BDC Facebook Posts in May 2023

As you may be able to tell below, I am trying to cut back on the number of Facebook posts I research and upload - as a matter of self-preservation. Nevertheless, over the course of May 2023 I uploaded over 32 posts.  My ultimate goal is to reduce that number down to about 15 per month going forward because of staffing constraints. -- Grace Cordial 

May 1, 2023 - May 2023 Overview: We are closing in on the end of the BDC's yearly traditional September - May local history programs cycle. We leave with a bang! Tomorrow is Jackpot with author Jason Ryan at Beaufort Branch. (The program sold out within hours of registration opening. I do so hope that you secured your reserved seat before they were all gone). On Thursday, May 18th, the Chair of the State's 250th Committee is speaking at the Beaufort County Historical Society's Annual Meeting (with the BDC and BC 250th Committee as co-sponsors). Registration for that will open soon. On Wednesday, May 24th, Neil Baxley will reprise "Dueling in Beaufort District" at Bluffton Branch; You may register by calling 843-255-6503 if you want though it is not necessary.

We honor Preservation Week, April 30 - May 6. National Postcard Week runs May 7 - 13th this year.

In between programs, Olivia and I will work with customers, process, preserve and manage local history materials. She will endeavor to finish the BDC inventory in advance of the switch from the Evergreen ILS system to the Sirsi/Dynix ILS Symphony system next month. She is set to complete the work that began in March 2022 with the help of former Technical Services employee Angelina Smith and current Technical Services employee, Darlene Simmons. As of April 5th, we were at 12K items and counting. (Just so you know: The purpose of the inventory is to establish a baseline for my successor in anticipation of retirement. It's a coincidence that the SCLENDS consortium decided to switch ILS systems too.)

I will take a few days off this month but Olivia will be in the Research Room to assist scheduled customers. In accordance with my statements at the first of the year regarding my days out of the office, there will only be 3 Finding Aid Fridays entries and 3 Uniquely BDC Materials Mondays entries in May.

The Library system will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023 for Memorial Day.

Uniquely BDC: Materials Monday

May 1, 2023 - "Materials Monday: Uniquely BDC during Preservation Week:" Today I highlight Olivia's April - May display because so many of the titles on display are held only in the Research Room. Back in 2007 the BDC won a "Connecting to Collections" preservation bookshelf consisting of titles about how to preserve library, archival, and museum materials. Olivia wrote about what she selected from the C2C Bookshelf for the Research Room display case in Connections on April 8th.

May 15, 2023 - "Uniquely BDC:" Today's selection is in honor of the upcoming "Liberty Trail in Beaufort District" presentation. We are the only library in SCLENDS to share The Punishment of Revolutionary War Loyalists in South Carolina by Kathy Roe Coker. Her dissertation addresses what happened to the Crown's supporters in the aftermath of the American Revolution. It used to be customary for dissertations to be photographed page by page and put into microfiche format for library use. Make an appointment to read what happened to the Palmetto State's Tories. We'll be happy to show you how to operate the microfilm/microfiche machine. Call 843-255-6468 or email bdc@bcgov.net to make the necessary arrangements. Cut-and-paste into your browser to check for any remaining seats at "The Liberty Trail in Beaufort District" lecture [No longer active - gmc]

BTW: Kathy Roe Coker was one of my internship supervisors at the SCDAH when I was in graduate school the first time. She went on to be a Department of the Army historian. Her latest books are about WWII POW camps in the states of Virginia and Georgia. I have my fingers crossed that she'll research the South Carolina ones too.

May 22, 2023 - "Materials Monday: Uniquely BDC": Today's post is in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. We have the only copy of The Chinese Christmas Box by Gerald Chan Sieg in the SCLENDS consortium. The author tells a story of her family's Christmas traditions in China and in America. The 12 page booklet is illustrated by calligrapher Han Sun Woo. It is in the BDC Research Room because it was published by the Peacock Press, the private press of local poet Edith Dowling. We try to collect copies of titles published by local presses. The booklet was printed by the Beaufort Gazette in 1970.

