14 October 2025

Relics with Red Rot in the Research Room by Cassandra Knoppel

For those who missed Cassandra's presentation and libation at her program on October 8, 2025... - gmc

In honor of ~spooky season~, we at the BDC wanted to touch on an "archival horror" potentially lurking in our collection, similar to our post on arsenic earlier this summer. This time, we're talking about red rot

An example of red rot from
a book in the BDC's collection. 
Red rot may sound like a fictional disease from Harry Potter, but in truth it is a plague upon 19th-century leather bound books and other historic materials made of leather. According to the Society of American Archivists, red rot is "the process of leather deterioration characterized by orange or reddish powder." Red rot causes the covers of books to decay, often appearing "...at the hinges of the book where the leather flexes" per The Library of Congress. First coating the cover with a fine, red dust, red rot can eventually cause the book's cover to crack and crumble into a powder. The red dust coats any surface it comes into contact with. Archivists who have encountered severe red rot have remarked that their work desks appear to be the scene of a crime, and by the stains on their hands, they are the culprit! Red rot can also cause the remaining leather to be incredibly sensitive to any moisture, resulting in permanent stains on the surface of the book if it becomes damp.

But what causes such a pernicious disease? Well, we aren't entirely sure. We do know that red rot is "most commonly found on vegetable-tanned leathers from the later 1800s and early 1900s" according to the SAA. Given that common thread, it is believed that acids, like sulfuric acid, used during the tanning or dying processes of the 19th century may cause the decay as these acids eat away at the proteins in the leather. 

If this is truly the root of red rot, it would then be considered to be an issue of inherent viceGrace likes to explain inherent vice as the "original sin" of archival materials, but the SAA officially defines it as "the tendency of material to deteriorate due to the essential instability or interaction among components." Basically, the composition of the material itself leads to its eventual demise. Acid is a well-known vice within archival materials; for example, paper, especially newspaper, has lignin which breaks down into acid, and the chemicals within cellulose acetate film break down into the vinegar-smelling acetic acid.

That being said, it is also speculated that red rot is actually caused by the accumulation of pollutants on the leather over the years, resulting in the creation of acids. These pollutants can include high heat and humidity, along with air pollution which contains nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. Either way, it is generally understood that high levels of acid in the leather result in red rot.

Red rot on the spine of two books in the BDC.
Since I was researching the topic, I decided to do a quick study of books from the BDC collection to see if we have any red rot issues. I did a quick scan of our stacks, comparing the spines and covers I saw on our shelves with the examples of red rot from Washington University Library's Identifying Damaged Materials to Send to Preservation guide. I was only able to find a handful of books with red rot (thank heavens!). The items I found had red rot occurring along the spines of the book and a bit at the hinges, if those areas were even still present on the book's cover given the decay. Most of these items already had their problem areas addressed by prior BDC staff, which leads me to my next topic - the treatment of red rot.

Many of you are likely curious about how we can go about curing books of red rot. Unfortunately, there is no real cure as books cannot be restored back to their prior condition once red rot has decayed them. However, there are ways to prevent further damage to the material and to prevent it from potentially damaging other items with its dust. In the BDC, we have treated our items by covering the spines and covers of red-rotted books with polyester dust jackets or storing them in archival book boxes. This is a cheap and easy way to protect our materials as recommended by professional organizations like NEDCC. Wrapping the book in acid-free archival paper is another solution to prevent the powder from coming loose during handling and rubbing off onto other materials.

Another method for treating red rot is to stabilize the material through leather consolidation, though this method is far more hands-on and should really be done by a conservator. Leather consolidation halts the red-rotting process by binding the leather fibers to each other, though it is not a permanent solution. One of the most famous leather consolidation treatments is called the "Red Rot Cocktail." This cocktail was created by CCAHA and combines Klucel-G, SC6000, and other additives to create a gel that can be brushed onto the surface of a leather object. Once it dries, the fibers of the leather will have adhered to each other, slightly darkening the leather but reducing the powdery residue of red rot. You can see an example of the application process of a leather consolidation treatment in Southern Book & Paper's video "Step 9: Consolidating Antique Leather. Book Conservation & Repair."

