"Exploring the History at Your Doorstep" with Nick Linville

We have one more local history program before the Thanksgiving Holidays. This time the BDC is on the road to the Hilton Head Branch Library on Friday, November 22, 2024. 

As is often the case, I get acquainted with potential local history speakers due to the time that they spend in the BDC Research Room. Some folks come off and on over the course of many years. Such is the case with historian Nick Linville. He's worked for the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' Heritage Preserves for a good number of years - and when he's worked on Beaufort County based properties, he's often done research with us. We're delighted to have the Hilton Head Chapter, Archaeological Society of South Carolina as co-sponsor for this session. 

Nick Linville, M.A., from Linville Historical Consulting will share the captivating stories he has uncovered through his years of research into three cultural preserves in the area: South Bluff Heritage Preserve on Coosaw Island, Altamaha Towne in Okatee, and Green’s Shell Enclosure on Hilton Head Island. From Native American archaeological sites to historic colonial plantations, enslaved quarters, and freedman homesteads, this presentation explores the deep layers of the past that are right here in Beaufort County. We hope that at the conclusion of his talk, participants will have a greater awareness and appreciation of the "... History at Your Doorstep." 

The general public is invited. Seating is first come; first seated. Doors will open at 12:30 pm for the lecture scheduled to begin at 1 PM. 

As a heads up: The Beaufort County Library will be closed Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holidays. Regular hours resume Saturday, November 30, 2024. 

Re-cap of BDC October 2024 Posts on Facebook

Note: Since I consider the "Archives Month" related posts the most important, they will be featured first; followed by "Black History Notes"; a "Materials Monday: Uniquely BDC" post; then I'll end with "This Week in the BDC," local history programs, and seasonal related posts.  I am condensing this summary to eliminate most references to the "Creepiest" image contest. -- gmc

October 1 - Monthly Overview: October is always one of the busiest months of the year in the BDC. We celebrate Archives Month, Archaeology Month, Family History Month, Gullah Geechee Heritage Month and half of Hispanic Heritage Month in the tenth month of the Gregorian calendar. Expect to see social media posts about each and all of these topics.

We have a lot of "stuff" to do: a mandatory County training; 2 community outreach efforts; 4 local history programs; and the semi-annual Library Staff Training Day on October 14th. In addition to our regular duties and working with Research Room customers, we're still trying to find the right person to join the BDC team by reviewing applications and setting up interviews.

As of this writing, Research Room closures related to these efforts will occur on Thursday, October 3rd, Monday, October 14th, Tuesday, October 15th and Tuesday, October 22nd. But other unexpected closures can occur due to inclement weather (we're still in Hurricane Season) and staff shortage.

Archives Month - including "Finding Aid Friday" posts:

October 3 - In honor of Archives Month: We get asked about what we have to support a business' or organization's anniversary celebration on a pretty regular basis. How we answer depends on a number of factors. Learn more in Connections.

October 4 - Since it's Archives Month, it'd reflect badly on us if we do not post a new Finding Aid each week during October. Cassandra recently completed the Finding Aid for a small postcard collection about the shrimping industry that we got last year.

October 11 - "Finding Aid Friday:" No matter how hard we try, sometimes we end up with artificial random collections of interesting historical material. Today's highlighted archival collection "Miscellaneous Archived Newspaper Collection, 1803-1998" is an excellent example. It's really cool to have that 1902 issue from the Beaufort Gazette - even though it's laminated - since our microfilm starts with the issue for July 16, 1903. Lamination, a "process of applying thin sheets of cellulose acetate to both sides of a document to reinforce it and protect it from the environment... is no longer considered appropriate for archival preservation." (SAA Dictionary). I like the tongue in cheek about the railroad depot.

October 18 - "Finding Aid Friday" in American Archives Month: Cassandra just got finished processing the second oldest local garden club records. Sea Island Garden Club was first organized in 1937 - but the records the Club gave us begin 40 years later in 1977.

Perhaps some older records will surface from the personal papers of former members before the Club starts looking for materials to celebrate the SIGC's 100th anniversary. I often suggest to customers in the process of compiling materials for an organization's anniversary that they poll current members and former members - and the adult children of deceased former members - for any programs or photographs that they might have. Sometimes a documentary treasure will turn up from the ask.

I encourage donation of compiled printed histories of local organizations to the BDC for future researchers to use. Contact the BDC if your organization has something to share: bdc@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468.

October 21 - "Uniquely BDC Materials Monday" in Archives Month:" 2 of the BDC's 9 collections hosted by the Lowcountry Digital Library are stereoscope photographs from the Civil War and Reconstruction eras. Enjoy the LA Hall Collection. Ever wonder what precisely is a stereoscope? This article explains.

