Here in the Beaufort District Collection, there is always something new to discover, whether it is freshly uncovered or recently rediscovered. Materials may be specifically purchased for the collection, generously gifted by individuals, or even be donated to us from surrounding libraries or the Friends of the Beaufort Library. No matter where these items in our collection have come from, they are new to us in one way or another.
The previous New (and New-to-Us) update was split into two separate posts, as we had a lotttttt of ground to cover. This time, you will be receiving both the library and the archival collection updates in one cohesive post (yay!). The materials we will be discussing have been integrated into the BDC between the 1 April and 30 June of 2025. First is the new library materials brought to you by Sydney. This will include all of our new titles, posters, maps, directories, and magazines. Then, Cassandra will provide an update on all things new in the BDC’s archival collection. We hope you enjoy learning about these new materials as much as we do. If you are interested in viewing any of the following materials for yourself, please see the end of this post for instructions on how to make an appointment. Without further ado, let’s see what’s new!
New Library Materials- Up Here: The Hunting Island Lighthouse and its Lightkeepers by Theodore Panayotoff and Linda Miller (2024). Have you ever been interested in learning more about the Hunting Island Lighthouse? From its creation in 1859, to its demolition during the Civil War, and its rebuilding in 1873; this iconic historic site has lived many lives and remains a symbol of hope in and around the community. BTW: We'll host the author on National Lighthouse Day, August 7th, at the St. Helena Branch Library.
- Change Gonna Come by Cheryl Miles (2025). This title is a BDC exclusive.
This historical fiction title follows Lucy as she navigates the war torn Sea Islands. As a young, orphaned, Gullah slave living through the Civil War, Lucy is determined to create her own future while also answering the questions of her past, most notably: Who was her mother and where did she go? - Storybuilders by Lady's Island Elementary School (2023). This title is a BDC exclusive. Storybuilders is a heartwarming title that is full of plays, poems, and short stories created by Beaufort students in grades 3 - 5.
- Romancing the Gullah in the Age of Porgy and Bess by Kendra Y. Hamilton (2024). Many sources gloss over the significance of Gullah culture during the Great Migration. Determined to change this, Hamilton set out to create a new source that accurately recounts all aspects of Gullah culture throughout its long and impactful history in and around the Lowcountry.
- Descended: Searching for My Gullah-Geechee Roots by Keith Rushing (2025). After learning that the name Sancho is an African name commonly used in the Gullah Geechee community, Rushing set out on a journey to learn more about his family's past. This motivated him to uncover the history of his family, located our own Hilton Head Island, dating all the way back to 1843.
- Coastal South Carolina Fish & Game: History, Culture and Conservation by James O. Luken (2021). Luken, a Professor of Biology at Coastal Carolina University, created this comprehensive overview of the history of hunting and fishing in South Carolina. From Native Americans to current day commercial fishermen, wildlife has always been essential for survival of humans in the Palmetto State. Over time, conservation of fauna became a priority in order to ensure the stability of supply.
Wade Hampton's Iron Scouts: Confederate Special Forces by D. Michael Thomas (2018). The first of its kind; this is the full, untold story of Wade Hampton's "Iron Scouts." This group was made up of men who utilized unconventional methods in battle while placed behind enemy lines. These skills caught the eyes of Generals Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart and Wade Hampton, resulting in the men becoming a crucial part of coming war plans.
- South Carolina Golf by Robert Gillespie and Tommy Braswell (2021). Many people are unaware of the important role South Carolina has played in the history of golf in America. Not only did Charleston receive the first set of golf clubs from Scotland in 1739, but the South Carolina city has also produced multiple World Golf Hall of Fame players. Golf lovers and all can explore more exciting facts, including some about our Heritage Classic in South Carolina Golf.
- A Faith Journey 1938-2021: The Renourishing of a Faith and the Nourishing of a Church by Barbara Pinkerton (2021). This title is a BDC exclusive. After a tragic loss in her life, Pinkerton fell heart first into a journey of love and healing with the support of an entire community around her.
- The Gullah Geechee Journey: South Carolina's Coastal Heritage Unveiled by Willard Fischer (2024). Dive deep into the rich history of South Carolina's Gullah Geechee culture and coastal heritage. Fischer shares the many different traditions throughout Gullah history; from religion to rhythms, to cuisine and crafts, and everything in between and beyond.
Ahead of Her Time: The Trailblazing Life and Literary Legacy of Ann Head by Nancy Head Thode (2025). Known and loved by the Beaufort community, this new release recounts the legacy of local legendary writer Ann Head. Nancy Head Thode, Head's daughter, sheds light on never before shared aspects of her mother's life. This is a tribute to Head's tenacious and talented career.