Beaufort District Collection's Red Rot Mock-tail Recipe

As a special spooky treat for our fellow book-nerds, my husband and I have created a recipe for a "Red Rot Mock-tail." Lauren Clark and Misty Kalkofen created an actually potable Red Rot Cocktail named after the non-consumable preservation treatment, but we wanted to create a more family-friendly version without alcohol for our library patrons. So, this recipe is inspired by the flavors of their recipe and still creates a vibrant red and delicious drink!

Ingredients:

  • 1 qt. bottle of Cherry juice
  • 3-4 oz. of Elderflower syrup (depending on taste)
  • 1 52-oz. bottle of Lemonade
  • 6 12-oz. cans of Sparkling water
To make a large amount (for a party or otherwise), combine the ingredients as listed into a 2-gallon pitcher. If you are making ahead, you can swap out the sparkling water for regular, non-carbonated water. Store in the refrigerator.

For a single serving, the ratio we like best is:
  • 2 oz. lemonade
  • 1 oz. cherry juice
  • .75 oz. to 1 oz. elderflower syrup (depending on taste)
  • Up to 4 oz. of sparkling water (also depending on taste)
Enjoy!

References: 

09 October 2025

Tips for At-Home Preservation of Photographs: An Archives Month Display by Cassandra Knoppel

Happy October, dear friends! 

Fall is finally upon us and so begins the time of year when BDC staff and laypeople have the most in common - bundling up in sweaters, sipping hot tea, spending more time indoors and less time in the sun than is probably recommended by health professionals, and feeding into one's interest in history, death, and the macabre! While normal folks are out picking pumpkins and deciding on costumes for Halloween in October, BDC staff and other archives professionals are celebrating American Archives Month (and Halloween - we have personal lives too, you know!). If you are interested in being even more like us this month, this is the blog post for you!

As part of this year's celebration of American Archives Month, and in a belated nod to last month being Save Your Photos Month, the BDC wanted to share tips with our readers on how to take care of precious photographs at-home. I've designed both a display and a short guide in the form of this post that answers some of the top questions when it comes to photograph preservation. So, let's get started!

Shelf One: An Introduction

First on the shelf is Mary Lynn Ritzenthaler’s Photographs: Archival Care and Management (2006) - our photograph preservation "bible." It is a detailed guide to handling, assessing, and storing photographs for professionals, but anyone curious about archival standards for photographs can benefit from reading it. I often re-read the chapters on identifying types of photographs and the methods for housing each type. The Graphics Atlas, an online resource, and NEDCC's Preservation Leaflets Types of Photographs, parts 1, 2 and 3 are also incredibly helpful when trying to identify old photo types.

Caring for Your Family Treasures: Heritage Preservation (2000) by Jane S. and Richard W. Long, is a handy primer for long-term care of personal artifacts for non-professionals. With chapters on photographs and scrapbooks, this book outlines best practices for preserving and conserving these heirlooms with helpful tips and tricks. The author also points to additional resources for more in-depth study if you are so inclined.

Shelf Two: How should photographs be stored?

Pinned at the top of this shelf are short summaries of best environmental conditions for the safekeeping of photographs. First, it is best to store materials somewhere safe from huge swings in temperature and humidity levels and away from potential sources of water, pest, or UV damage. Attics, basements, sheds, and garages are not safe storage areas because they are often not temperature or humidity controlled, can be pest "hot spots," and are more likely to flood or experience leaks. Instead, find a spot in your home that is climate controlled, off the floor, and not in direct sunlight (to prevent fading due to UV damage) to store your photograph collections. NEDCC's Care of Photographs Preservation Leaflet goes into greater detail on proper storage. 

Next, house your photographs in proper containers. NEDCC also has a Preservation Leaflet on Storage Enclosures for Photographic Materials, but in the display I have a copy of Gaylord Archival's Guide to Collections Care (2016) opened to page 22, showing how materials like photographs can be housed – first in an archival-safe plastic or paper sleeve, then in an acid-free folder within an archival box. That seems fairly straightforward, right? And it is... so long as you have the right paper and plastic sleeves! Sleeves need to be P.A.T. tested and safe for photographs. If they aren't, you risk the surface or emulsion of the photograph adhering to the sleeve or the acid of the sleeve eating away at your photo.