October 23: From time to time, a processing archivist has to go outside to clean up some damaged archival material. Cassandra discovered some dormant [thank goodness!] mold in the collection she was working on today. One folder of material came to us previously water damaged and at some point in the past, some mold had developed on the paper. Since we don't have a ventilation hood - and the weather is quite temperate today - she's working outside this afternoon - nitrile gloved and wearing a NIOSH Particulate Respirator just to err on the side of extreme caution. We'll isolate and monitor the material over the coming weeks just to make sure that it's safe to be around humans and other special collections materials. (And here I'd bet that you likely thought that all we did was "read" during our workday.) In case there's any doubt: We [heart, heart, heart] the archives life!

October 24, 3 PM - The BDC is lucky to have Laura and Val working on the merger of vertical files from Beaufort Branch and Hilton Head Branch libraries into the BDC's historically minded folders. We're in year 7 of this long term project and down from about 25 linear feet of material with approximately 6 linear feet more to go. Look how happy Laura looks to see an empty drawer! A job well done continues.

October 25 - Goal achieved for Archives Month! The 4th new archival Finding Aid has posted to our BDCBLC: Lists, Links and Finding Aids blog. The 1992 Political Campaign Information Collection contains information voluntarily submitted to the Beaufort County Library by candidates running for county and statewide office in Beaufort County. The submitted information includes candidate biographies, portraits, and campaign materials of interest to historical, political, and genealogical researchers.

October 28 - "Uniquely BDC: Materials Monday" in Archives Month: Last week I highlighted the L.A. Hall Stereoscope Collection; This week take a look at the Civil War and Reconstruction Era Stereoscope Photographs of the Port Royal Region.

Black History Notes:

October 2 - "Black History Note:" Now that it's Hispanic Heritage Month, I offer this "fun" connection - Gullah traditions for Spanish Moss. Hoodoo Medicine by medical anthropologist Faith Mitchell describes uses for "Tillandsia usneoides" (AKA Spanish Moss, black moss, long moss, and old man's beard) that hangs down from many local trees. She mentions soaking Spanish Moss in water for an "invigorating bath; " Spanish Moss tea can help lower blood pressure; and Spanish Moss can wrap around the sprains or be mixed with clay and vinegar to help mend injured joints. (p. 74)

October 9 -"Black History Note Wednesday" in Archaeology Month: Check out one of Beaufort County's significant religious structures, Wesley United Methodist Church in Beaufort, on the "Preserving African American Spaces" StoryMap.

October 16 - "Black History Note" in Archaeology Month: The BDC has a collection of SC Archaeology Month posters that includes Expressions of African American Culture from October 2009. You can see the front - and all the wonderful information on the back - online. It has a particularly interesting article about sweet grass backets on the verso.

October 23 - "Black History Note" in Archaeology Month: The Plantation Landscape : Slaves and Freedmen at Seabrook Plantation, Hilton Head Island, S.C. by Rachel Campo (1998) is a publication of the prolific Chicora Foundation. Investigations reveal differences in the landscape architecture and material culture between the Southern slave row used before the Civil War and how the structures were used during and after the Civil War period. Recovered artifacts indicate changing lifestyles of African Americans between the antebellum and Reconstruction era periods. This research study is also available online as a PDF from the Foundation's website: in case you'd like to download a copy.

Materials Monday: Uniquely BDC

October 7 - "Uniquely BDC: Materials Monday:" Today's featured item is by far the longest of all the Beaufort County Historical Society papers. In fact, the narrative and notes are 78 leaves, followed by 5 appendices of supplemental information.

Appendix A is an excerpt from "The First Discovery and Natural History of Florida" by William Roberts (1763); Appendix B is a discussion of "The River Jordan and Its Location," as it relates to the early explorations along the southeastern coast; Appendix C shares information about "Father Rogel and the Jesuits" abstracted from "The Romance of the Floridas" by Michael Kenny; Appendix D is "Copies of Documents," 1557 - 1580 translated from Spanish; and Appendix E is "Tracings and Notes on Early Cartography." It includes photostats of some early maps as well. Mrs. Danner certainly did some solid research for her time. We are privileged to be the caretakers of the Beaufort County Historical Society's archive.

Heads up: There will be no "Uniquely BDC" post next week [October 14] as it's Staff Development Day and the Library system will be closed.

"This Week in the BDC" posts etc.

October 6 - This Week in the BDC: DiSC training is high on the Library Administration's priority list. I went to the 3 hour session last week; Cassandra goes this week; both of us still need to complete the supplemental survey, and next week there's a component during Staff Development Day (October 14). Alyssa Krob and I head over to the Library's newest branch, Port Royal, to talk about many of the digital collections we share online on Thursday afternoon. We're watching the Gulf tropical storm for strengthening and potential impact here. So this is just a reminder: Any changes to the Library's usual operations are posted to the system website.

October 8 - Check out all the approved historical markers in SC on this new interactive map.

