In the Bland Garden at Swan Lake Iris Gardens, a cypress boardwalk about 1,000 feet long leads into the swamp. The transition from the landscaped garden to the swamp landscape makes for a distinctive introduction to Sumter County. The region also offers expansive forests and waterways, as well as the layered history of the city of Sumter. Nature, architecture and art appeal to different interests here.
Gardens with Distinctive Details
Swan Lake Iris Gardens is home to more than 120 iris varieties. It is also the only public park in the United States where all eight swan species are represented. In the Bland Garden, the boardwalk extends about 1,000 feet into the swamp, illustrating the transition between garden and wetland.
The Chocolate Garden at Swan Lake, established in 2009, offers a different garden theme: it grows edible plants with a chocolate-like appearance, as well as flowers with a chocolate scent. The edible plants are not meant to be sampled. In the Butterfly Garden, you can find information to help identify six different butterflies and their caterpillars, including details about their host plants and preferred nectar plants.
The Sumter Iris Festival is also connected to the gardens. This three-day event takes place every May and features live concerts, arts and crafts, plants and flowers, food, and activities for children. On opening night, Taste at the Gardens offers live music and dishes from local restaurants, chefs and caterers. The festival program may vary from year to year; check the dates and program details for the relevant year when planning your visit.
Forest, Trails and Water
Manchester State Forest spans Clarendon County and Sumter County and covers more than 29,830 acres. Its mixed stands of pine and hardwood trees create a different natural setting from the gardens. Parts of the Palmetto Trail and other forest trails offer opportunities for horseback riding.
Another way to enjoy the outdoors is the 3.1-mile Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway. It connects Dillon Park with Swan Lake Iris Gardens and is suitable for walking, jogging and cycling. Along Shot Pouch Branch, the Greenway preserves a natural habitat for diverse wildlife. The Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Nature Trail is paved, has historical information panels, and can be used for walking or cycling. As trail details may change, check the latest information before your visit.
The county also offers access to Lake Marion via Packs Landing, Rimini Landing and Sparkleberry Landing. The lake is part of the Santee-Cooper Lakes system, which spans Sumter County, Clarendon County, Orangeburg County and Berkeley County and covers more than 110,000 acres.
At Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Memorial Park, history and open space come together across nine acres. The park includes a replica of Bethune’s birthplace, an outdoor pavilion, a playground and a picnic area. The replica of Bethune’s birthplace, outdoor pavilion, playground and picnic area give the park a different focus from the Greenway and Nature Trail.
Churches, Art and History in Sumter
The history of the Church of the Holy Cross can be seen in several specific details: The current church building was constructed from 1850 to 1852 and is an example of Victorian Gothic rammed-earth construction. The church was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973. Its historic features also include the original Erben pipe organ, installed in 1851 and still in use today.
The High Hills Baptist Church offers a different chronology: it was founded in 1772, and its current building dates to 1803. In April 1776, churches from across South Carolina gathered there to elect delegates to the Continental Association. These dates connect the history of the present-day building with a much earlier event at the same site.
African American history is another part of the local story. The Lincoln Museum opened in 2013 and displays historical artifacts. First Missionary Baptist Church was the first Baptist church in Sumter built by an African American congregation; it was founded as Shiloh Baptist Church in 1868. Shaw Field offers another perspective on the past: it opened in Sumter County in August 1941 as a primary flight school for the U.S. Army Air Corps. From March 1945 to early 1946, it served as a prisoner-of-war camp for German prisoners who worked on local farms. By the end of World War II, more than 8,600 American and Allied pilots had trained there.
The Sumter Opera House was built in its present form from 1893 to 1895. The Sumter County Gallery of Art presents changing exhibitions of traditional and contemporary art, featuring local, regional and nationally recognized artists. The cultural scene thus ranges from architectural and church history to changing art exhibitions.
More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Sumter, Cherokee County, Abbeville County, Fairfield County, Anderson, Hampton County, Horry, Georgetown.
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