CDM Logo Wide WebCDM Logo Wide WebCDM Logo Wide WebCDM Logo Wide Web
Mon.-Sat. 9am-4:30pm | Sun. 11am-4:30pm FREE ADMISSION
  • HOME
  • VISIT
    • Hours
    • Location
    • Directions & Parking
    • Admission
    • Groups
    • Calendar
  • PROGRAM SCHEDULE
    • Winter
    • Spring
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Calendar
  • EXPLORE
      • EXHIBITS
        • Gallery Exhibits
        • Santa Elena
        • Historical Buildings
        • Grounds and Gardens
      • EVENTS
        • Art Market
        • Farmers Market
        • Cocktails & Camellias
        • Native Plant Sale
        • Weddings and Event Venues
        • Community Events
      • TOURS, TALKS & WORKSHOPS
        • Onsite Programs
            • Butterfly Learning Station
            • Blue Crabs and Beer
            • Blue Crab Discovery
            • Captain Stoney
            • Coastal Chronicles
            • Creature Craft
            • Creature Feature Series
            • Critter Meet & Greet
            • Discovery Night at the Museum
            • Explore Honey Horn
            • Indigo Tie-Dye Party
            • Kids Story Time
            • Life Under the Sea
            • Lowcountry Reptiles
            • Marsh Critters
            • Nature Up Close
            • Segway Tour
            • Sweetgrass Basket Workshops
            • Workshops
        • Offsite Excursions
            • Birding at Pinckney Island
            • Dolphin and Nature Cruise
            • Explore Pinckney Island
            • Forts of Port Royal
            • Gullah Heritage Tour
            • Kayaking Adventure
            • Special Excursions
            • Waddell Mariculture Tours
        • Legends & Luminaries Speaker Series
        • Legends & Luminaries Videos
    • SUPPORT
      • Membership
        • Members-Only Programs
      • Adopt-a-Nest
      • Adopt-a-Dolphin
      • Donations
      • Volunteers & Interns
      • Sponsors
    • ABOUT
      • History
      • Team
      • Careers
      • News
        • In The News
        • Press Releases
    • SCHOOLS
      • Field Trips
      • Outreach Opportunities
      • Homeschool Days
      • Online
        Resources
      • Teacher Workshops
      • Kids’ Summer
        Groups
    • HOME
    • VISIT
      • Hours
      • Location
      • Directions & Parking
      • Admission
      • Groups
      • Calendar
    • PROGRAM SCHEDULE
      • Winter
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Fall
    • EXPLORE
      • Exhibits
      • Events
      • Tours, Talks, & Workshops
    • SUPPORT
      • Become a Member
      • Adopt-a-Nest
      • Adopt-a-Dolphin
      • Donate
      • Volunteers & Interns
      • Sponsors
    • ABOUT
      • History and Mission
      • Team
      • Careers
      • News
    • SCHOOLS
      • Field Trips
      • Outreach Opportunities
      • Homeschool Days
      • Online
        Resources
      • Teacher Workshops
      • Summer
        Kid’s Groups
    FREE ADMISSION
    ✕

    Santa Elena

    • Home
    • Shortcodes
    • Santa Elena
    • 1493
      Columbus Discovery

      Columbus Describes His New Discovery

      1493

      Columbus Describes His New Discovery

      Columbus' letter to Spain's King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella desribing...
      Continue reading
    • 1494
      First European Settlement

      FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT

      1494

      FIRST EUROPEAN SETTLEMENT

      Continue reading
    • 1494
      Spain Portugal Divide

      SPAIN AND PORTUGAL DIVIDE THE NEW WORLD

      1494

      SPAIN AND PORTUGAL DIVIDE THE NEW WORLD

      Continue reading
    • 1496

      SANTO DOMINGO IS FOUNDED BY COLUMBUS

      1496

      SANTO DOMINGO IS FOUNDED BY COLUMBUS

      Continue reading
    • 1499

      Vasco de Gama Reaches India

      1499

      Vasco de Gama Reaches India

      Continue reading
    • 1500

      South America is Discovered

      1500

      South America is Discovered

      Continue reading
    • 1505
      South America Discovered

      Columbus’ Fourth Expedition Produces Understanding of the New World

      1505

      Columbus’ Fourth Expedition Produces Understanding of the New World

      Continue reading
    • 1507
      First Map of America

      “America”

      1507

      “America”