- Scars on the Land: An Environmental History of Slavery in the American South by David Silkenat (2022). Silkenat investigates the relationship between slavery and the environment. Enslaved people were forced to work day and night, straining already fragile ecosystems. Scars on the Land explores the scars left on enslaved people in tandem with those left on our environment.
- Deep Souths: Delta, Piedmont, and Sea Island Society in the Age of Segregation by J. William Harris (2001). Harris investigates the shifts, or the lack there of, of social spectrums in the lower regions of the South from Reconstruction to World War II and how these perspectives paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This title was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History.
- The Official Guide to South Carolina State Parks by South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (2022). Perfect for anyone who loves to explore the great outdoors, this guidebook offers a plethora of information on each of the 38 different parks throughout South Carolina.
- The Pen by University of South Carolina Beaufort Students (2015-2023). One of our library colleagues, Hudson DeLoach gifted 11 issues of this student publication to the BDC. Each issue has a theme and contains short stories, poems, art, and photographs conveying that theme. The BDC now houses the following issues: Blue, Identity, Grounded, Exploration, Discovery, Genesis, Resurgence, and Conviction thanks to Hudson.
- Nemours Wildlife Foundation: Its History and Its Legacy by John M. Burbage (2020). This title is a BDC exclusive. This title captures the beauty and awe of the Nemours Wildlife Foundation. Readers will learn about the history of its various expansive estates, the founding DuPont family, and how Nemours came to be; including the wildlife research and community outreach activities that has been conducted over the last thirty years.
Posters: the BDC collects different images and posters from around the community. Posters are flattened, encapsulated, and then catalogued to be added to our collection.
Here in the Beaufort District Collection, there is always something new to discover, whether it is freshly uncovered or recently rediscovered. Materials may be specifically purchased for the collection, generously gifted by individuals, or even be donated to us from surrounding libraries or the Friends of the Beaufort Library. No matter where these items in our collection have come from, they are new to us in one way or another.
- Up Here: The Hunting Island Lighthouse and its Lightkeepers by Theodore Panayotoff and Linda Miller (2024). Have you ever been interested in learning more about the Hunting Island Lighthouse? From its creation in 1859, to its demolition during the Civil War, and its rebuilding in 1873; this iconic historic site has lived many lives and remains a symbol of hope in and around the community. BTW: We'll host the author on National Lighthouse Day, August 7th, at the St. Helena Branch Library.
- Change Gonna Come by Cheryl Miles (2025). This title is a BDC exclusive. This historical fiction title follows Lucy as she navigates the war torn Sea Islands. As a young, orphaned, Gullah slave living through the Civil War, Lucy is determined to create her own future while also answering the questions of her past, most notably: Who was her mother and where did she go?
- Storybuilders by Lady's Island Elementary School (2023). This title is a BDC exclusive. Storybuilders is a heartwarming title that is full of plays, poems, and short stories created by Beaufort students in grades 3 - 5.
- Romancing the Gullah in the Age of Porgy and Bess by Kendra Y. Hamilton (2024). Many sources gloss over the significance of Gullah culture during the Great Migration. Determined to change this, Hamilton set out to create a new source that accurately recounts all aspects of Gullah culture throughout its long and impactful history in and around the Lowcountry.
- Descended: Searching for My Gullah-Geechee Roots by Keith Rushing (2025). After learning that the name Sancho is an African name commonly used in the Gullah Geechee community, Rushing set out on a journey to learn more about his family's past. This motivated him to uncover the history of his family, located our own Hilton Head Island, dating all the way back to 1843.
- Coastal South Carolina Fish & Game: History, Culture and Conservation by James O. Luken (2021). Luken, a Professor of Biology at Coastal Carolina University, created this comprehensive overview of the history of hunting and fishing in South Carolina. From Native Americans to current day commercial fishermen, wildlife has always been essential for survival of humans in the Palmetto State. Over time, conservation of fauna became a priority in order to ensure the stability of supply.
- Wade Hampton's Iron Scouts: Confederate Special Forces by D. Michael Thomas (2018). The first of its kind; this is the full, untold story of Wade Hampton's "Iron Scouts." This group was made up of men who utilized unconventional methods in battle while placed behind enemy lines. These skills caught the eyes of Generals Robert E. Lee, J.E.B. Stuart and Wade Hampton, resulting in the men becoming a crucial part of coming war plans.
