Local History Programs and Archives

We had 25 people attend the Bernie Schein Author Book Talk. Folks who came got to see about 50 images from the Lucille Hasell Culp Collection of Beaufort in the 1960s in honor of "American Archives Month."

We are now up to 227 guests at our programs thus far. We hope to continue the momentum with the other programs remaining on our schedule this month.



We kick off the new "Historically Speaking" lecture series with the Beaufort County Historical Society on October 17th with Dr. Stephen Wise about Civil War era photographs of this area. There is no better authority on photographs from the Port Royal Sound region taken during that late unpleasantness. We will explain how you can see even more Civil War era photographs online or make arrangement to see even more in the Civil War related materials we care for in our Research Room.

Please note: Although the lecture begins at Noon, we will open the Meeting Room doors at 11:30 AM on a first come, first seated basis.  If or when we reach room capacity according to the Fire Marshall's limit, access to the lecture will be closed.

We concentrate on the mid-20th century and a personal account of life on Daufuskie Island at the end of October at Hilton Head Branch Library and again in mid-November at Beaufort Branch Library. A memoir is the least objective, most personal form of writing and Jim Alberto has recently penned one about living, learning and teaching on Daufuskie Island beginning in the mid-1970s. We host Alberto in concert with the Pat Conroy Literary Center.

Starting in 1974, Jim Alberto and his wife, Carol, taught school at the Mary Field Elementary School for nine years. Little did they know that Jim's meeting with Pat Conroy in 1973 would play such an important role in their careers.

Alberto was the first teacher who "stuck around" after Pat Conroy's brief tenure at the school.

The Albertos experienced Daufuskie Island life firsthand when they moved out to this South Carolina barrier island to teach the local children. From navigating weekly boat rides to the mainland for groceries to learning to avoid dangerously close encounters with local wildlife, these teachers had no idea how much they would learn from the island and the people who call it home. He spent the rest of his teaching career south of the Broad River.

Emory Campbell, a renowned Beaufort County native son, Gullah cultural historian, and former director of Penn Center, offered this review of Alberto's book:

This fascinating book tells a rare, unvarnished, important story of a committed teacher. Jim Alberto's pivotal experiences while teaching at the two-room school on Daufuskie Island with wife Carol. It is an extraordinary example of courage, caring, and perseverance. From his depiction of the Islands distinct smell in the first chapter to his deep exhale to contentment in the last chapter, Jims detailed account will enthrall readers on every page. 

Registration is free and is now open for both sessions. Guests will get to see some of the BDC's Daufuskie Island and education related treasures at these programs in honor of October's status as "American Archives Month." 

To register for the Alberto's Author Book Talk at Hilton Head Branch Library on 25 October: https://daufuskiedaze1.bpt.me
To register for Alberto's Author Book Talk at Beaufort Branch Library on 15 November: https://daufuskiedaze2.bpt.me