On the shelf are surrogate copies of photos we hold in our collections in a variety of sleeves, showcasing the ideal ways a photo could be archivally stored. Paper sleeves are opaque and help to prevent UV damage, while also being easier to label with pencil. Paper sleeves must be acid- and lignin-free. Plastic sleeves are more transparent, which allows for clear identification and viewing of the photo without having to remove the item from the sleeve itself. However, you must be very careful when choosing plastic sleeves that you are using the right plastics. Gaylord Archival has a helpful infographic, Know Your Archival Plastics, that breaks down the safe and unsafe options. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) sleeves are the most commonly offered sleeves - usually as three-ring sheet protectors or scrapbook sleeves, but PVC sleeves are not safe for long-term storage of photographs (even if the box of sleeves says archival!). PVC degrades and off-gasses chemicals than can damage and degrade the materials housed within it, so PVC is never recommended for storing archival materials.

Instead, polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene sleeves are the safe choices for plastic sleeves. Polyester, also called Mylar, is considered the best as it is the clearest and most rigid option, but it is more expensive than the less clear and rigid polypropylene. Polyethylene sleeves are also a good option, although they are more opaque and flimsy.

Shelf Three: How should photographs be handled?

This shelf prominently displays two pairs of gloves. Why? Well, archival standards dictate that gloves be worn when handling photos to prevent oils from our hands sticking to the photo's surface and causing damage. Gloves aren't required for use with paper-based materials like books and documents, but photographs are more sensitive to damage from oils and dirt.

The stereotype of an archivist or museum curator is that of someone wearing a cardigan, loafers, and white cotton gloves. However, white cotton gloves are no longer the industry standard, at least where photographs are concerned. Cloth gloves were the standard due to their availability and cost effectiveness; these types of gloves are washable and reuseable. However, they can pick up dirt and dust from surfaces or absorb moisture and oils from our hands and transfer them to materials. Cotton gloves are often loose fitting, which can create issues with grip, and reduce our tactile sensitivity. The fabric of the gloves can also snag on rough, brittle edges, causing breakage.

Nitrile, latex, and vinyl gloves are now the standard for use with archival materials, especially photographs. They create a moisture barrier, are more close-fitting, are less likely to snag, and don't pick up dirt and dust. In the BDC, we use blue nitrile gloves like those you see on the shelf.
    
Bonus Tip: Labeling photographs

Labeling your photographs is important, as it provides context on who is in the photo along with when and where it was taken for future viewers. However, you should not label your photographs with pen, nor should you write on the front of the image. Instead, label the backs of your photographs preferably along the edges with pencil and light pressure or with acid-free ink so as not to damage the image on the front! We know that this can be hard if there are several or more people in the image. In that case it may be prudent to sleeve the photograph in an acid-free, lignin-free envelope so that you can record the identities of the people and details of the event and/or date of the photograph. 

Shelf Four: What if my photograph is damaged?

In our hot and humid, and hurricane-prone climate, water damage is not uncommon for collections. NEDCC has a helpful guide on how you can salvage wet photographs and dry them safely so that they can be preserved. The CCAHA also has a very thorough article on the topic, too.

With photograph collections, we've seen water damage lead to photographs sticking to each other. Included on the shelf in my display is a sheet that discusses how one can try to separate photographs that are stuck together, originally written by University Products for Preservation Week. The process discussed in this handout was highlighted in a previous Connections Blog post that Grace wrote: Preservation Q & A on Smithsonian Institution Archives Blog. That being said, the method is not actually recommended by the Smithsonian or other conservators as re-wetting the photographs risks separating the image from its back, ink running, mold, and other issues. Instead, there is not much that can be done for stuck photographs.

Another not-recommended remedial issue is tape. Using tape to mend torn documents is fairly typical for non-archivists, but in the archives, the use of tape is highly discouraged. The adhesives in tape are acidic and can stain and otherwise damage the material they are stuck to. Eventually, the adhesive gives way, leaving only the residue behind and you're back to having a torn and separated item again. Instead of using tape, house the parts of the photograph together in an archival sleeve in a position as close to the original arrangement as possible.