October 13 - This week in the BDC: The Library is closed on Monday, October 14th for staff training. The Beaufort History Museum/BCL local history series returns for season 8 on Tuesday. Tricia Kilgore will reprise her "History of the Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority" at St. Helena Branch Library - which means that Tuesday is a program day and the BDC will be closed to walk-in customers on October 15th. [Session 8.1B will be at Bluffton Branch next week so if you live south of the Broad River, you can catch it later.] Still deciding whether or not to attend? Read Connections to learn more about the speaker and her topic.

October 19 - Today's International Archaeology Day! International Archaeology Day (IAD) is a celebration of archaeology and its contributions to society. Every October the AIA and archaeological organizations around the world present archaeological programs and activities for people of all ages and interests. Although we don't have anything special scheduled for today, we have already done 3 archaeology related programs this fiscal year and another one is set for November 22. We also have a lot of archaeology reports for local sites in the BDC Research Room.

October 21 - "This Week in the BDC" we travel south of the Broad to Bluffton Branch on Tuesday with Tricia Kilgore and her history of the BJW&SA. Most people don't think about utilities and infrastructure - until they're gone. I encourage all to join us to hear the story of Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority – because it is an overlooked but very important local history topic. Potable water and sanitation are key components in infrastructure. Without the BJW&SA or something like it, the USMC may well have left in the early 1960s and pretty much most of the development since would not have happened. The history of Beaufort County from 1950-ish to today would be far, far different without the BJWSA.

October 26 - In honor of Beaufort's most famous author [Pat Conroy]. 

October 27 - "This week in the BDC:" The "Witching Hour" series continues with a post at 3 AM each night until Halloween when I will announce the winner of the "Creepiest" contest. I'm doing a community outreach session at OLLI, Beaufort on Wednesday. On Friday, November 1, join us to hear Tom Vaselopulos talk about the Civil War experiences of Alexander Campbell, 79th New York (USA) and his brother, James Campbell, 1st South Carolina (CSA) in "Highlander Brother versus Brother" at 2 PM in the Beaufort Branch meeting room. The following day, Saturday, November 2, Cassandra will woman the BDC's booth at the Living History Encampment at the Arsenal while I enjoy some time with visiting grandsons. And don't forget, the Friends of the Beaufort Library [and Port Royal, and Lobeco, and St. Helena, and the BDC] Fall Book Sale is happening in the Waterfront Park, Nov. 1 - 3. We appreciate your support of the FOBL.

October 29 - Because it's Family History Month - and this online workshop is available to registrants at no change - I share this announcement from the New England Historical and Genealogical Society about a webinar its running next month [November 14, 2024 3 - 4 PM] about how to write and publish your family's history.

October 30 - Tech check done [for the "Postcards in the BDC" presentation that I did for OLLI, Beaufort].

Ghost Stories series:

October 25, 3 AM: Over the next 7 nights, the BDC will share a spirited blog post during the witching hour for your entertainment. First up: Haunting Tales of Beaufort County Ghosts featuring tragic love stories, a murdered woman, and dead soldiers.

October 26, 3 AM: Another witching hour has come and the BDC has another Beaufort County tale for you: The Legend of Gauche, the Castle's ghostly apparition.

October 27, 3 AM: Every night until the dawn of All Hallow's Eve, the BDC will post a ghostly tale at the witching hour for your entertainment. Learn about tales of the boo hag of Gullah culture.

October 28, 3 AM: Here's your BDC blog post for the witching hour entertainment. The Beaufort Branch Library is said - by some - to have gremlins. Read personal accounts by former Library employees, Michael Broam and Darlene Bauer.

October 29, 3 AM: Sometimes, a mysterious tale can be funny: The Mysterious Roast Thief.

October 30, 3 AM: We're getting closer to All Hallow's Eve. Tonight's witching hour post is ... Haunted Houses: A Personal Encounter.

October 31, 3 AM: And now, our final witching hour post about local ghosts and mysterious phenomena: The Land's End Light.

Results of the "Creepiest" Contest: October 31, 2024 - It was neck and neck until about 3:30 this afternoon when one image began to sprint to the end. ... The winner of the "Creepiest" image in the "Phosphate, Farms, and Family: The Donner Collection" is .... Woman silhouetted in doorway! Thanks to all who participated.

Posts related to local history programs in October and the Living History Encampment and lecture were made on Oct. 5, 10, 14, 15, 22, and 24. Note: I made a mistake with the link for the Facebook post on October 25. The link was supposed to go to the Haunting Tales of Beaufort County but I mistakenly linked it to the Land's End Light. Facebook won't let me correct the error now. I have corrected the link above. - gmc 6 November 2024

"Historically Speaking" 6.2: Sheriff Matty White

In the early 20^th century, Beaufort County was riddled with violence and crime. Into the breach stepped lawman Matty White. Famed for his sporting skills and owner of a “fine pack of dogs,” White saw much during his tenure as a policeman, deputy sheriff, and sheriff (1912-1920): fires, murders, public executions and threats of lynchings and race riots. Come learn about some of Beaufort County’s rowdiest times and the man who tried to keep things under control with Neil Baxley, historian of the Sheriff’s Department. First come; first seated. Doors will open at 10:30 AM for seating for the lecture scheduled to begin at 11 AM. This lecture is co-sponsored by the Beaufort County Historical Society and the Beaufort District Collection.   

