Begin your visit here at The Heyward House in the town of Bluffton. Tour our House Museum, built by enslaved West Africans in 1841; find maps and brochures for area businesses, and get a taste of the culture and history of our fair town. The Heyward House Museum and Welcome Center is owned and operated by the Historic Bluffton Foundation, a non-profit, 501-(C)-3 corporation, dedicated to the preservation of the culture and history of Bluffton.

Open Gates is nestled back in a quiet part of town off of historical Vernon Square just one block from the waterfront where the docks are lined with shrimp boats. The Inn is surrounded by centuries-old live oaks and picturesque magnolia trees. The grounds offer a delightful respite from every day worries. The swing on the front porch is a great spot to enjoy the quiet of nature and listen to the memorial fountain in Vernon Square.