Black History Note: Wednesdays

May 3, 2023 - "Black History Note:" Happy birthday in heaven, Laura Towne. Towne came to St. Helena Island as a teacher to the freedmen in 1862 and was a key participant in the "Port Royal Experiment." She dedicated the rest of her life to Penn School. Her work changed the lives of thousands of African American students and their descendants.

May 10, 2023 - "Black History Note:" Food is a critical aspect of human culture. Enjoy some traditional Gullah recipes on this National Shrimp Day. Read one in the Research Room or borrow one from a local history section at the BCL branches. JSYK: I am no foodie. I cook and eat to sustain life. But as a native coastal South Carolinian of the mid-20th century vintage, honestly, the only way that I like shrimp is Carolina caught, breaded and deep-fat fried. I know that it's not a particularly healthy way to eat shrimp but dang! is it good. Tastes like home.

May 17, 2023 - "Black History Note:" Read about the amazing Rollin sisters on the new SCStudy website. Frances would live in Beaufort with her husband, prominent attorney and politician William Whipper, for many years. They are believed to be buried in unmarked graves in the Wesley United Methodist Church yard at the corner of Prince and West Streets. The Wesley United Methodist Church is the oldest Methodist congregation in Beaufort County with roots going all the way back to 1833. It is now a member of the NPS's Reconstruction Era network of historic sites and is featured in the Green Book of South Carolina Travel Guide to African American Cultural Sites website.

May 24, 2023 - "Black History Note:" I was thrilled to receive an electronic copy of the Samuel J. Bush American Legion Post 207's Yearbook for 2021-2022 recently. A print out now resides in our rather extensive vertical files so that we can share it now - and 100 years from now one of my successors will be able to share it with researchers. Thank you, American Legion Post 207! Reminder: All units of the Beaufort County Library including the BDC Research Room will be closed on Monday, May 29, 2023 for Memorial Day.

May 31, 2023 - "Black History Note:" Twenty Dollars and Change: Harriet Tubman and the Ongoing Fight for Racial Justice and Democracy by Clarence Lusane (City Lights Books, 2022) "uses the question of Harriet Tubman vs. Andrew Jackson as a lens through which to view our national's ongoing reckoning with the legacies of slavery and foundational white supremacy." (back cover blurb) So far, the BDC is the only member of the SCLENDS consortium to buy this title. I bought it because of Tubman's extraordinary connection to Beaufort District's history during the Civil War period. (For more about that connection) BTW: This title could also be used for a "Uniquely BDC" Materials Monday.

Finding Aid Fridays

May 12, 2023 - "Finding Aid Friday in National Postcard Week:" Former Library volunteer and deltiologist Russell J. Arnsberger donated his personal collection of local postcards to the Beaufort County Library in advance of his relocation to Florida in 2007. Read the Arnsberger Collection Finding Aid on the BDCBCL WordPress blog - or just enjoy all the recto images on our Arnsberger digital collection hosted by the Lowcountry Digital Library. [Recto is postcard speak for the image side.]

May 19, 2023 - "Finding Aid Friday:" Today I highlight another of the BDC's postcard collections. Rev. Dr. Robert E. H. Peeples, 1918 – 2017, collected over 700 postcards featuring images from over 25 states and 8 foreign nations spanning the years 1910 – 1989. The Finding Aid is posted in the BDC's WordPress blog. The postcards can be viewed in our Research Room by advance appointment: 843-255-6468 ; bdc@bcgov.net

