed his small cabin on the banks of the May River into a historic residence that reflects the life of a freed Black man during Reconstruction. The structure was meticulously restored and reconstructed over many years, eventually becoming known as the oldest home built by a freed slave in Bluffton. It remained with Garvin's family until the mid-1960s before being handed over to the State for preservation. This site captures a vital chapter in American history, serving as a testament to resilience and community spirit following Civil War and the era of Reconstruction.

Cyrus Garvin, a former Confederate soldier freed from slavery in the 1870s, transformed his small cabin on the banks of the May River into a historic residence that reflects the life of a freed Black man during Reconstruction. The structure was meticulously restored and reconstructed over many years, eventually becoming known as the oldest home built by a freed slave in Bluffton. It remained with Garvin's family until the mid-1960s before being handed over to the State for preservation. This site captures a vital chapter in American history, serving as a testament to resilience and community spirit following Civil War and the era of Reconstruction.

Title

Visit Bluffton, SC - Heart of the Lowcountry - Official Site

Description

Your source for everything there is to know about Bluffton, SC. Explore lodging options, upcoming festivals & events, town history & more.

Keywords

more, culture, stay, river, here, menu, close, back, arts, parks, local, markets, shopping, golf, history, island, main

NS Lookup

A 142.44.217.176

Dates

Created 2026-03-09

Updated 2026-04-17

Summarized 2026-04-17