The hewn-timber cabins, ca. 1836,  were built as sleeping quarters for African-Americans who worked the land. The cabins were constructed by slaves to house slaves. The construction of the cabins, especially the full dovetailed corners, shows that the builders were very skilled craftsmen who took pride in their work. These homes are a representation of South Carolina history in its truest form and are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Location: The hewn-timber cabins, ca. 1836, are located on Francis Marion University campus, 200 yards from Highway 76/301, on Wallace Woods Road (Gate Six).  Map.

Website: This website contains significant resources for those interested in learning more about these particular structures or about life in South Carolina during the 1840s to 1950s.  It would not have been possible without Amelia Wallace Vernon's tireless efforts over several decades to capture local history. This website and the cabins represent the dedication of many individuals who recognize the importance of maintaining local history and its contribution to understanding the larger trends studied by historians.

What you will find at this website:
a. A pictorial record of exhibits associated with the hewn-timber cabins
This is a very large work assembled by Amelia Wallace Vernon and last updated in 2012. Pictures are organized in categories to speed navigation. This link takes you to a master index of the illustrations. You may also browse through the exhibits sequentially using the "Next" button in the top right of each page.

b. An online tour of the home belonging to Ms. Catherine
If you are unable to tour the cabins, this online tour might be helpful to give you insight about life in these homes from the perspective of one of the women who lived in them.

c. Hear voices from the past
Listen to recordings of people who lived in these very homes, talking about farming and cooking at the hearth -- activities of their daily lives in the early 1900's.