Step back in time, learn about The Ruins, Stateburg at holiday tour

Take a few steps back in time this holiday season with the owners of a stately home that has stood in the Stateburg area since the time of Gen. Thomas Sumter.

The historic home known as The Ruins was built in 1784, and the Revolutionary War hero lived there after he moved his family from the Lowcountry, according to Sammy Way, Sumter Item archivist and historian. The large home was owned by several families and is now owned by Col. Rett and Pat Summerville.

"Gen. Sumter made the Ruins his home after he moved his family from the Lowcountry. While living at the Ruins, he narrowly escaped capture when surprised by British troops and local Tories. Research indicates that John Mayrant obtained the property in 1802; his son would later sell the property to Willis W. Alston, who converted the house into a seminary for ladies in 1835. Alston and his wife would change the name to the 'Hawthorndean Seminary,' which remained in effect until Robert DeVeaux and his wife, Marian, changed the name to the Ruins. The house was later acquired by Amelia Moore Barnwell in 1928 and remained in her possession until 1996. The house still stands and has been renovated," according to Way.

The Summervilles held the annual holiday event for several years, and the last time the Christmastime event was held was in 2017. The Summervilles are inviting the public to the grounds to learn more about the home and the Stateburg area. Pat Summerville said the home will be decorated for the event with all-natural greenery that would have been used hundreds of years ago, and there will be educational displays, exhibits and storyboards set up on the grounds. Guests will also be able to take a tour of the second floor of the private residence.

During the tour, you can learn about the original crown molding made with horse hair, John Mayrant's connection to the home and the home's expansion in 1838 and the addition of electricity to the home in the 1940s. You can also see a piano that once belonged to Bill Pinkney of The Drifters and maybe hear about the ghost who has protected the home from fire, along with more stories about the home. Much of the furniture is original to the home on the second floor that will be open to guests.

"We're having the Cheraw Indians come as a tribe, and they're going to do at a couple of scheduled times some dances for us. We're going to have Revolutionary War exhibits, we're going to have historic home exhibits, lots of storyboards throughout the area talking about the Revolutionary War and the Civil War and the history of the house," Summerville said.

There will also be a hayride, cookies and spiced apple juice at the free event.

"The ladies who do all the decorations at Historic Columbia for the holidays do them here as well, all-natural decorations, and it's really lovely," Summerville said.

Part of the hope of the Summervilles for the event is to share about the history of the area on which the home was built.

"Stateburg is a tremendous historic area. You wouldn't believe the number of famous people who have lived here, visited here and stayed here. And yet most people don't know it, and that's part of what we do with the tour" to teach people more about the area, she said.

Summerville said December's event is the only one of its kind in the area, with the tour, history to learn and refreshments, all for free.

The event is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at The Ruins.

To get to The Ruins, take U.S. Highway 76/378 toward Columbia, turn right on S.C. 261, take the third road (DeVeaux) to the right, and follow it until it meets Barnwell Drive. Turn left, and The Ruins will be on your right.