May is National Historic Preservation Month

Before I forget to mention that May is National Historic Preservation Month:

The SC Department of Archives and History’s 2012 Historic Preservation Month poster “Finding South Carolina’s Hidden Gems” is available online at http://shpo.sc.gov/events/Pages/Presmonth.aspx.  It's not a Beaufort District related house, but it is a fine house nevertheless.  What's particularly helpful is the  guide about how to start researching an historic property which you'll find on page 2!

The National Trust for Historic Preservation suggests that it is always good to "Know the History Around You." From Altamaha, to Charlesfort, to Santa Elena, to Penn Center, to Mitchelville, to Fort Fremont, to the Marine Corps Recruit Training Depot, to Sea Pines development, etc., Beaufort County residents and visitors are blessed to have a long and distinguished history surrounding us all each and every day!

Preservation is knowing the history of your old house, your neighborhood, or the places nearby.
Do you know when your house was built? Or who established your neighborhood? One of the best ways to get involved in preservation is to delve into the history of your community.
Here are a few ideas to get you started exploring the history around you:

• Visit your local library to research historic tax and property records for your house. You might uncover some hidden mysteries, like clues to who the first owners were, subsequent previous occupants, whether changes were made to the original structure, historic maps of the surrounding neighborhood, and even old photos.
• Get in contact with your State Historic Preservation Office. They’ll be able to tell you about local preservation laws that protect the outside of your house, offer assistance in restoring or preserving your home, and provide more information about current preservation projects in your state.
• Visit the National Register of Historic Places, maintained by the National Park Service, to find out about other historic houses, neighborhoods, destinations, and more in your area.

Or, if you’re looking to make a change, buying a historic home is a great way to become a part of your city’s story. (It’s also fun to just browse through our list of historic properties for sale and do a little daydreaming, preservation-style.)
It can be easy to find a personal connection to preservation when you start just by looking around you.




Reminder:  All units of the BCL will be closed Mon., May 28th to observe Memorial Day.