The Rose Hill Mansion is an elegant Carpenter Gothic house nestled in Bluffton, South Carolina. It all began in 1858 when Dr. John Kirk started building this remarkable home, intending it as a special wedding gift for his eldest daughter, Caroline. But, due to the Civil War, construction was paused.

During the early years of the Civil War, Union troops camped on the grounds, as evidenced by words scratched on the mirror that hung in the entryway, “J.W. Co E… 115th NY… Flee Rebels…” Over the last few years, people have uncovered Civil War artifacts, like bullets, coins, and belt plates from the property.

According to tale, a Union soldier spared the house from destruction, saying, "This house is too beautiful to be burned."

Construction only resumed after World War II. In 1946, John and Betsey Sturgeon bought the house and brought in an architect named Willis Irvin, Sr. to finish the renovations. By 1955, the Mansion at Rose Hill was so lovely that it appeared in Vogue magazine, showing off its Gothic-style architecture and beautifully furnished interior.

In 1980, the Welton family became the owners, and in 1983, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It even had a taste of Hollywood when it was used in the 1987 action-adventure movie "The Order of the Black Eagle."

Unfortunately, a few months later, flames, sparked by faulty wiring in the closet destroyed the house. The roof melted, the chimneys collapsed, and the grand chandelier fell and shattered. While the exterior of the house was fixed up, the inside was left in ruins for years.

In 1996, the Middleton White Foundation stepped in and completely restored the house to its original beauty as a private home. Rusty and Robin White bought the house in 1996, putting their own touches on it while also opening it up for tours. Rusty was an antique dealer, and for his wife's birthday, he gave her many of the fireplaces and antique pieces you can still see in the house today.

In 2022, the Mansion at Rose Hill was sold once again. This time to Steven Stemple who has opened the Mansion to the public for private events. It is one of the oldest local properties still standing today.

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