That being said, it is important to remember that prevention and preservation are much easier (and cheaper) than remediation and restoration!


I hope you all enjoyed this discussion on photographic preservation, and I hope even more that some of you will feel encouraged to don an "archivist costume" for Halloween and try out these tips!


References: 

Northeast Document Conservation Center, 5.3 Care of Photographs(2007, revised 2019). 

Library of Congress, Care, Handling and Storage of Photographs, (2002).


Photo Managers, Save Your Photos Month 2025 (2025). Tip: You may want to check out the organization's YouTube Channel for informative videos.  


Gaylord Archival, For the Glove of Preservation (n.d., accessed 9 October 2025).

Gaylord Archival, We Need to Talk About Tape (n.d., accessed 9 October 2025).

Gabriel Dunn (The Strong National Museum of Play), To Glove or Not to Glove: Wearing Gloves for Collections (2023).

Amy Sampson (The National Archives UK), Handling Historical Collections: The Gloves are Still Off (2023).

Cathleen A. Baker and Randy Silverman, Misperceptions about White Gloves. In International Preservation News, No. 37 (Dec. 2005).

Smithsonian Institution Archives, Separating photos that are stuck together (2011).

08 October 2025

Hispanic Heritage of Beaufort District

A century before the Mayflower made its Plymouth Rock landfall, Spaniards were plying our coastal waters. "Santa Elena", or its English derivation of "Saint Helena", is America's third oldest European place name in continuous use. Beaufort District drove European strategic thinking about the New World during America's first European century on account of the importance of the Santa Elena settlement and as the launching base for the Juan Pardo Expeditions into the southeastern interior.

In the shadow of Columbus and predating Jamestown by almost 90 years, you'll find "Santa Elena" on rare Italian, Spanish, and French charts from the 15th and 16th Century.  Look as hard as you want, but you will not find Boston, New York, Charleston, or Saint Augustine ... but you will see Santa Elena  prominently annotated. In other words, Beaufort District has one of the longest Spanish histories in North America. We created a bibliography about the "Spanish Heritage of Beaufort District" to help you learn more about this area's earliest European colonial period, the 16th century.

Among the Hispanic Heritage related materials mentioned in the bibliography are:

The European Struggle to Settle North America: Colonizing Attempts by England, France and Spain by Margaret Pickett and Dwayne Pickett examines why St. Augustine, Jamestown and Quebec succeeded while Santa Elena, among others, failed. 

Windows on the Atlantic: The Rise and Fall of Santa Elena, South Carolina's Spanish City by Lawrence S. Rowland explores the European rivalry in our area.   

By far the longest Beaufort County Historical Society Paper is BCHS #3 that covers "Spanish Explorations & Settlements" by Ruby C. Danner (1942). In fact, the narrative and notes are 78 leaves, followed by 5 appendices of supplemental information. Most of the BCHS Papers run between 20 and 30 pages in length.

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.

The BDC has a copy of the revised edition of The Juan Pardo Expeditions: Explorations of the Carolinas and Tennessee, 1566-1568 by Charles M. Hudson (2005), too.

Leland Ferguson identifies the "first underground railroad" for escaped slaves as a route from South Carolina, across Georgia, to Florida for Spanish protection. In 1738 the Spanish governor gave land near St. Augustine to self-emancipated slaves. They created a town and fort, "Gracia Real de Santa Teresa de Mose" - more commonly called "Mose" or "Fort Mose" to live in. BTW: "Mose" is a two syllable word pronounced MOH-Say. Read more in Ferguson's book Uncommon Ground: Archaeology and Early African America, 1650 - 1800. It's available in the BDC as well as other units of the BCL and SCLENDS.

I wrote "Spaniards (and one Cuban) in Beaufort District, 1521 - 1920" to discuss immigration of people from Spain and its Cuban colony into Beaufort District, particularly during the years 1850 - 1920. [All the links were active on 29 September 2025].