- South Carolina Golf by Robert Gillespie and Tommy Braswell (2021). Many people are unaware of the important role South Carolina has played in the history of golf in America. Not only did Charleston receive the first set of golf clubs from Scotland in 1739, but the South Carolina city has also produced multiple World Golf Hall of Fame players. Golf lovers and all can explore more exciting facts, including some about our Heritage Classic in South Carolina Golf.
- A Faith Journey 1938-2021: The Renourishing of a Faith and the Nourishing of a Church by Barbara Pinkerton (2021). This title is a BDC exclusive. After a tragic loss in her life, Pinkerton fell heart first into a journey of love and healing with the support of an entire community around her.
- The Gullah Geechee Journey: South Carolina's Coastal Heritage Unveiled by Willard Fischer (2024). Dive deep into the rich history of South Carolina's Gullah Geechee culture and coastal heritage. Fischer shares the many different traditions throughout Gullah history; from religion to rhythms, to cuisine and crafts, and everything in between and beyond.
- Ahead of Her Time: The Trailblazing Life and Literary Legacy of Ann Head by Nancy Head Thode (2025). Known and loved by the Beaufort community, this new release recounts the legacy of local legendary writer Ann Head. Nancy Head Thode, Head's daughter, sheds light on never before shared aspects of her mother's life. This is a tribute to Head's tenacious and talented career.
- Scars on the Land: An Environmental History of Slavery in the American South by David Silkenat (2022). Silkenat investigates the relationship between slavery and the environment. Enslaved people were forced to work day and night, straining already fragile ecosystems. Scars on the Land explores the scars left on enslaved people in tandem with those left on our environment.
- Deep Souths: Delta, Piedmont, and Sea Island Society in the Age of Segregation by J. William Harris (2001). Harris investigates the shifts, or the lack there of, of social spectrums in the lower regions of the South from Reconstruction to World War II and how these perspectives paved the way for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This title was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in History.
- The Official Guide to South Carolina State Parks by South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism (2022). Perfect for anyone who loves to explore the great outdoors, this guidebook offers a plethora of information on each of the 38 different parks throughout South Carolina.
- The Pen by University of South Carolina Beaufort Students (2015-2023). One of our library colleagues, Hudson DeLoach gifted 11 issues of this student publication to the BDC. Each issue has a theme and contains short stories, poems, art, and photographs conveying that theme. The BDC now houses the following issues: Blue, Identity, Grounded, Exploration, Discovery, Genesis, Resurgence, and Conviction thanks to Hudson.
- Nemours Wildlife Foundation: Its History and Its Legacy by John M. Burbage (2020). This title is a BDC exclusive. This title captures the beauty and awe of the Nemours Wildlife Foundation. Readers will learn about the history of its various expansive estates, the founding DuPont family, and how Nemours came to be; including the wildlife research and community outreach activities that has been conducted over the last thirty years.
- “Library Bookmark Contest: Color Our World: Beaufort County Library Summer Reading, 2025” Beaufort County Library, 2025.
- “Pre-K and Kindergarten Pre-Registration 2025-2026 School Year” Beaufort County School District, 2025
- “Kayak Based Clean Up” Outside Foundation, 2025.
- “Skeleton Crew” Lean Ensemble Theater, 2025.
- “Disney Beauty and the Beast Jr.” Bluffton Youth Theatre, 2025.
- “Beaufort Human Library” Technical College of the Lowcountry and the Pat Conroy Literary Center, 2025.
- “An Evening of Music with Skye Peterson” St. Helena's Anglican Church, 2025.
- “2025 Beaufort County Library Summer Reading” Beaufort Country Library, 2025.
- “Beaufort Children's Theatre Presents Alice in Wonderland Jr.” University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts, 2025.
- "Beaufort County Library Presents: 2025 Summer Reading Kickoff" Beaufort County Library, 2025.
- "The Beaufort Garden Club's Garden a Day" Beaufort Garden Club, 2025.
Maps: the BDC collects maps that pertain to Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton counties. Maps are flattened, encapsulated, and then catalogued to be added to our collection.- Beaufort Discovery Map 2024-2025, Discovery Map, 2025.
- “Library Bookmark Contest: Color Our World: Beaufort County Library Summer Reading, 2025” Beaufort County Library, 2025.
- “Pre-K and Kindergarten Pre-Registration 2025-2026 School Year” Beaufort County School District, 2025
- “Kayak Based Clean Up” Outside Foundation, 2025.
- “Skeleton Crew” Lean Ensemble Theater, 2025.