Speaker Bio: 

A native of North Carolina, Neil Baxley spent 4 years in the Marine Corps before joining the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office more than 40 years ago.  In 2013, Col. Baxley was put in charge of Beaufort County's Emergency Management Division.  In his spare time, he studies and writes history. He's given presentations at the South Carolina Archives and at area museums and libraries. He is the author of two Confederate regimental history books, Walk in the Light: The Journey of the 10th and 19th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry (2013) and No Prouder Fate: The Story of the 11th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry (2009) and the foreword to Confederate General Stephen Elliott: Beaufort Legend, Charleston Hero by D. Michael Thomas (2020).

Heads up: The Library system will be closed for Veteran's Day on November 11, 2024. 

Overview of What to Expect in November 2024

November Overview: This month is rather busy. Expect to see posts highlighting Native American Heritage Month, our 5 "specials;" changes to our schedule; and (fingers crossed) the onboarding of a new staff member before the month ends. I'm also taking some time off for family so there will be fewer than usual Materials Monday posts.

This afternoon we have a local history program at Beaufort Branch.

Cassi will be at the Civil War Encampment at the Arsenal 10 - 2 on Saturday representing the BDC - and sharing our own Library history that includes the 79th New York.

While you're downtown (for any reason) drop by the Friends of the Beaufort Library Book Sale in Waterfront Park, Nov. 1 - 3.

Please don't forget to vote for the candidates of your choice on Tuesday, Nov. 5.

On November 14, you can learn about an important former Sheriff, Matty White from Neil Baxley. This "Historically Speaking" lecture brought to you by the BDC and the Beaufort County Historical Society begins at 11 AM at Beaufort Branch Library.

We're giving some members of the Friends of the Beaufort Library Board a Behind-the Scenes tour on November 18th. On Friday, November 22, we heading south of the Broad River with Nick Linville who will discuss "Exploring History at Your Doorstep" at Hilton Head Branch Library.

The Library will be closed on Monday, November 11 for Veterans Day, and on November 28 and 29 for County's Thanksgiving holidays.

BDC Map #276 : Rough Map of Eustis Plantation on Ladies Island, S.C., 1879, 1908

Given that it's Archives Month, I thought that some of you might like to know a little more about the preservation issues inherent in taking care of BDC Map #276. The BDC does not have a lot of laminated materials left in the vertical files as we have been making photocopies during the integration project whenever possible and discarding the laminated items. I'm pretty sure that Map #276 is the only laminated map still remaining in our holdings. Unfortunately, its dimensions are too large for our workroom scanner to duplicate. We keep it in an oversized acid-free folder now to minimize the off-gassing exposure to other maps in the cabinet drawer. 

The BDC Research Room is the only place within the SCLENDS consortium that you can find this Rough Map of Eustis Plantation on Ladies Island SC originally drawn by George Gage in 1876 and filed at the Beaufort County register of deeds in 1879 but copied here by F.H. Swain on 22 January [19]08. It certainly looks like the reason for the map was to separate the plantation into lots for sale at what would be considered below bargain basement prices today.

Like many maps, there are layers of information. Arrows point to the Beaufort Ferry and to the St. Helena Island Bridge. Among the people, plantations, and other features shown are: Andrew Robinson, Bob Jenkins, Laurel Hill, Buzzard Island, Red Bluff, Fernanda Fields - which could be a person's name or an agricultural product, Punkin Hill, the "Hill", two gardens, cotton gin, pasture, woodlands, several dams, some structures, and a graveyard at the waters edge along the [C[h]owan] Creek.

You can see the acid migration in the center of the map. It looks like it was once in two pieces that were joined perhaps before or at the time of the lamination process. It's hard to tell.

Libraries, museums and archives had a vested interest in preserving and strengthening fragile paper documents, particularly those produced using wood-pulp fibers. An American engineer, William Barrow (1904-1967) invented the first lamination machine in 1936. He was an avid promoter of his lamination process, sometimes referred to as the Barrow Process, which was later found to be highly suspect as a way to extend the life of paper-based library and archival materials. According to Wikipedia, "Barrow's greatest significance is perhaps as an aggressive promoter of paper preservation, as in retrospect his scientific discoveries have not been entirely sound."

