The Hartsville Museum (222 N. 5th St., 843/383-3005, www.hartsvillemuseum.org, Mon.–Fri. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.–2 p.m., free) contains a range of exhibits on the town’s history, set inside a former 1930s post office. Outdoors is a fun Sculpture Courtyard. The museum closes Friday from noon–1 p.m. for lunch.

The oldest building downtown is the John Lide Hart Cottage (116 E. Home Ave., 843/332-8017, first Sun. of the month 3–5 p.m. Feb.–Dec.), the last remaining structure from the original Hart Plantation, upon which the town was later built. They hold an annual holiday tour with costumed docents the first Sunday in December from 3–5 p.m.

Three miles west of town is the Jacob Kelley House Museum (578 Kelleytown Rd., 843/427-8720, first Sun. of the month 3–5 p.m. Feb.–Dec.), built in 1820 and occupied by Union troops at the end of the Civil War. Annual events include a Confederate Memorial Service the first Sunday in May and a holiday tour the first Sunday in December.