The veranda at Hobcaw House offers wide views of the live oaks and Winyah Bay. Sitting in rocking chairs on the porch, the scene is still reminiscent of Belle Baruch’s time at Hobcaw Barony. Thanks to her, we can continue to enjoy this view today.
Belle Baruch was an imposing figure, at 6 feet 2 inches tall. Beyond her imposing stature, she was known to outperform women and most men in shooting, hunting, and riding. In 1931, she received the top honor for her equestrian talents from the French President, winning the Prix de la Coupe. She was the only one among 119 contestants to score a perfect mark.
Hobcaw Barony, Belle Baruch’s invaluable gift to South Carolina.
Baruch’s notable contribution to South Carolina is Hobcaw Barony. It is a landmass whose name means ‘between the waters’ and includes over 16,000 acres located between the Atlantic Ocean, Winyah Bay, and the Waccamaw River, along Highway 17 near Georgetown. Since Belle Baruch’s death in 1964, it has served as a hub for research in marine biology, forestry, and history. Her will mandated that the land be used as an outdoor laboratory, resulting in the establishment of the Belle W. Baruch Foundation. The estate includes 37 structures. These include the house, Hobcaw House, and a former enslaved people’s village, Friendfield Village, which includes houses and a church.
Belle Baruch inherited Hobcaw Barony from her father, Bernard Baruch, a renowned American financier and political advisor. At Hobcaw House, visitors can see original pieces, including Winston Churchill’s favorite chair and the bedroom where Franklin Roosevelt stayed for a month during World War II.
SCETV describes Hobcaw Barony as “a crossroads representing every era of human history…”
To Learn more about Hobcaw Barony, go to http://hobcawbarony.org/ and https://www.scetv.org/betweenthewaters .
Click the story below for more of South Carolina’s rich historic past.
What lies beyond the Love of Charleston?
You must be logged in to post a comment.