The final days of the Spanish Empire happened during the short war with Spain for Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Philippines in 1898. Historical roster and itinerary of South Carolina volunteer troops who served in the late War between the United States and Spain, 1898: coupled with brief sketches of their movements from the beginning to the ending of the conflict was compiled and published by J.W. Floyd, adjutant and inspector general (1901). For those interested in learning more about the Spanish-American War, J.W. Floyd compiled details of every South Carolina Volunteer Troop along with sketches of their movements. The details include the soldiers name, age, place of residence and occupation, date of enrollment, date they mustered and the name of the company they served in. These characteristics combined with the detailed accounts of troop maneuvers can create a cohesive concept for readersThis title is available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

There are some local traditional uses Spanish moss by Gullah people. 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." According to Gullah tradition, Spanish Moss tea can help lower blood pressure while Spanish Moss can wrap around the sprains or be mixed with clay and vinegar to help mend injured joints. (p. 74)

We have some vertical files related to Central and South Americans moving to Beaufort County and the effects of that immigration from the 1990s into the 2000s:

VF HISPANIC COMMUNITY

VF SCHOOLS - HISPANIC STUDENTS

VF ACERCAMIENTO HISPANO DE CAROLINA del SUR

VF BEAUFORT COUNTY LIBRARY - LIBRARY LATIN AMERICAN COUNCIL FOCUS GROUP

VF 1430 AM "RADIO SOL"

          VF MIGRANT WORKERS

          VF BELMAN, FRANCISCO (1987-2002)

We also have some back issues of the La Isla magazine to share inside the Research Room.

05 October 2025

Re-cap of Facebook Posts during September 2025

Below are the BDC's Facebook posts from September 2025. As per usual I will delete references to local history programs that have already occurred. - gmc

September 29 Today I celebrate a monumental shift - both physically and figuratively. 15 years ago today the Beaufort District Collection moved into its quarters on the 2nd floor of the Library building at 311 Scott Street tripling our collections storage space and getting dedicated public service and work areas. Making that happen remains the crowning achievement of my career. You can read more about the ins-and-outs of that long process and all those who helped make the move possible in "Connections."

September 28 - "This week in the BDC" we begin our celebrations with the 15th anniversary of the BDC's relocation to the 2nd floor on Monday; on Wednesday we switch to the themes of archives, archaeology, ancestors and Gullah Geechee culture. On Saturday, October 4th, we head over to Hilton Head Branch to co-sponsor "What the Heck Is It?" with the Hilton Head Chapter of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina. You've only got a few more days to gather up your artifacts for our esteemed archaeologists to assess.

September 27 - The Library's Donner Digital Collection has lots of hunting and fishing photographs from the turn of the 20th century. Take a look to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with the BDC! (Many thanks to our long partnership with the Lowcountry Digital Library who host some of our digital offerings.)

September 26 -
"Finding Aid Friday" - Today I feature the "Hurricanes Scrapbook" Finding Aid that Cassandra recently revised and uploaded. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings and photographs documenting hurricanes in the Beaufort area as reported during the 1950s but mostly focuses on Hurricane Gracie of 1959 - the 66th anniversary of which is coming up on Monday (as is the 15th anniversary of the relocation of the BDC to our present quarters on the 2nd floor).
To minimize handling and therefore better preserve the scrapbook, Amanda Forbes scanned the pages into PastPerfect software. We'll be happy to show you the digital version available in our Research Room: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468. Fingers crossed that we get through the rest of Hurricane season unscathed.

September 25 - Graphic novels are a distinct form of storytelling that blend sequential art with complex narratives, often extending beyond the scope of traditional comic books. While there are a lot of superhero comic books, sometimes the format is used to tell the story of real-life heroes. We have 2 such real-life hero comic books in the Research Room that one can view to celebrate National Comic Book Day. Both are about Robert Smalls. (Shout out to Pawtucket Public Library for the great logo.)