This map was laminated before I arrived on the job in 1999. My hunch is that it probably happened in the 1960s when lamination became widespread and cheap. I can remember seeing a laminating machine for Social Security cards in the Rose's Dime Store in Georgetown when I was a child. At that point in time, lamination became something of a standard practice. Archivists, librarians and curators were well intentioned but as the Wikipedia article noted, the science did not hold up to scrutiny. Once thought to help preserve and protect important documents, lamination as a preservation practice fell into disrepute in the mid-1970s when scientific tests proved how destructive the fusing of plastics into historic documents was. The saddest fact is that lamination, like light damage, cannot be undone. (If you'd like to geek out: here's a good summary of the difference between encapsulation - which the BDC does now -- and lamination.)

Though the service is still available through many vendors for personal use, archivists definitely do not apply the process to any materials within our safekeeping and do not recommend that anyone else with important documents to preserve does so either. Use in schoolrooms is still okay since those items tend not to be of an enduring historic value.

Local residents may recognize that Eustis plantation was on the Township One South and One West of St. Helena Meridian, S.C. map, more or less in the general area between the Walmart on Lady's Island and the Cowan Creek bridge today.

We encourage appointments to view the materials in our care: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468 because we'd hate for you to go to the trouble of driving downtown, finding a parking spot, paying the meter, entering the building and find that we were not here or had an appointment already and could not accept a walk-in customer. 

Lecture and Civil War Living History Encampment, Nov. 1 - 2

The Beaufort History Museum is hosting a Civil War re-enactment on Saturday, November 2, 2024. The afternoon before, the BDC and the BHM are hosting re-enactor Tom Vaselopulos who will speak about Alexander Campbell, 79^th New York (USA) and his brother, James Campbell, 1^st South Carolina (CSA)  who fought in competing armies. 

Beaufort History Museum is lead for both events.

The 79th Highlanders were stationed in Beaufort and were deployed to James Island in June 1862 in advance of the Battle of Secessionville. Alexander was on one side; his brother James on the other during the battle. Attending the lecture will better prepare you to thoroughly enjoy Saturday's living history re-enactment at the Arsenal. Two of the Union dead from that battle are buried in the Beaufort National Cemetery. 

“The American Civil War: Highlander Brother vs Brother” with Tom Vaselopulos | Friday, November 1, 2024 | Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street | 2 PM | First come, first seated. Door opens at 1:30 PM.

The following day, Saturday November 2nd, is the encampment. I'll drop in with some of my grandsons who will be visiting with me that weekend. [We're also going to shop at the Friends of the Beaufort Library book sale in Waterfront Park.] 

New York Highlanders Civil War Era Living History Encampment at the Arsenal | Saturday, November 2, 2024 | The Arsenal, 713 Craven Street, Beaufort | 9 AM - 4:30 PM

The demonstrations are free. Cassandra will be there from 10 AM to 2 PM showing off surrogates of some of our Civil War and Reconstruction materials, showing off what we have about the 79th Highlanders, sharing a little library history, and talking with interested passers-by and area residents. 

This is a repeat visit of the 79th New York Highlander Regiment to Beaufort. Learn about the history of the Union unit's Civil War service in the area. The re-enactors will set up camp in the walled Arsenal Courtyard and provide a unique educational opportunity for visitors of all ages, who will be able to interact with the soldiers to learn firsthand how life was lived in Beaufort during the Civil War years. Here's what you can expect:

1.      Historical re-enactors in full military regalia

2.      Experience Civil War era camp life through live presentations

3.      Enjoy educational discussions and interactive activities for the whole family

4.      Watch drills and marching throughout the day

Admission is free to the Encampment in the Arsenal courtyard (though donations to support the Museum are much appreciated by that all volunteer organization). There is usually a reduced entrance fee to the Museum during the encampment.  

JSYK: November 1 - 3 is a very busy weekend with lots of special activities planned in town. 

1. The Friends of the Beaufort Library Fall Book Sale is Friday, November 1 through Sunday, November 3, too. I have always been grateful the support that the Beaufort FOL has given to the BDC through the years. 
2. Though the BDC is not involved with the Fort Fremont Harvest Festival on Sunday afternoon, November 3rd, you might see me there with some of my grandsons. 
3. The Pat Conroy Literary Festival is going on that weekend, too. 

Fingers crossed that we do not get another tropical storm scare! 

Honoring Contributions of the Gullah Geechee People

October is Gullah Geechee Heritage Month. The Library honors Gullah Geechee heritage with special collections of Gullah Geechee heritage in the BDC and at the St. Helena Branch Library.

The BDC’s primary focus is geography. We collect a host of materials about a variety of topics within a defined geographical area – in other words, Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Collecting materials of and about Gullah heritage began more than 100 years ago. Some are very rare. A few can be found nowhere else. Overall, about 20% of BDC holdings relate in some manner to Gullah Geechee heritage. The BDC is acknowledged for having one of the largest collections of Gullah related materials in the Southeast. 

In contrast, the Gullah Geechee Reference collection at St. Helena Branch covers only one topic: Gullah Geechee culture as expressed throughout the southeastern United States. The secondary materials in St. Helena Branch’s reference collection extend also to the culture’s African roots.  

