Summerville in Dorchester County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
A Chance to Learn
| | South Carolina State Park Service | |
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009
1. Dorchester Free School Marker
A small brick building once stood here housing the Dorchester Free School. The school offered free education to only a few poor students. All others paid tuition. Opportunities for white children to learn outside the home or shop was limited. Black children had even fewer chances. Most were slaves and trained only to work.
The Dorchester Free School operated only a short time here. It opened in 1761 then closed during the Revolution and did not reopen for almost twenty-five years. In 1818 the school moved to the nearby town of Summerville.
[Captions:]
Students learned with limited supplies, such as this pencil found by archaeologists at the site. Students wrote handwriting lessons into blank copy books with simple lead pencils.
Several girls received scholarships to attend the Dorchester Free School. This was unusual in a time when most girls were only trained for a future as housewives and mothers.
Erected by South Carolina State Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1761.
Location. 32° 56.916′ N, 80° 10.269′ W. Marker is in Summerville, South Carolina, in Dorchester County
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Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: In the Path of War (within shouting distance of this marker); The Bell Tower of St. George's (within shouting distance of this marker); Clues of Wealth (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Parish Church of St. George, Dorchester (about 400 feet away); To Market, To Market (about 400 feet away); Fort Dorchester (about 500 feet away); Old Dorchester (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Welcome to Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Summerville.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Welcome to Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Photographed by Dorchester Free School Marker, September 13, 2009
2. Dorchester Free School Marker
Photographed by Mike Stroud, September 13, 2009
3. Dorchester Free School Marker as seen along northwest trail in Old Dorchester
Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 23, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,738 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 23, 2009, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
