Education Program Tours
ABOUT
We offer a curated selection of tours for guided and customized field trips. Learn more about each below.
From Slavery to Freedom
Students will explore the contributions made to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens by the enslaved, and examine the daily lives of families across time. This experience encourages a deeper understanding of history and culture through engagement with artifacts and oral histories. Students will also explore how the Ashley River and other local land features affected economic activity at Magnolia.
Magnolia House and Gardens Tour
Step back through time and history through the lens of the third Magnolia House on property. Originally built as a country cottage, the Magnolia House has transformed quite a bit over the past 150 years. Here you will be introduced to the Drayton family who trace their roots at Magnolia back to the late 17th century, the prior two homes, and about the African Americans–both enslaved and free–who have lived and worked here across the centuries. Enjoy this unique opportunity to see the evolution of a place through physical space.
House: Tour: Grades 8 & Up. Historic Gardens Tour: All Ages
Nature Train Tour
The Nature Train Tour takes you on a scenic journey around Magnolia’s wetlands, forests, marshes, and swamps. Along the way, students will learn about the region’s native plants and wildlife, as well as the history of rice cultivation and water management at Magnolia. Your guide will highlight local species, including birds, alligators, turtles, and more. This is a fantastic opportunity to observe plants and animals in their natural habitats, discovering the unique conditions that help each species thrive.
Led by our expert wildlife team, visitors will learn about how each animal came to the center and is carefully cared for to ensure their health and well-being. Many of the animals are native to South Carolina and non-releasable due to injury or being orphaned at a young age. Through up-close encounters with animal ambassadors, kids will learn about the animals' unique adaptations that help them survive in the wild and play an interactive game matching animals with their special traits. Click to learn more about our animals!
CUSTOM ITINERARIES
If our current offerings don't meet your needs, we can customize a field trip to complement your classroom or arrange a self-guided trip.