While there is some overlap in individual titles held, the two units are quite distinct. Both are maintained in recognition of the contribution of the Gullah Geechee people to our nation’s history.

We have posted some information and guides about Gullah culture online: 

Praise Houses in Gullah Religion and Social Practices

Gullah Culture: A Preliminary List

Beaufort History Moment: Gullah Food [video] with Emory Campbell

Beaufort History Moment: Gullah Language [video] with Emory Campbell

Sweetgrass Baskets in the Lowcountry 

 If you're looking for the best reads, pick a title or two from this flyer to begin (or continue) your journey learning about a fascinating - and local - culture.

and there's even more reading recommendations in honor of Gullah/Geechee Heritage Month on the Library's website. 

Reminder: The Library will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024 for Staff Training. 

Second Reminder: The Beaufort History Museum/ Beaufort County Library Local History series Season 8 kicks off on Tuesday! 

"The History of the Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, 1954 - " with Tricia Kilgore

BHM/BCL Local History Series 8.1A
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior, Road | 2 PM | First come, first seated. Door opens at 1:30 PM

BHM/BCL Local History Series 8.1B
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way | 2 PM | First come, first seated. Door opens at 1:30 PM

BDC as Repository for Donated Records

The BDC exists to acquire, preserve, maintain and make accessible a research collection of permanent value which records the history, culture, and environment of the South Carolina lowcountry wedged between the Combahee and Savannah Rivers. We are stewards who collect, protect and share unique historical materials about local history, Gullah culture, the natural southeastern coastal environment, family history and archaeology in the area now covered by Beaufort County, Hampton County and Jasper County.  

I will hereby argue that: The BDC checks all the boxes necessary to serve as good repository for a local  organization's inactive records - just in case you are part of a local organization that might be looking for a repository. 

• An archival repository is a place where professional archivists and curators care for and preserve historically significant documents. 

I have a BA in History, ML and SL degrees in librarianship, and am a certified archivist - and more than 25 years' experience dealing with and sharing Beaufort District's long and storied history with others. 

The BDC's Library Specialist, Cassandra Knoppel, has a dual undergraduate degree in Historic Preservation and Art History. She is currently going to Library School at USC concentrating on the Archives track. She's gaining technical skills and library and archival experience each and every day. 

The Library Assistant we hope to hire soon will ideally have a working knowledge of local history; be able to show others the rudiments of historical and genealogical research; file materials according to library and archival standards; demonstrate good customer services skills; possess an aptitude for learning library and archival processes, philosophy, and practices; compile unit statistics; and provide local history programs support as needed, and be a good fit for our little team. 

• Archival repositories are frequently found in historical societies, academic institutions, or public libraries whose mission it is to ensure the protection and accessibility of the materials they house.

Our repository happens to be in the Beaufort County Library. Good stewardship of the materials we house in the BDC Research Room is - and always has been - Priority #1 for me. We've been stewards a long time. I'd even go so far as to argue that the Beaufort County Library is the oldest continually operating educational public entity in the three counties - if you take into consideration our origins in the Beaufort Township Library and its predecessor Clover Club library that began in 1892.   

• An archives can provide environmentally secure storage for inactive records. 

BDC has special equipment to maintain archival standards for temperature, humidity and light levels to extend the life of paper records for at least the next 100 years. The roof has hurricane straps reinforced to survive winds up to 150 mph. We have hurricane shutters to protect our office areas and the interior library/archives stacks. Only BDC staff and vetted docents enter the restricted stacks storage area. (I underlined "inactive records" because we are not in the business of storing current records for organizations, businesses, or agencies.) 

• More important, a repository can provide research access to the information in the records, both to members of your organization and to the public, as well as safeguard the records by monitoring their handling and use. 

BDC staff have demonstrated thousands of times through the years that our reference collection and research advice is thorough and delivered at the highest level we can given our limited personnel levels and financial resources. We always share information about the resources we may have inside the Research Room to assist customers both internal and external. Customers in the Research Room must register. No one can use the materials in the BDC Research Room without BDC staff being available to provide reference assistance and monitor the use of the records. 

• By placing records in an archival repository, you take an important step toward preserving them and the memories that they contain. 

How to Donate An Organization's Records

Like most archival institutions, the BDC is looking for organization records with long-term value. Documents that best illustrate an organization's mission, policies, and activities are of the highest interest. We seek related groups of materials more often than just individual items - though we sometimes take the individual items for the archives. We desire inactive records rather than records that an organization needs to conduct routine business. As a rule of thumb, we prefer records at least 5 years old or older. Records of defunct organizations can be of particular interest. For example, the BDC holds Beaufort Little Theatre records donated by its final president in 2007. 

If the organization: 

            A) has inactive records that fall within the BDC's collection development policy and

            B) the organization seems open to finding a permanent home for those inactive records,

            C) I offer to discuss what the BDC collects and why, and how the donation process works. 

