It was the residence of Henry Hutchinson, a freedman who was a noteworthy post-war Sea Island Cotton planter.

Following the Civil War, Jim Hutchinson worked to assemble groups of freed blacks who would collectively purchase land on Edisto Island.

[2] Henry Hutchinson is said to have built the house at the time of his marriage to Rosa Swinton in 1885 and resided here until his death in 1940.

[3] Henry was a noteworthy post-war Sea Island Cotton planter and was recorded in the News and Courier in 1905 & 1909 as having brought the first bag to the Charleston market for several years running.

The Hutchinson House is considered one of many symbols of hard work, self-reliance, and success for Edisto's emerging African American community.