Red Letter Days

May 17, 2023 - "Red Letter Local History Day:" On May 17, 1562, a daring Huguenot sea captain, Jean Ribaut (aka Ribault) landed on Parris Island and established the first French colony in North America. It also happened to be the first Protestant settlement in what would eventually become the United States. Fewer than 30 settlers quickly erected a wooden bastion that they named Charlesfort (1562-1563). The settlement soon fell upon hard times due to inexperience, repercussions from religious strife in England and France, and poor relations with the Native Americans. Despairing of help, most of the Frenchmen set sail for home with little in the way of supplies. The men resorted to cannibalism before they were spotted off the coast of Ireland by an English ship. The Spanish arrived at Parris Island in 1563, found Charlesfort occupied by a lonely Frenchman, and burned the fort to the ground. The Spanish erected their own fort, Santa Elena, three years later within yards of the French bastion. Santa Elena served as the first capital of Spanish Florida from 1566 until 1587. The Charlesfort-Santa Elena historic site on MCRD Parris Island is nationally significant because it illustrates the competition for New World resources between two European colonial powers, France and Spain. And the intrepid Jean Ribaut was a key actor within this story. Read more about him and his settlement in the BDC's WordPress blog.

Just Because

May 4, 2023 - In the course of merging contents from the former vertical files transferred from Hilton Head Branch Library to the BDC (more than a few years ago now), Val discovered a document printed on thermal paper which has an estimated shelf life of about 3 years. Obviously the fact that the thermal document had been stored in an acid-free folder and more or less kept in the dark since being placed therein, had extended its life cycle. Although it was faint, I could see enough to give me hope. A little digital manipulation, a printout on bond paper, and now we have a useful document to leave for present and future BDC customers.

The document created in 2000 was from book publisher Judy Piatkus to author John Maxim of Hilton Head. Content related to book publishing and her personal health issues. Piatkus Books published his title Whistler's Angel referred to in this letter in 2001.

PIATKUS BOOKS was founded in 1979 from the spare bedroom of Judy Piatkus’ home. Over the years, Piatkus became one of the UK’s leading independent publishers of fiction and lifestyle titles. In 2007 it was acquired by Little, Brown where it continues to bring a wonderful range of books to a wide readership

Q: Does the new printout preserve the content of the document on thermal paper? Yes

Q: Is the new printout the original document? No

Q: What happened to the thermal paper document? I'm keeping it for "Show and Tell." It will continue to fade into oblivion as is its nature to do so.

May 7, 2023 - Celebrate National Postcard Week, May 7 - 13, 2023 by viewing postcards from our Arnsberger and Culp digital collections or by making an appointment to view the contents of the BDC's other physical postcard collections. Reach out for an appointment: bdc@bcgov.net ; 843-255-6468.

May 9, 2023 - In the course of doing regular business for an off-site customer in search of obituaries, we discovered that one was missing. Olivia was tasked with going to the microfilm to locate the obituary, printing it out in such a way that it would fit on a 3 X 5 card catalog card, typing the citation, gluing down the printout and filing the re-made card in the appropriate spot in the card catalog drawers. The only thing that "threw" her in this process was using the typewriter. As a Gen Z-er, she was unacquainted with an electric typewriter. She mastered it though - and the obituary card has been returned to the card files. And yes, special collections departments often keep older technologies on purpose. And no, we do not loan the equipment out.

May 16, 2023 - PSA: Even though there doesn't appear to be any specific images related to Beaufort District's history among the 4.5 Million historic images placed online through Smithsonian Open Access, it's super cool. Anyone can download, reuse, and remix these images at any time—for free under the Creative Commons Zero license.

May 22, 2023 - Not all scans are created equal. The guidelines have been tweaked as explained below.

May 23, 2023 - The Research Room is decked out for the upcoming patriotic holidays, Memorial Day (Monday, May 29) and Independence Day (Tuesday, July 4).

May 23, 2023 - Just a reminder that a holiday is coming up. If you want to schedule an appointment for May 30 - June 2, please do so BDC Research Room closing time on Friday, May 26th.

You might like to know a bit about the history of Memorial Day - and if you don't, stop reading. And that's okay. I put the most critical information - the need to set up an appointment in advance - in the first paragraph.

Memorial Day started out as "Decoration Day" on May 30, 1868 to honor the Union's Civil War dead. Decoration Day became a Federal holiday in 1938. Gradually the day became to be referred to as Memorial Day and those honored on May 30th each year was expanded to include all U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. In 1967 the term "Memorial Day" became official. Since 1971, Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. Thus, all units of the Beaufort County Library, including the BDC, will be closed on Monday, May 29th to honor the men and women who have given their lives while on active duty.

