Winter Wonderland: December-January Research Room Display by Sydney Whiteside

Happy December and happy holiday season! For this month’s display case, I decided to embrace a rare occurrence in our collection as well as in our state: SNOW! 

When I moved from Maryland to South Carolina almost five years ago, I begrudgingly came to terms with the fact that the chances of having a white Christmas (or any snow at all for that matter) dwindled to dust. I heard locals speak of slight snowfalls that have occurred in the past; but with my luck, I did not dare get my hopes up. And then, in January, it happened. It actually snowed! Yes, the snow almost immediately turned into sludge and froze over... but in the wee hours of the night as the flakes fell, my husband and I danced for joy as the snow kissed our faces. The Library even closed for a few days.

I apologize for getting lovey and sappy in a blog post of all things, but snow has always held a very special place in my heart. So, I am delighted to share with you the December Research Room display: Winter Wonderland!

Shelf One:

The Evening Light by Warren Slesinger (2013) is a collection of poems published by The South Carolina Poetry Archives at Furman University. Greenville is not within the BDC’s typical geographic collection range, but Slesinger is a Beaufort resident and includes multiple poems inspired by the town. The poem I wish to share is entitled “Winter with Migraine,” a vivid poem that sheds light on the tribulations of the season. This title is a BDC exclusive.

Do not be fooled by the bright, floral cover of Seasons in the Garden by Sandra Fischer (2015); the book contains more than poems and stories about the spring and summer months. My favorite winter piece from Fischer is titled “December Roses of Remembrance.” A lone December rose in the garden brings memories of those who are no longer here. In the frigid winter months, these memories are what keep us warm. This title is a BDC exclusive.

“Winter with Migraine” and “December Roses of Remembrance” convey two completely different feelings toward the freezing season, but share the symbolization of roses in winter. Intrigued by this connection, I decided to do a little research. According to floral expert Kate Hill, European folklore views a rose blooming in winter as a light shining through the darkness (Hill, 2025). The contrast of the intense red rose against the bright white snow mirrors the contrast between light and dark, signifying hope in the face of despair. [It brings to mind one of favorite Christmas hymns "Lo' How a Rose E'er Blooming." - gmc]  

To coincide with the ongoing ecological theme of the first shelf, I have included South Carolina Naturalists: An Anthology, 1700-1860 compiled by the University of South Carolina Press (1998). This is a collection of essays, journals, lectures, letters, and poems written by naturalists in South Carolina from the colonial and antebellum eras. I particularly like “Autumn Coloring, Fall of the Leaf, Winter Habit of Trees and Shrubs in the Lower Country of South Carolina” (1860) by William Wragg Smith. 

William Wragg Smith lived many lives in his 67 years on earth. He was a lawyer, naturalist, planter, poet, and translator. Smith was said to be a “gentleman of education and culture” who devoted much of his time to furthering the South Carolina Lowcountry’s knowledge of botany through investigations and publications. “Autumn Coloring” is a very interesting essay that melds art and science. Between the inspections of changing trees in the Lowcountry, Smith incorporates poems about these observations that bring his findings to life. This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System. 

Shelf Two:

In the year of 1973, Beaufortonians witnessed multiple snowfalls, a rarity for the southern town. The first snow occurred in February, and the second occurred in April. From the 15 February 1973 publication of the Beaufort Gazette, front and center on the first page is the headline “Record Shattering Six-Inch Snowfall Causes Some Havoc, Much Frolic.” On page 11A of the same publication, the Beaufort Gazette shared a plethora of community photos depicting all the winter fun and stating that “Old Man Winter Exceeded Himself This Time.” There are photos of children sledding, teenagers building snowmen, and snow blanketing the trees and streets of the Lowcountry. The BDC has copies of the Beaufort Gazette from July 16, 1903 - March 31, 2015, available to view on microfilm. 

On the right is a surrogate photo of a woman with her camera posing in front of a snow-covered Bay Street; that woman is none other than Lucille Hasell Culp. To the left is a surrogate photo of a snow-covered Church of Christ that Mrs. Culp had taken during one of the great snow of 1973. Locally known for her photography skills and running Palmetto Studios for forty years, Mrs. Culp primarily took photographs of her community and military events, structures that are no longer extant or greatly altered, iconic architecture, commercial activities, natural vistas, and daily life from 1941 – 1999. 

