ABOUT US

Our Voice. Our Story.

During the Reconstruction Era, black people on Edisto Island who were formerly enslaved were finally able to acquire land of their own. 

Jim Hutchinson, who was known as one of the Black Kings of Edisto, was able to purchase two different plantations that totaled about 650 acres at which he divided it up among other first-time Black independent farmers on Edisto Island. He knew that land ownership was the key to giving them true independence and economic empowerment for the first time.

This economic base enabled black families on Edisto Island to obtain generational wealth for future generations. This website features historical photos as well as extraordinary stories--the kind they don’t teach in schools. It also highlights the important history of other influential African American families on Edisto Island that can trace their ancestral roots back to the late 1600s.

Our Mission

Our Vision. Our Goals.

 We are committed to a future where the Gullah Geechee heritage on Edisto Island thrives and continues to enrich the lives of all people.

The Hutchinson Heritage Foundation aspires to be a leading force in preserving history and culture, building enduring family legacies, strengthening communities, generating employment opportunities, forging diverse partnerships, and significantly enhancing tourism throughout the region.