The
Bluffton Blufft n Sun
Special Section: The RBC Heritage presented by Boeing See page 43
April 7, 2026 • Volume 29, Issue 7 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
Bluffton’s “front porch” draws thousands in first year
By Sasha Sweeney Editor
Tucked along the May River beneath moss-draped oaks, The Town of Bluffton’s Welcome Center has spent its first year doing more than greeting visitors. It has become a gathering place, a storyteller and, for many, a first impression of the town’s character. Housed in the historic Squire Pope Carriage House at Wright Family Park, the Welcome Center opened in January 2025 and has welcomed 21,430 visitors from Jan. 6, 2025, through March 4, 2026; drawing people from all 50 states and countries across Europe, South America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. The building itself carries deep historical significance. The Squire Pope Carriage House survived the 1863 Burning of Bluffton during the Civil War. The Town of Bluffton purchased the structure in 2017 through a joint effort with Beaufort County using funds from the Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program, totaling $1.5 million. Today, the site serves as both a gateway and a gathering place. Visitors arrive looking for maps and recommendations, but many stay longer, exploring exhibits, pausing along the riverfront or returning later for events. In February, the center marked its 20,000th visitor, a traveler from Long Island, New York, highlighting the strong demand for a centralized space to connect visitors with Bluffton’s history and attractions. The space itself continues to evolve. A history room offers a closer look at Bluffton’s past through displays and a collage reflecting the town’s diverse community. Other updates include opening the building’s historic kitchen and showcasing artwork created by local high school students. Town officials plan to introduce an interactive exhibit later this year to further
engage visitors. Outside, Wright Family Park has taken on a life of its own. The grounds have hosted weddings, engagements, family photos and informal performances, from guitar playing to artists painting along the river. Seasonal decorations and installations have added to the experience, including “The Bluffton Pearl,” a reflective sculpture installed in October 2025 that has quickly become a focal point for photos. The Welcome Center’s reach extends beyond its walls through programming and partnerships. Events have included a historic preservation lecture series, educational programs on local flora and collaborations with historical reenactors. Visitors can also leave handwritten notes through the “Love Letters to Bluffton” display, contributing to a rotating collection of personal reflections about the town. Looking ahead, the town plans to expand programming and launch new initiatives aimed at deepening community engagement. The town is developing a Bluffton Ambassador Program, set to begin in late summer 2026, to help welcome
residents and visitors while sharing information about Bluffton’s history, culture, attractions and local government. Though modest in size, the Welcome Center has quickly established itself as a central hub. For many, it serves as Bluffton’s front porch, where history, hospitality and daily life meet along the river. The Welcome Center is located at 111 Calhoun Street in Bluffton and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It is closed on Sundays.
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