Collins Park was given to Barnwell by the Robert O. Collins family in the year 2000. The land was once the home William Gilmore Simms, Jr., son of celebrated writer William Gilmore Simms. Joseph Porter purchased the property from Simms in 1919, and the land was eventually bought by Robert Collins.
The park is located on the corner of Main Street and Marlboro Avenue – affectionately remembered as “Porter’s Corner.” The corner used to be a popular meeting place for local nurses, who would spend time here chatting while their children played. Collins Park is open to the public, and is dedicated to the famous sons and daughters of Barnwell.
I called about having a wedding. It is only $50 for the day and you fill out a permit at the city hall to rent it. But they have extremely limited parking.
It’s a lovely park to have a wedding.
It is a beautiful park! I suggest clicking on the link above the map and talking with someone from the City of Barnwell connected with the park. Best of luck!
I would like know the costs of having a wedding in the park. Thank you.
Please note the historic marker at this site is incorrect. William Gilmore Simms was my great-great-grandfather who was married first to Anna Malcolm Giles then Chevillette Eliza Roach. His son, William Gilmore Simms, Jr., was married to Emma Gertrude Hertzog. I know the son lived in Barnwell at one time but don’t know whether Simms the writer ever did.
Alex, thank you so much for this helpful info on Collins Park. We really appreciate submissions to the SC Picture Project. It is nice to get the correct information out there!