      Continue reading
    • 1508

      Still no Western Route to the Indies

      1508

      Still no Western Route to the Indies

      Continue reading
    • 1511
      map with Cuba

      But There’s Something There…

      1511

      But There’s Something There…

      Continue reading
    • 1513

      Major New Discoveries

      1513

      Major New Discoveries

      Continue reading
    • 1513

      Balboa Crosses the Isthmus

      1513

      Balboa Crosses the Isthmus

      Continue reading
    • 1514

      King Ferdinand Appoints De Leon

      1514

      King Ferdinand Appoints De Leon

      Continue reading
    • 1515
      DaVinicis Map

      Da Vinci’s Map of the New World

      1515

      Da Vinci’s Map of the New World

      Continue reading
    • 1515

      First Europeans on the Carolina Coast

      1515

      First Europeans on the Carolina Coast

      Continue reading
    • 1517

      Beginning of the Reformation

      1517

      Beginning of the Reformation

      Continue reading
    • 1519 - 1522

      It’s Not Flat!

      1519 - 1522

      It’s Not Flat!

      Continue reading
    • 1519 - 1522

      Charting La Florida

      1519 - 1522

      Charting La Florida

      Continue reading
    • 1521

      A Colonial Marketing Plan

      1521

      A Colonial Marketing Plan

      Continue reading
    • 1521

      Another Colony, and De Leon Perishes

      1521

      Another Colony, and De Leon Perishes

      Continue reading
    • 1523

      A New Govenor

      1523

      A New Govenor

      Continue reading
    • 1523

      Verazzano’s Survey of Eastern North America

      1523

      Verazzano’s Survey of Eastern North America

      Continue reading
    • 1524

      “Rio de la Cruz”

      1524

      “Rio de la Cruz”

      Continue reading
    • 1526
      Santa Elena

      “Santa Elena”

      1526

      “Santa Elena”

      Continue reading
    • 1526

      First European Municipality San Miguel de Gualdape

      1526

      First European Municipality San Miguel de Gualdape

      Continue reading
    • 1526

      First African Slaves Imported on What is Now US Soil

      1526

      First African Slaves Imported on What is Now US Soil

      Continue reading
    • 1528

      Nárvaez’ Expedition to Find a Northern Connection to Mexico

      1528

      Nárvaez’ Expedition to Find a Northern Connection to Mexico

      Continue reading
    • 1529

      Santa Elena Included on the Latest Spanish Charts

      1529

      Santa Elena Included on the Latest Spanish Charts

      Continue reading
    • 1534

      English Act of Supremacy, and French Explorations of North American coast

      1534

      English Act of Supremacy, and French Explorations of North American coast

      Continue reading
    • 1535

      Settlement in America Becomes a ‘Space Race’

      1535

      Settlement in America Becomes a ‘Space Race’