September 24 - "Black History Note:" William Pollitzer's The Gullah People and Their African Heritage presents a wealth of data on blood composition, bone structure, disease, and other biological factors. This research not only underscores ongoing health challenges to the Gullah people but also helps to highlight their complex ties to various African peoples. This landmark volume tells a multifaceted story of this venerable society, emphasizing its roots in Africa, its unique imprint on America, and current threats to its survival. We have multiple copies to share through the Local History sections at the Branch Libraries.
As an aside: Did you know that you can borrow blood pressure monitoring kits from the branch libraries?

September 23 - Honor National Hispanic Heritage Month with the short but informative Window on the Atlantic: The Rise and Fall of Santa Elena by Dr. Larry Rowland. It's the perfect introduction to the beginnings of the Hispanic heritage of this area. Of course, the BDC has a permanent copy but there are also multiple copies to check out from the Beaufort County Library's branch libraries.

September 22 - Today's "Uniquely BDC" selection is unique as it is the first alternative history title that I have chosen to add to the Research Room. The Battle of Fort Scarlet: A Strange, Compelling Story in a Forgotten War by Jon Bebbington (2023) tells the story of the made-up place, Fort Scarlet, and a made-up battle there. This fanciful novel is very loosely based on Fort Fremont which was built to serve as a deterrence but saw no action during the brief Spanish American War. Just to be clear: Spanish naval forces did not conduct raids in the Port Royal region in 1898.
September 21 - "This Week in the BDC" we have two local history programs, one tomorrow about the Spanish American War and Fort Fremont at St. Helena Branch Library and another one on Thursday at Beaufort Branch Library about the historic marker program. Like all BDC programs, each is open to anyone over age 12 who is interested in advancing their knowledge and understanding of local history - for free!

September 20 - We hope that you've selected your items to bring to "What The Heck Is It?" for the archaeologists to identify. If not, you still have some time.

September 19 - It's "Talk like a Pirate Day." The many islands and circuitous waterways of the Carolina coast were ideal places for pirates to hide, particularly during the early proprietary years (1670-1700) and at the end of the ‘Golden Age of Piracy’ (1716-1720). Separate myth from fact beginning with our own List of Links and Materials about the "Pirates of the Lowcountry."

September 18 - Mark your calendars: BDC staff live and breathe archives all year long but particularly so in October when it's American Archives Month. We've planned 2 archives related programs this year: Cassandra will share interesting tidbits about the most recent archival collections she's described on October 8th;


Towards the end of October, I will present "Death in the Archives" to cover some of the Research Room materials about how humans mark the universality and inevitability of death.

September 17 - Today's Constitution Day. Given all the political opinions swirling around what it says or doesn't say, today would be the perfect day to read it for yourself and reflect on your personal interpretation of one of the foundational documents in our country's history. Particularly applicable for this "Black History Note" series are the Reconstruction Era amendments, #13, #14, and #15.

September 16 - WASHINGTON, DC— The Institute of Museum and Library Services has released the latest data from its Public Libraries Survey (PLS) for 2023. (Government reports tend to run about 2 years behind the calendar year. ) According to the blurb: "The data for 2023 make clear that public libraries remain one of the most trusted and utilized institutions in American life. With over 800 million visits, millions of programs offered, and a steady rise in both physical and digital circulation, libraries are demonstrating their enduring relevance and reach in communities nationwide." Feel free to nerd out.

September 15 - "Uniquely BDC: Materials Monday": European imperialism impacted this area as nations sought out places where they could exploit natural resources and native peoples, establish influence, and further their own national interests. The Spaniards were the first Europeans to arrive in Port Royal Sound - and learning about them is the perfect way to start your celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

September 14 - Do these bring back any memories? [Cassi digitally covered the last names to protect the identity of our customers.]
A reminder: We're about half-way through Library card sign-up month. Want one of the current BCL cards?

September 12 - "Finding Aid Friday:" Cassandra recently cleaned up and uploaded a Finding Aid to the Susan J. Hazel Rice Diaries. I used some of her entries related to the Great Sea Island Hurricane in my "In the Eye of the Storm" talks at the end of August, too. You're welcomed to make an appointment (bdc@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468) to come read the transcriptions that members of the Clover Club and other BDC beloved docents made of the material through the years. Harriet Rahm edited the transcriptions as her last project for us after many years of volunteer service.

