Photograph by William Kirk 2009, submitted by Robert and Robin White

Much of the information on this page was contributed by Robert and Robin White.

Basic Information

• Location – Colleton River, Bluffton, St Luke's Parish, Beaufort County
  

  Located on Rose Hill Way off US 278
  

• Origin of name – Two theories have surfaced over the years regarding the name Rose Hill. One is that he plantation was named after a little girl (Rose) in the 1830's. More recent information suggests the name comes from John Rose, the plantation's owner in the late 1700's to early 1800's.
  

• Other names – Kirk's Folly, John Kirk House, Rose Hill Mansion
  

• Current status – Privately owned, available for special occasions, and open for tours by reservation
  

Timeline

• 1718 – Earliest known date of existence

  Granted to Sir John Colleton. It was once a part of Devil's Elbow.
  

• 1790 – The plantation became under the ownership of John Rose
  

• 1799 – Upon Rose's death, the plantation was inherited by his step son, James Kirk.
  

• 1830s – The plantation was given to Dr. John and Caroline Kirk as a wedding present from Caroline's father James Kirk.
  

• 1858 – House built (completed in 1860) by Dr. John and Caroline Kirk
  

• 1946 – John and Betsy Gould Sturgeon purchased the house and completed it in a highly sophisticated manner.
  

• 1980 – Rose Hill Plantation Development Company, a Welton family pursuit, purchased the land for development of a planned residential community.
  

• 1986 – The house was opened to the public for tours, and an extensive rehabilitation of the house was completed.
  

• 1987 – A fire severely damaged the house and it would sit empty for nearly a decade.
  

• 1996 – Rose Hill Plantation House was purchased by the Middleton-White Foundation and is currently being restored as a private home.
  

• 2009 – Rose Hill Plantation House has been lovingly restored by Rusty and Robin White of the Middleton-White Foundation.
  

Land

• Number of acres – 12.5 in 1996

• Primary crop – Sea island cotton
  

Owners

• Alphabetical list – Sir John Colleton (1718-?); James Kirk (1799-1830s); Dr. John and Caroline Kirk (1830s-?); Pinckney; John Rose (1790-1799); Rose Hill Plantation Development Company/Welton (1980-?); John and Betsy Gould Sturgeon (1946-?); Robert L. and Robin White (1996-present)
  

Slaves

• Number of slaves – 154

Buildings

• The house is of Gothic Revival design. Although a 1987 fire several damaged the home, much of the original characteristics and materials have been salvaged and restored. Click here to see photos of the house and grounds.
  

Web Resources

• Brief History of Rose Hill Plantation

• National Register of Historic Places
  – Nomination form - PDF - submitted in 1983
  – Photographs, architectural overview
  

Print Resources

• Initial references: 1, 2, 38, 44

Contact Information

• Rose Hill Mansion
  199 Rose Hill Way
  Bluffton, SC 29910
  

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