Discover Marlboro County: History, Museums and Nature

Marlboro County tells its story through museums and historic buildings—and offers a place to enjoy the water at Lake Paul Wallace. You can shape your trip around exhibits, walking paths and local history. Families can also find a few activities specifically geared toward children.

Museums and Historic Sites in Bennettsville

The exhibits at the Marlboro County Museum trace the history of Marlboro County from its earliest Indigenous inhabitants to the present day. The museum complex includes the Jennings-Brown House and Bennettsville Female Academy, a two-room schoolhouse. The Jennings-Brown House was built in 1826 by Dr. E. W. Jones, one of the town’s early physicians. In 1865, it served as the headquarters of Union troops; in 1976, it was restored to its appearance circa 1850.

Bennettsville Female Academy dates to the 1830s and operated as a private school from 1833 to 1881. This time span gives the modest two-room schoolhouse a distinctive historical context. The Medical Museum is located next to the main museum, in the former medical office of Dr. J. F. Kinney.

The Bennettsville Historic District includes the town center, historic homes and other buildings. Tour materials are available for a walking tour; check before your trip to see what information is currently available. Another stop is “The Gulf,” a heritage site documenting the history of Bennettsville’s African American business district. For more than 100 years, African American professionals were active there despite considerable social and economic obstacles.

The Bennettsville Visitor Center is also worth a visit for its building: it is housed in a two-story brick Queen Anne-style home completed in 1884. Inside, marbleized slate fireplaces, longleaf pine floors, and original gas lights and chandeliers have been preserved.

Lake, Walking Paths and Outdoor Activities

The man-made Lake Paul Wallace covers 600 acres and has beach and swimming areas. A 1.5-mile lighted walking path also runs along the lake, where fishing is possible as well. This gives you a choice of waterside relaxation, a walk or another activity at the lake—all in one place. If you like spending your days outdoors, this may help guide your choice of vacation rental.

For a shorter walk, Brightsville Community Park has a paved, multi-use path: it is 0.25 miles long and ten feet wide, and runs along the inside of the park fence. Park conditions and access details can change, so factor current conditions into your plans. There are also several bicycle routes in and around Bennettsville. Road conditions and safety measures may change, so it is worth checking them before a bike ride.

Theater, Collections and Activities for Children

The Marlboro Civic Center is a restored theater that hosts live theater. Its schedule and operations may change; check current performances before planning a theater evening. The Geddie-Cole Center in McColl shows free children’s movies twice a month. Check the current schedule before planning a visit. The museum garden at the Marlboro County Museum also features a seasonal Storybook Walk, an outdoor reading experience for children.

The C.W. Love Museum displays World War II memorabilia, wildlife, vintage toys and classic cars; the selection on display may change. The McColl Museum was founded in 1997 by Dr. C. W. Love and is located in his former dental office. These varied glimpses of history and everyday objects add tangible pieces from the collections to the area’s architecture and local history.

Agriculture and Regional History

McArthur Farms offers seasonal pick-your-own and farm-harvested produce, including strawberries. In downtown Bennettsville, Breeden Grocery is a traditional butcher shop carrying several products certified by South Carolina. Its selection may change. Both stops offer a glimpse of local produce without assuming any particular harvest or availability period.

The history of the Great Pee Dee River is also part of the region’s story: the earliest inhabitants of the Marlboro County area lived, hunted and traded along the river. Old River Road follows its course and was an important trade route to Georgetown and Charleston even before the American Revolution. The mineral springs at Blenheim were discovered in 1781 during the American Revolutionary War. Remains of the old Blenheim Ginger Ale bottling plant have also been preserved.

Choose a Suitable Base for Your Trip

If historic buildings and museums are your main interests, Bennettsville’s Historic District, museums and Visitor Center can provide a thematic framework for your trip. Lake Paul Wallace offers a different focus for days spent walking, swimming or fishing; if you’re interested in local produce, you can include seasonal offerings and the butcher shop. When searching for a vacation rental, consider which of these interests will shape your trip and choose a location accordingly. This way, your planning starts with the experiences you actually want to enjoy.

Discover More Destinations

Bennettsville, Union County, Lee County, Horry, Sumter County, Newberry County, Florence, Chester County

For the main travel overview: South Carolina.