Hilton Head Island Arts & Humanities

Guide to local arts and learning centers, museums, dance theatres and cultural activities on Hilton Head Island, SC

Hilton Head Island celebrates the arts and humanities with open arms and is home to a number of popular cultural attractions, art galleries, museums, learning centers and other enriching activities that welcome locals and visitors alike. Popular destinations include the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, the Coastal Discovery Museum, Hilton Head Comedy Magic Cabaret, and Heritage Library. Three movie theatres are located on the island, including Coligny Theatre, Northridge Cinema 10, and Park Plaza Cinema.

"Gullah," a blend of slave, native, cadence, and Elizabethian English was spoken in the Lowcountry. This rich culture, developed over the years of slavery, survives to this day. As interest in the history of African-Americans on Hilton Head grows more evidence of their lifestyle is being preserved. The Gullah culture continues as community leaders encourage its preservation.
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What's in a Name?

Hilton Head Island is named for the English sea captain William Hilton who was hired by a syndicate of Barbadian planters and claimed the island for England. Hilton "discovered" the island in 1663 but European colonization did not occur until around 1800. Before the Civil War, the plantations on Hilton Head Island prospered growing rice, indigo, and cotton.

Earliest Inhabitants

Native Indians resided on Hilton Head Island as early as 4000 BC. Evidence of early settlement remains today in the form of a 3400 year old "Indian Shell ring" in Sea Pines Forest Preserve.

Gullah Culture

"Gullah," a blend of slave, native, cadence, and Elizabethian English was spoken in the Lowcountry. This rich culture, developed over the years of slavery, survives to this day. Old spirituals and songs were made up and used by slaves as codes for meeting times and places and as messages for freedom. The songs and stories also spoke of storms and other events in the lives of the slaves. As interest in the history of African-Americans on Hilton Head grows more evidence of their lifestyle is being preserved. The Gullah culture continues as community leaders encourage its preservation.