   

For sake of discussion, let's say that an organization decides to donate its inactive records to the BDC for permanent care. Now the ball is in the BDC's court. The speed at which the following steps occur is ultimately dependent on staff skill sets and competing commitments (particularly direct customer service, the local history series we coordinate, digital projects, and Library initiatives.)  

• We mutually agree on the transfer date.
• We sign the deed of gift conveying ownership of and responsibility for the donated materials to the Beaufort County Library, the BDC's parent organization, in perpetuity. 
• Upon receipt of the materials by BDC staff, an accession record is created. 
• The newly acquired archival collection is assessed for processing priority. A variety of criteria weigh into this consideration: topics contained; potential for customer use; completeness; variety of formats included; physical size of collection; how many preservation activities and supplies will be required, etc. 
• BDC staff work on preserving, arranging, and describing the materials.  
• BDC staff prepare a written Finding Aid for the Research Room. 
• The collection is opened to researchers.

It has long been a BDC goal to post all Finding Aids to our archival collections on the BDCBCL: Links, Lists & Finding Aids blog for easier researcher access. Progress has been made - particularly when were a full-time staff of 3 for about 6 weeks earlier this year - but again has slowed down due to staff shortage in the front room and other work obligations.  By the end of October 2024, there will be 42 Finding Aids posted online but there are 71 Finding Aids in the blue notebook in the Research Room and Cassandra is working on the Archives priority list - more slowly than planned due to the staff shortage and our vigorous local history programs schedule - but she is making progress. 

In a very few instances, an archival collection housed in the BDC is prepared for inclusion in the  Lowcountry Digital Library. I never ever promise that an archival collection will be digitized in full when an organization inquires about donating its records. We simply do not have the resources to fulfill such a promise at this time. I always do my utmost to be a woman of my word.

The Society of American Archivists has two documents posted online that may prove helpful to you: 

Donating Your Organization's Records to a Repository

Donating Your Personal or Family Records to a Repository

In the meantime: Please, please do not just drop off your "stuff" in a BCL book return box or at one of the other Library unit's service desk and hope the items make their way to the BDC. Like many things in life, first there's some paperwork.... Provenance and deeds of gift are really, really important for archives integrity. 

If you'd like to discuss donating an organization's records or your personal or family records to the Library's special local history collection and archives unit, reach out to us: bdc@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468.  

Archives Month 2024 Display by Cassandra Knoppel

Cassandra Knoppel is this month's curator of the BDC Research Room display case. My comments are in italics. -- gmc

Happy American Archives Month! It’s that time of year again where archives, special collections, and other cultural heritage institutions celebrate and promote the work of archivists in preserving records of enduring value. In celebration, I have put together a display that answers common questions about our archive and the field in general, expanding on my prior preservation display from April 2024 and hopefully offering some more insight into what we do here at the BDC. 

Shelf 1: What are archives? 

I started us off in the top shelf by defining archives and showing the varying types of materials archives can hold. The Society of American Archivists Dictionary of Archives Terminology has five definitions for the noun Archive, including “a physical or digital collection of historical records.” Archives hold material of current and future historical value including files and documents, rare books, photographs, maps, posters, and so much more. Researchers looking for the answer to a history or genealogy question can stumble upon untold stories hidden in these primary source documents only available in archives.  

The article “Using Archives: A Guide to Effective Research” by Laura Schmidt is a “short-and-sweet” introduction to archives. Schmidt outlines the aspects of archives that make them stand apart from libraries and the different types of archives, while also describing how to find and make use of archives during your research and what to expect during your visit to one. In my opinion, this should be mandatory reading for all researchers and visitors to archives (and I’m not just saying that because it was mandatory reading in my Intro to Archives course!)

The pamphlet “Placing Your Family Papers in an Archival Repository” by the SC State Historical Records Advisory Board is another quick guide that goes into more detail on how archives collect and present historic material. Copies of this pamphlet and the Schmidt article, unlike most of our materials, are available to take home from the BDC. 

Not every archive holds the same materials, nor does it serve the same function. While the BDC is a local history archive serving Beaufort County, other archives collect material related only to state politicians or governmental agencies or have broader scopes by collecting historical materials from across the state. The featured guide, Directory of Historical Records Repositories in South Carolina edited by Jeanette Bergeron (2000) (SC 025.171 DIR), lists some of the many archival repositories in South Carolina including ours at the BCL, and others like MUSC’s Waring Historical Library, the South Carolina Department of Archives and History, University of South Carolina's South Caroliniana Library, and the Catawba Cultural Preservation Project archives. While this is clearly an older and outdated edition, it does serve as a concise overview of the repositories within South Carolina and the current information for each archive can be easily found online. As the SC Archives Month poster from 2007 (SC Poster #200) proclaims, “There are over 100 historical societies, public libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and other locations across the Palmetto State with archival riches to be discovered.” We’re proud to say that the BDC is one of them! 