May 25, 2023 - Local History Heritage Tourism opportunity: Commemorations of the Combahee Raid by some cultural heritage groups. The National Park Service, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, and the Black Moses Freedom Festival folks are each involved. To learn more about the tours. [Note: These events are over.- gmc] The Library has had a list of materials we share about Harriet Tubman and the Combahee Raid posted on the BDC's WordPress blog since 2014 (and regularly updated - 2014 was by the way was way before the NPS, the GGCHCC and Black Moses Freedom Festival folks came to town). The St. Helena Branch Library has the Combahee River Ferry Historic District exhibit on display during its regular hours of operation. Dr. Edda Fields-Black last presented at the Library in December 2018.

May 26, 2023 - Have a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day holiday. Olivia and I will be back in the office on Tuesday to assist those with scheduled Research Room appointments.

May 30, 2023 - Traditionally May 30 was Decoration Day. Read Ellen Crofut's diary description about the Beaufort celebration of 1890.

Local History Programs Related

May 2, 2023 - Today's the day. We do so hope that you reserved your seat for Jason Ryan's talk about his book, Jackpot before all the seats were gone. PS: I'm going on vacation for a few days immediately afterwards so it might be next week before I can post photos of the day.

May 4, 2023 - Registration for the next "Historically Speaking" local history program is now open on the BCHS website. Sign up today! [This event happened in the past - gmc] Please note: Should there be questions about - or difficulties with - registration, BCHS handles that. Contact links for the BCHS are on their website.

May 11, 2023 - BDC Programs Update: A) One week to "The Liberty Trail in Beaufort District" with the BCHS and the 250th Committee. Here's the rub: The lecture is free for anyone who registers (up to room capacity). However one must be a member of the BCHS to vote in the Annual Business meeting. Check the BCSH website for any remaining seats. [This event happened in the past - gmc] B) Settling matters of honor according to accepted practice was an important part of being a gentleman in the 18th and 19th centuries. The practice involved issuing a challenge to fight another male person of equal social rank according to a prescribed process for an alleged slight or slander to one’s self or family member. Come learn about some of the little known duels held in Beaufort District South Carolina from law enforcement professional and historian Neil Baxley on Wednesday, May 24th. [This event happened in the past - gmc]

May 18, 2023 - We look forward to seeing you at "The Liberty Trail in Beaufort District" at the BCHS Annual Meeting this morning. When I checked last night, we still had seats available. If you're free this morning, come to the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall to learn about how the American Revolution evolved in our area almost 250 years ago.

May 21, 2023 - The BDC takes to the road with a popular local history program. Join us at Bluffton Branch on Wednesday, May 24th for "Dueling in Beaufort District" with Neil Baxley at 11 am. Feel free to join us!

May 24, 2023 - Last call: "Dueling in Beaufort District" with Neil Baxley begins at 11 AM today as a BDC@ Bluffton Branch Library program.

I finally got some images from the Dueling program posted on May 31, 2023.

For the Good of the Whole

May 5, 2023 - Reminder: I'm out of the office today and Monday so there will be no prepared "Finding Aid Friday" nor "Uniquely BDC" posts on May 5th or May 8th. Olivia will be in the Research Room to assist any scheduled researchers.

May 14, 2023 - We handle any incoming requests for appointments during the BDC's regular business hours - which means (usually) Mondays through Fridays, 9 AM to 5 PM but can vary because of the sparcity of staff and the scope of our responsibilities, particularly for local history programming throughout the Library system. A word to the wise: Submit requests at least 3 to 5 days in advance of your proposed visit to have the best chance of getting your preferred date and time.

May 20, 2023 - FYI: I'm working out at Lobeco Branch Library today to help cover the desk and to install an exhibit about the branch's history in advance of their birthday celebration on June 3rd. This means that I won't be in the office on Friday, May 26th and therefore there will be no "Finding Aid Fridays" post on that date.

Upcoming closure of the Library system for Memorial Day 2023 were noted in posts on May 1st; May 18th; May 23rd; May 24th; and May 26th.