September 11 - Today is a solemn day of remembrance for much of the world. Do you remember where and what you were doing when the world understood that the hijacked airplanes that struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and the one that passengers forced down over Shanksville, Pennsylvania were an orchestrated attack on the United States?
Beaufort Branch Library participated in the September Project gathering personal reflections about what that day meant to some Beaufort residents. On the morning of Saturday September 11, 2004, Fran Hays set up a cassette tape recording station for people from our community to share their memories of the day that our world view was irrevocably altered. Thirteen (13) residents of Beaufort County, of various ages and backgrounds, recorded their recollections of the event and reflections about the consequences to American freedoms that resulted. The recordings were placed in the BDC for permanent retention upon conclusion of the project. Beloved Docent Hugh Folk made transcripts of the oral histories.
The Finding Aid is online in the BDC's WordPress blog. If you would like to come listen to the tapes, please make an appointment to do so: 843-255-6468 or bdc@bcgov.net. If you'd like a transcript of the interviews let us know.

September 10 - "Black History Note:" In 2014 McKissick Museum organized and circulated a traveling exhibit about one the nation's first self-governing villages of freed persons of African descent. You can come to the BDC to read "Dawn of Freedom: The Freedmen's Town of Mitchelville, South Carolina" or you can download a copy from the State Library. BTW: We have every title listed in the bibliography section on page 4.

September 9 - In anticipation of our next BDC Local History Program, today we share an interesting book with a long title about the Spanish American War of 1898. As the photo shows, the book cover has shorted the title significantly [to just South Carolina in the Spanish American War]. The title page title - and for librarians that means the real title is Historical roster and itinerary of South Carolina volunteer troops who served in the late War between the United States and Spain, 1898: coupled with brief sketches of their movements from the beginning to the ending of the conflict. The book was published in 1901.
J.W. Floyd tracked every South Carolina Volunteer Troop and provided sketches of each troop's movements. He includes the soldier’s name, age, place of residence and occupation, date of enrollment, date of muster and company with which he served - which should be a boon to a family historian tracking down a Palmetto State ancestor who saw service during the Spanish American War. The BDC has a reference copy but there are a few copies elsewhere in the SCLENDS consortium that you can borrow.

September 8 - Today's "Uniquely BDC: Materials Monday" relates to the BDC's local history program at Bluffton Branch later this afternoon. We hope that Michael Reynolds' presentation will encourage attendees to learn even more about the village. We posted a list of links and materials about the former Kirk's Bluff on the BDCBCL blog on the WordPress platform awhile back and have kept it updated ever since.

September 7 - "This Week in the BDC" (provided that we have no hurricane scares) : We host Michael Reynolds at Bluffton Branch late tomorrow afternoon. (Notice the unusual time for a BDC Local History program). On Thursday morning, BDC staff will provide an orientation to our facility, collections and services to select Library system staff - which also means no walk-ins will be admitted before Noon on September 11.
For fun: It just so happens to be National Beer Lover's Day. Toast the day by enjoying Mrs. Culp's photo of Miller High Life delivery trucks taken 70 years ago.

September 6 - Enjoy your Read a Book Day today.

September 5 - On this International Day of Charity, I would like highlight one of the Library's nine digital collections: The Storm Swept Coast. Rachel Mather compiled personal accounts of what happened during the Great Sea Island Hurricane in order to raise funds to continue supplying food and clothing to the survivors even after the Red Cross closed down its first hurricane relief effort on June 30, 1894. I used some of the accounts in my "In the Eye of the Hurricane" talks last week.

September 3 - "Black History Note:" A history of the local Woman's Relief Corps is now available on through the BCL's Hoopla subscription as an audiobook. It's short enough that you can listen to it while stuck in traffic.

September 2 - "Monthly Overview for September:" September is Library Card Sign Up Month. If you don't already have one, do consider applying for one as it opens up endless possibilities for all ages. It's the most valuable card of all - and if you're a resident, it's free! On our calendar this month: three public programs; a periodic orientation for new Library staff; a talk at OLLI-Beaufort; and we mark a milestone - 15 years on the 2nd floor.