Black History Month 2018

The Beaufort County Library acknowledges Black History Month every year during February. The BDC acknowledges the contribution of the Gullah/Geechee people throughout the year but with particular emphasis during February. On tap this year are two programs that I would like to draw your attention to: a joint BCL/BHM lecture on "Jim Crowism" and a genealogy help session that the BDC's is presenting at St. Helena Branch Library.

First up is "Jim Crowism in Beaufort County" with Andrea Allen on February 6th.

You may recall that Allen did a Harriet Tubman lecture for the partnership in March 2017. Well, she's back! And this time she tackles the unpleasant topic of racism even in this bastion of enlightened race relations, Beaufort County. Allen is a member of the historic Tabernacle Baptist Church in downtown Beaufort where she is a musician for the Senior Choir and serves as Sunday School Superintendent. She retired in 2015 from the Coastal Empire Community Mental Health Center as the Assistant Director for a five-county area, after serving 37 years in the SC Department of Mental Health. She joined the Board of Directors of the Beaufort History Museum in January 2016.

Registration for this program opened January 23, 2018 so we hope that some seats are still available.

Grace Cordial heads over to St. Helena Branch Library on Sat., February 10th to introduce folks to the family history support services provided by the Library. That'll be the first 45-60 minutes.  From Noon to 2 pm, Grace will be available to offer those who want some one-on-one help with using the Library's subscription to Ancestry Library Edition and/or those who want to explore our Online Obituary Index.  Free. There is no need to register.

Drop by our Research Room to see our latest display of special collection materials on the topic of Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, and other key figures in local area African American history. Indeed, while you're here don't pass up the opportunity to view the "Combahee River Historic District" exhibit on loan from the South Carolina Department of Transportation. Doing so will definitely result in a greater appreciation of the landscape during your next trip to Charleston.

Last day 28 February 2018

The Research Room and 2nd Floor lobby  is now open Mondays through Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm.

We're running a daily "Black History Note" on our Facebook page featuring lots of people, places, and activities that help tell the story of the contributions of African-Americans to our local history and culture.

Check out the Library system's calendar for specific programs and events relating to Black History Month.