      Continue reading
    • 1536

      Cabeza de Vaca

      1536

      Cabeza de Vaca

      Continue reading
    • 1539 - 1543
      gold and Silver

      Gold and Silver Discovered in Peru; Silver Mines in Mexico

      1539 - 1543

      Gold and Silver Discovered in Peru; Silver Mines in Mexico

      Continue reading
    • 1540 - 1542

      Exploration by Coronado

      1540 - 1542

      Exploration by Coronado

      Continue reading
    • 1541 - 1543

      Ill-fated French Colony Near Present-day Quebec

      1541 - 1543

      Ill-fated French Colony Near Present-day Quebec

      Continue reading
    • 1546

      “Santa Elena” Mentioned

      1546

      “Santa Elena” Mentioned

      Continue reading
    • 1547

      Henry II and Catherine de Medici Assume Thrones of France

      1547

      Henry II and Catherine de Medici Assume Thrones of France

      Continue reading
    • 1549

      Rescued from Native Americans after 10 years

      1549

      Rescued from Native Americans after 10 years

      Continue reading
    • 1552

      Historia General de las Indias Published

      1552

      Historia General de las Indias Published

      Continue reading
    • 1554

      Prince Philip II Arranged Marriage with England’s Mary Tudor

      1554

      Prince Philip II Arranged Marriage with England’s Mary Tudor

      Continue reading
    • 1556
      King Philip

      Philip II Becomes King of Spain

      1556

      Philip II Becomes King of Spain

      Continue reading
    • 1557

      Santa Elena-centric Strategy Established by King Philip II

      1557

      Santa Elena-centric Strategy Established by King Philip II

      Continue reading
    • 1558

      Governor of New Spain

      1558

      Governor of New Spain

      Continue reading
    • 1559

      Protestantism grows, Hugeuenots Hold First National Synod

      1559

      Protestantism grows, Hugeuenots Hold First National Synod

      Continue reading
    • 1560

      England Challenges Treaty of Tordesillas

      1560

      England Challenges Treaty of Tordesillas

      Continue reading
    • 1561

      New Spain’s (Mexico’s) Attempts to Reach Punta de Santa Elena Fail

      1561

      New Spain’s (Mexico’s) Attempts to Reach Punta de Santa Elena Fail

      Continue reading
    • 1562
      Jean Ribault

      Jean Ribault explores the harbor, names it Port Royal, establishes Charlesfort

      1562

      Jean Ribault explores the harbor, names it Port Royal, establishes Charlesfort

      Continue reading
    • 1563

      Charlesfort abandoned, leaving Guillaume Rouffi behind

      1563

      Charlesfort abandoned, leaving Guillaume Rouffi behind

      Continue reading
    • 1564

      French Establish Fort Caroline on St. John’s River

      1564

      French Establish Fort Caroline on St. John’s River

      Continue reading
    • 1565

      Marooned Mariners Found Living with Natives After 15 Years

      1565

      Marooned Mariners Found Living with Natives After 15 Years

      Continue reading
    • 1565
      Menendez

      Menendez Ordered to Eliminate Fort Caroline

      1565

      Menendez Ordered to Eliminate Fort Caroline

      Continue reading
    • 1565

      English Privateer Hawkins Lands at Fort Caroline

      1565

      English Privateer Hawkins Lands at Fort Caroline

      Continue reading
    • 1565

      Ribault’s French Convoy Lands at Fort Caroline

      1565

      Ribault’s French Convoy Lands at Fort Caroline

      Continue reading
    • 1565

      Menendez Encounters French fleet

      1565

      Menendez Encounters French fleet

      Continue reading
    • 1565

      Menendez Establishes San Agustín, Marches to Take Fort Caroline

      1565

      Menendez Establishes San Agustín, Marches to Take Fort Caroline

      Continue reading
    • 1565

      Menendez Returns to Havana for Supplies

      1565

      Menendez Returns to Havana for Supplies

      Continue reading
    • 1566

      Menendez establishes La Ciudad de San Salvador (Santa Elena)

      1566

      Menendez establishes La Ciudad de San Salvador (Santa Elena)

