A Mount Pleasant gem: Chamber guest touts wonders of Boone Hall
Moultrie News | August 23, 2026
Business owners and community members were recently treated to a tutorial of Mount Pleasant's iconic 738-acre centerpiece of culture and local history, known as Boone Hall Plantation.
On hand to fill in attendees of its wonders was Boone Hall GM Jim Westerhold during the Aug. 20 Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, as the keynote speaker kicked off the event with a series of trivia questions.
The interactive presentation saw teams of individuals answer a number of questions about the several tours offered on Boone Hall's historic venue. While delving on the topic, Westerhold addressed the popular Fright Nights showcase, which was recently discontinued.
Westerhold explained that the Halloween haunted house extravaganza isn't part of Boone Hall's vision, as it seeks to promote wholesome family fun, as well as the historical aspects of the estate founded in 1681.
These characteristics can be enjoyed via tours exploring Gullah culture, an on-site mansion and tractor excursions around the vast property. In addition, visitors are welcome to walk through the Gin House Museum and nine original slave cabins.
Westerhold went on to update listeners on the upcoming Pumpkin Patch event in late September by reporting this year's extension of the fall celebration from five weeks to six. Further, he mentioned that the festival will remain open two hours longer, as it will now close at 7 p.m.
When asked what he enjoys most about working at Boone Hall, the seventh-year GM highlighted the exceptional crew he collaborates with that make the vast rural expanse a special place.
"And [it's] not just the staff, but our partners, such as John Wright," he added.
Mount Pleasant Town Administrator Eric DeMoura was among the guests who lauded Boone Hall's role in the community. In fact, DeMoura declared the present-day character of the town and quality of life would be very different without Boone Hall's presence.
The self-effacing Westerhold responded that all of the credit goes to the McRae family, which owns the Long Point Road property.
Wright closed out the meeting by echoing DeMoura's gratitude, stating that Boone Hall hasn't only been instrumental in hosting Black History Month events, but also in donating to educational endeavors. Specifically, he pointed to Boone Hall funding a June 2027 trip to Ghana for 10 youngsters from Mount Pleasant's Black settlement communities.
"These kids are going for a cultural education experience, financed by Boone Hall and Beacon Community Bank. So that is the type of community, collaborative partnership that's needed, and we have it here in Mount Pleasant."