- “Disney Beauty and the Beast Jr.” Bluffton Youth Theatre, 2025.
- “Beaufort Human Library” Technical College of the Lowcountry and the Pat Conroy Literary Center, 2025.
- “An Evening of Music with Skye Peterson” St. Helena's Anglican Church, 2025.
- “2025 Beaufort County Library Summer Reading” Beaufort Country Library, 2025.
- “Beaufort Children's Theatre Presents Alice in Wonderland Jr.” University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts, 2025.
- "Beaufort County Library Presents: 2025 Summer Reading Kickoff" Beaufort County Library, 2025.
- "The Beaufort Garden Club's Garden a Day" Beaufort Garden Club, 2025.
- Beaufort Discovery Map 2024-2025, Discovery Map, 2025.
Directories and Magazines: the BDC collects all different kinds of directories, including (but not limited to) city and phone directories. We're as current with the South Carolina Historical Magazine as we can be. These items are housed in our ready reference section for easy access, as they tend to be utilized quite often.
- South Carolina Historical Magazine: July 2021 Volume 122, Number 3, South Carolina Historical Society and the College of Charleston Libraries, 2021.
- The Lowcountry Phone Directory: Beaufort, Jasper & Hampton Counties, CPC Yellow Pages, 2025.
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New Archival Materials
These letters are actually the original copies of some of the letters found on the “Harman Collection of Hilton Head Island 1960-1990" microfilm reels available in the BDC, specifically those letters found in sections HA, H, HJ, and HH. These originals were found in an old Hilton Head Branch Vertical File in February of 2025 by a BDC volunteer. The decision was made to separate these original records from the vertical files and to instead create an archival collection out of the material.
Jeanne and Harry E. Harman were 20th century travel writers who authored relocation guides for island resorts, including one for Hilton Head Island. This collection contains original correspondence related to their time on Hilton Head from 1970 to 1985, including publishing quotes and feedback on their guide, Hilton Head Island Report, along with correspondence related to the Harman’s Sea Pines Plantation villa.
The materials making up this collection were transferred to the BDC in the fall of 2024 by Penelope Holme Parker, along with other materials all used by Parker during the creation of an architectural history report she was writing on "The Castle." The materials were separated into three collections based on who the legal owners. Each signed a Deed of Gift to officially donate the materials to the BDC. This was the first collection of the three to be processed.
The Beaufort Garden Club Records collection was donated by President Kathleen Grewening of the Beaufort Garden Club in March of 2022. The Club was founded in 1934 as a social organization for women with an interest in gardening, beautification and environmental conservation. The collection spans from 1934 to 2018 and is made up of yearbooks and scrapbooks that document the Club's regular activities such as plant auctions, the annual Camellia Show, and their Garden-A-Day tour. They also are involved in local beautification and conservation efforts and provide floral arrangements for community events and celebrations.
This small collection contains photographs, pamphlets, organizational records, and other materials originally found in a scrapbook compiled by Mossy Oaks Garden Club member Vicki Blagg, along with other miscellaneous club records donated by Mrs. Blagg's daughter, Mary Lou Brewton in 2016. The Mossy Oaks Garden Club, founded in 1959, aimed to encourage community pride through the beautification of local land, including both personal gardens and public spaces.
This collection is technically not a new one, though its finding aid was just recently published on our WordPress blog. Donated in 2019 by members of the Camellia Garden Club and the Junior Camellia Garden Club, the collection was first processed by Samantha Perkins and Kristi Marshall that same year. However, the finding aid remained a draft, being updated with the collection in 2024 and published in 2025 by myself. The Camellia Garden Club Collection features yearbooks, scrapbooks, photographs, and other materials which document the club's history and activities from their founding in 1939 to the late 2010s.
The Beaufort County Resource Guides and Directories, created by Together for Beaufort County in partnership with other community organizations, are modern guides that cover various local services and resource information for Beaufort County. The guides are published annually in three forms: the Beaufort County disAbilities Resource Guide, the Beaufort County Military & Veterans Resource Guide, and the Beaufort County Seniors Resource Directory. While this collection is not made-up of historical material yet, the items within it will one day be valuable resources for understanding Beaufort County services in the 21st century.
We hope you have enjoyed learning about the exciting new additions to our library and archival collections! Various titles included in this post may be available for checkout through the SCLENDS consortium. Posters, maps, directories, magazines, and archival collections can be viewed in the BDC's Research Room.
If you are interested in any of the materials we have shared today, or wish to explore our collection for yourself, appointments are 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!