      Continue reading
    • 1566

      Juan Pardo arrives

      1566

      Juan Pardo arrives

      Continue reading
    • 1566 - 1570

      Esteban de las Alas Named Governor of Santa Elena

      1566 - 1570

      Esteban de las Alas Named Governor of Santa Elena

      Continue reading
    • 1566
      Juan Pardo

      Juan Pardo Explores Present-day Carolinas as far as the Appalachians

      1566

      Juan Pardo Explores Present-day Carolinas as far as the Appalachians

      Continue reading
    • 1567

      Juan Pardo’s Second Expedition to the Interior

      1567

      Juan Pardo’s Second Expedition to the Interior

      Continue reading
    • 1568

      Santa Elena Receives 225 More Colonists

      1568

      Santa Elena Receives 225 More Colonists

      Continue reading
    • 1568

      French and Indians Collaborate in Revenge Attack on the Spanish

      1568

      French and Indians Collaborate in Revenge Attack on the Spanish

      Continue reading
    • 1569

      Santa Elena has Over 40 houses

      1569

      Santa Elena has Over 40 houses

      Continue reading
    • 1570

      Christian Mission Set Out for Vicinity of Future Jamestown

      1570

      Christian Mission Set Out for Vicinity of Future Jamestown

      Continue reading
    • 1571
      Capital City of La Florida

      Santa Elena Becomes Capital City of La Florida

      1571

      Santa Elena Becomes Capital City of La Florida

      Continue reading
    • 1571

      The Influence of Artist Jacques LeMoyne

      1571

      The Influence of Artist Jacques LeMoyne

      Continue reading
    • 1572
      Saint Bartholomew

      Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in Paris

      1572

      Saint Bartholomew’s Day Massacre in Paris

      Continue reading
    • 1574

      Pedro Menendez de Aviles dies

      1574

      Pedro Menendez de Aviles dies

      Continue reading
    • 1576

      Santa Elena Evacuated After Clashes with Alienated Natives

      1576

      Santa Elena Evacuated After Clashes with Alienated Natives

      Continue reading
    • 1576 - 1577

      Founder’s Nephew, Pedro Menendez Marques, Appointed Governor

      1576 - 1577

      Founder’s Nephew, Pedro Menendez Marques, Appointed Governor

      Continue reading
    • 1576 - 1579

      French shipwreck near site of Santa Elena; a fort is built

      1576 - 1579

      French shipwreck near site of Santa Elena; a fort is built

      Continue reading
    • 1577- 1587

      Spanish Military Re-occupy Santa Elena

      1577- 1587

      Spanish Military Re-occupy Santa Elena

      Continue reading
    • 1577 - 1580

      Francis Drake heads for the New World to plunder, winds up sailing around the world

      1577 - 1580

      Francis Drake heads for the New World to plunder, winds up sailing around the world

      Continue reading
    • 1579

      The end of Le Prince survivors

      1579

      The end of Le Prince survivors

      Continue reading
    • 1580

      Civilian Settlers Return to Santa Elena

      1580

      Civilian Settlers Return to Santa Elena

      Continue reading
    • 1584

      English Reconnaissance of the Outer Banks

      1584

      English Reconnaissance of the Outer Banks

      Continue reading
    • 1584

      Roanoke Colony Founded

      1584

      Roanoke Colony Founded

      Continue reading
    • 1586
      San Agustin

      San Agustín Sacked by Sir Francis Drake

      1586

      San Agustín Sacked by Sir Francis Drake

      Continue reading
    • 1587

      Santa Elena is abandoned again; Spanish consolidate at San Agustín

      1587

      Santa Elena is abandoned again; Spanish consolidate at San Agustín

      Continue reading
    • 1587

      Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

      1587

      Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

      Continue reading
    • 1588

      Loss of the Spanish Armada

      1588

      Loss of the Spanish Armada

      Continue reading
    • 1592

      Spanish military return to Santa Elena for a time

      1592

      Spanish military return to Santa Elena for a time

      Continue reading
    • 1593

      Philip II orders map of the New World updated

      1593

      Philip II orders map of the New World updated

      Continue reading
    • 1598

      King Philip II Dies

      1598

      King Philip II Dies

      Continue reading
    • 1607
      English at Jamestown

      The English Arrive at Jamestown

      1607

      The English Arrive at Jamestown

      Continue reading
    • 1609

      Jamestown Colony Secures Second Round of iInvestment

      1609

      Jamestown Colony Secures Second Round of iInvestment

      Continue reading
    • 1620

      The Mayflower Pilgrims arrive at Plymouth Rock

      1620

      The Mayflower Pilgrims arrive at Plymouth Rock

      Continue reading
    • 1663

      “Hilton Head”

      1663

      “Hilton Head”

      Continue reading
    • 1666

      Harry Woodward Becomes First English Settler in the Carolinas

      1666

      Harry Woodward Becomes First English Settler in the Carolinas

      Continue reading
    • 1670

      English colonists arrive, find Spanish-speaking Native Americans, relocate to found Charles Towne

      1670

      English colonists arrive, find Spanish-speaking Native Americans, relocate to found Charles Towne

      Continue reading
    • 1670

      Treaty of Madrid

      1670

      Treaty of Madrid

      Continue reading
    • 1686

      Spanish fleet eliminates Scottish settlement at Stuart Town

      1686

      Spanish fleet eliminates Scottish settlement at Stuart Town

      Continue reading
    • 1763

      Spain cedes “La Florida” to England

      1763

      Spain cedes “La Florida” to England

      Continue reading

    Contact


    843.689.6767

    info@coastaldiscovery.org

    70 Honey Horn Drive
    Hilton Head Island
    SC 29926

    footer-social-ig footer-social-fb footer-social-tt footer-google footer-social-pinterest footer-linkedin

    Site Map

    Visit

    Schedule

    Explore

    Donate

    About

    Schools

    Sign up for updates on our programs, exhibitions and events
    Loading
    Best Museum 2026 Best Wedding Venue 2026
    Best Museum 2025 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice 2024
    © 2026 Coastal Discovery Museum | Privacy Policy | Triad Brand Marketing
      FREE ADMISSION