Shelf 2: What is the Beaufort District Collection? What do you do? 

The Beaufort District Collection (BDC) is the Beaufort County Library’s special local history and archives collection. The purpose of the Beaufort District Collection is to acquire, preserve, maintain and make accessible a research collection of permanent value that records the history of the area of Lowcountry South Carolina known as the old historic Beaufort District. The BDC began as a shelf in the Beaufort Township Library, then became a closet in the 1964 Library building, and by 1992 a South Carolina Room's worth of local history materials on the first floor of the Beaufort Branch Library. (We are still using some of the furnishings that the Beaufort County Historical Society provided back then now.) As the pamphlet from our Vertical File on the BDC shows (yes – we collect archival material on our archive too!), we later became our own department and campaigned to move to our present larger space on the second floor under the careful eye of Grace Cordial, Grand Poo-Bah of the BDC 😊(That you think of me as Grand Poo-Bah makes me smile, Cassi, but in all honesty I think of myself in more regal terms - as the "Queen 👑 of the BDC." BTW: It took me 9 years and 16 days from the initial "ask" for more space to move the BDC to our current quarters. I am a persistent cuss when I believe in a project.)

The BDC now holds almost 250 archival collections related to the history, people, and events of Beaufort County. 

I discussed some of the “behind-the-scenes" work that archivists do in my last display for Preservation Week, but the short story is that BDC staff and volunteers prepare collections for public use through arranging, describing, and preserving collection materials (called processing). We then facilitate that use during reference appointments while also promoting our holdings and sharing local history through programs, displays like this one, brochures, flyers, resource guides, and social media posts. Ways to see and access our collections are described in our BDC brochure and our most recently processed collections are featured in the “What’s New at the BDC” brochure (copies are available outside of our Research Room door). 

Shelf 3: What types of records do you have? How can they help my research? 

The BDC holds a WIDE variety of records of historical value, in both physical and digital formats. A broad list of types of materials that archives hold is posted in the display. A few examples (as depicted in the surrogate versions on the shelf) include photo slides, floppy disks, prints, postcards, photographs and stereoscopes, manuscripts and typed documents. 

Our collection is designed for in-person research, but did you know that you can access some of our resources virtually too? Our new “Virtual BDC” flyer lists all of the ways you can view some of our collections and resource materials from home. (Or you could just join us on October 10th at Port Royal Branch Library for a presentation about the Library's Digital Collections. Just saying.) You can also view some of our archival collection’s finding aids and resource guides on special topic areas on our BDCBCL: Links, Lists, and Finding Aids blog.  

When it comes to research help, we serve many purposes. For example, we often get customers looking to start their family tree research, and although we are NOT a genealogical library, we do have a few tools to help. Looking at census records is a great place to start! The SCDAH’s booklet, Census Records at the Archives (SC 929.1 TUT), is a handy primer available in our Research Room on how to approach Census research and what information can be found within different types of Census schedules. The BDC has SC census records from the years 1790 to 1930 available on microfilm. You can also access census records from Ancestry Library Edition from inside any Beaufort County Library, including here at the BDC (but it is advisable that you give us a heads up that you're coming.)

Shelf 4: How are archives different from libraries or museums? 

And lastly, another important topic to cover is the distinction between archives, libraries, and museums. While each type is designed to hold and present informational material, the scope, method, and manner of maintaining their collections and facilitating access varies between each. The chart adapted from the AASLH “Basics of Archives” course (2008) illustrates the similarities and differences between archives, libraries and museums. One key difference is the types of material they collect; libraries typically collect published material that is available elsewhere, museums collect unique artifacts and objects, while archives - as I discussed before - collect unpublished and unique material (typically not including objects). 

Now is a good time to state that archives often have special rules and policies to safeguard historical materials in our collections, not to burden patrons or prevent research but so that the condition of the items remain stable so people can continue to have access to them for centuries to come. The SCDAH’s booklet, Research in the Archives (SC 929.1 RES), concisely explains the role of the SCDAH, their services and their general holdings, while also outlining some of their access policies. The SCDAH’s policies are similar to those in the BDC - While libraries usually allow unrestricted access to their collections of books and DVDs, so long as you have a library card, archives and museums do restrict access to their collections – they do not allow patrons to walk up and select an item from the shelf to take home for a week. 

I hope that this exhibit gives you a new-found appreciation and understanding of archives and the role they play in our communities and in our exploration of history. As the 2008 South Carolina Archives Month poster (SC Poster #197) states: Archives are “treasure maps to the past” and you never really know what you might find during your visit. Make a research appointment with the BDC to see what YOU can uncover in our archives: bdc@bcgov.net OR 843-255-6468. 

A heads up: The Library system will be closed Monday, October 2024 for Staff Work Day.