After Mrs. Culp’s passing and with the assistance of her niece, the BDC accumulated 20 cubic feet of materials containing photographs, journals, scrapbooks, and files all previously belonging to Mrs. Culp. To this day, the Lucille Hasell Culp Collection is the largest archival collection in the BDC. Though the collection is only partially processed, a portion of her photographs are available to view online through the Lowcountry Digital Library: The Lucille Hasell Culp Collection – A Celebration of Beaufort, South Carolina. [We always prefer to use surrogates in our displays to better protect the originals from damage from light and handling. - gmc]  

Along the Way: A Collection of Private Thoughts in Public Words, 1978-1995 by Wilhelmina Mitchell (1995). “The Magic of Snow” is a short story about the first time Mitchell had ever seen snow. I absolutely love her imagery. Mitchell describes snowflakes as “fluffy feathers” that create a “make-believe spectacle; a wonder fairyland.” She goes on to compare the dullness of the day prior with the coziness and awe she is now taking in. From the floral curtains that contrast the “many-faceted diamonds” sprinkling the windowpane to the houses surrounding her that remind her of “frosted cakes,” Mitchell truly brings her winter wonderland to life with her words. This title is a BDC exclusive.

This shelf also contains one of my favorite decorative pieces I have stumbled upon during my time here: a little ceramic snow-covered public library! 

Shelf Three:

Vanishing Light by Ben Ham (2009) is an adventure through the many different landscapes of South Carolina. From the mountains to the ocean, this book contains 69 different photographs taken by Ham, along with stories of his journey throughout the state. Though the front cover does not depict a South Carolinian winter wonderland, there are multiple breathtaking photographs of snow covered Lowcountry landscapes inside this coffee table book. This title is a BDC exclusive.

New Writing in South Carolina by William Peden (1971) is a collection of poems and short stories written by up and coming South Carolinian authors of the early 70’s, some of whom called Beaufort home. There are multiple winter related pieces scattered throughout this collection, but the one I have chosen to share is “The snow came” by Robert Hill. This is light-hearted poem of children enjoying a rare southern snow. The whopping three inches of snow did not stop the children from bellyflopping, sledding, or enjoying the rarity in their “conglomerations of Southern clothes.” This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System. 

Atop the copy of New Writing in South Carolina lay another surrogate photograph from Lucille Hasell Culp that shows the Beaufort snowstorm of 1943. It is a tad difficult to see due to the coloring of the photo, but the grass, streets, and vehicles a covered in a light dusting of snow.

Shelf Four:

Paradise: Memories of Hilton Head in the Early Days by Nelle Smith (2018) as Smith reminisces on the “simpler” times of Hilton Head before the quiet island turned into a bustling paradise. On the morning of February 8, 1968, Islanders awoke to a sheet of snow covering Hilton Head. School was called off, and children were bundled in whatever clothing that could protect them from the chill. Socks were used as gloves and heads and ears were bundled tight. Children built snowmen and used cookie sheets as sleds. I was so delighted to learn that these families also partook in one of my favorite winter weather traditions: snow cream! All you have to do is scoop up some (clean) snow, add in a few drops of vanilla and a splash of heavy cream and voila, you have snow ice cream! This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System. 

Crying in the Wilderness: A Juke Joint Poet, a Patriot of Pines, a Partisan of Palmettos, a Prince of Porpoises by Roger Pinckney (2017) is a collection of Pinckney’s thoughts and feelings of the everchanging wilderness scattered into various essays. From turtles and oceans to fire and stones, Pinckney writes of the many different aspects of nature. 

In an essay titled “Through the Bare Boughs of Winter Trees,” Pinckney stares out into a snow dusted forest as his friend is dying beside him. Plagued with thoughts of the unfortunate life his friend was dealt, Pinckney could feel the light and hope inside of him shredding to shambles, much like the rest of the world at the time. The world was at war, yet somehow the earth was forced to pay the price. Forests were torn down for factories and animals were poisoned with the same acid that burned the skin of his friend. Though his friend will not live to see another sunrise, Pinckney concludes his thoughts as he glances out to “a great river seeks the sea, and distant lights—like hope and faith—faintly glimmer through the bare boughs of winter trees.” This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System. 

To conclude this chilly post, I wanted to share an old photo of me in the snow (Thanks Mom)! I hope you have enjoyed this glimpse into Beaufort’s history of winter wonderlands! If you are interested in any of the materials I have shared today, or wish to explore our collection for yourself. Walk-ins are sometimes accepted while appointments are always encouraged. To make an appointment, send an email to bdc@bcgov.net or give us a call at 843-255-6468. We hope to hear from you soon!