On the Schedule for October 2023

Lots of programs are on the schedule for October 2023. 

You already know about "Beaufort Before Britain". 

I hitched the BDC's wagon to that of the Hilton Head Chapter, Archaeological Society of South Carolina for a session that I have most enjoy hosting through the years: "What the Heck Is It?" ... and what the heck it is is archaeologists telling you what you have in hand. Drop-in at Bluffton Branch, 120 Palmetto Way, from 1:30 PM - 4 PM with your artifacts and try to stump our esteemed archaeologists, State Archaeologist Dr. Jon Leader and Brockington and Associates' Dr. Eric Poplin.

"What the Heck Is It?: Artifact Identification" is an artifact identification session with professional archeologists who will analyze, identify and date your artifacts. Over the years folks have presented a full range of artifacts – prehistoric, historic, projectile points, ceramic sherds, Civil War crypto devices, African dolls, 1st century lamps, etc. – to name a few. Look around the house and bring in that thing you wonder what the heck it is. 

Note Well: Do not bring any weapons (guns, swords, daggers, etc.) to be examined. It is the policy of the Beaufort County Library not to allow any weapons in the libraries. No monetary valuations will be provided. I am honored that the Hilton Head Chapter, Archaeological Society of South Carolina is allowing me to be a co-sponsor this year.

Note Extra Well: The time we begin has changed by 30 minutes to 1:30 PM. 

The "Plantation Profiles" lectures may be the first time that the Beaufort History Museum and the Beaufort County Historical Society have agreed to help the BDC tri-sponsor a set of lectures. We expect this topic to be very, very popular on both sides of the Broad River. Be sure to register as soon as registration opens. We have very different Fire Marshal capacities so if you can't get into the session at St. Helena Branch Library on the 17th consider attending the session on the 19th at Bluffton Branch where we can seat more audience members. Because we can seat more folks at Bluffton Branch, it will be a first come, first seated event with doors opening to the Meeting Room 30 minutes before program start time at that location. 

Tuesday, October 17, 2023 -- "Plantation Profiles" (Northern Beaufort County) with Kayleigh Vaughn of the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage. St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, 2 PM. Registration opens October 3, 2023 on the Beaufort History Museum website. This program is co-sponsored by the BDC, Beaufort History Museum and the Beaufort County Historical Society.

Thursday, October 19, 2023 -- Reprise of "Plantation Profiles" (Southern Beaufort County) with Kayleigh Vaughn of the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage.  Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way, 11 AM.  Again - This session will be first come, first seated - and with 115 seats available, I think that anyone interested in the topic will be able to attend the session.  Doors will open at 10:30 AM; we will admit folks until we reach 115 people in the Bluffton Branch Large Meeting Room. This program is co-sponsored by the BDC, Beaufort County Historical Society and the Beaufort History Museum. 

About the Presenter: 

A South Carolina native, Kayleigh Vaughn is the Director of Exhibitions and Programs at the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage in Ridgeland, SC. She curates annual and semiannual exhibitions for the museum, as well as develops educational programs and K12 curriculum. A graduate of Lander University, she has always had a passion for history and art. Prior to her current position, she worked for eight years in the Education department at the Columbia Museum of Art, where she managed school tours, educator programs, and docent volunteers.

From 2014-2017, she served and chaired on the Professional Development Committee of the South Carolina Federation of Museums, a committee that organizes the annual statewide museum conference. In 2017-2018, she was the treasurer for the First Thursday on Main Board in Columbia, SC. Currently, she serves on the Palmetto State Arts Education Board as well as the Jasper County Arts Council. In 2020, Morris Center received a Silver Exhibition Award for Beyond the Oaks: Lowcountry Plantations from Southeastern Museums Conference. In 2021, Soul of the South received a Gold Exhibition Award from SEMC.

About the Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage:

The Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage is located in the heart of downtown Ridgeland on US 17, Morris Center for Lowcountry Heritage is a learning and exhibition center dedicated to preserving and cultivating the history, culture and spirit of Ridgeland and its surrounding counties. Housed in a collection of vintage buildings, with the architecturally distinctive Sinclair Service Station as its focal point, the center features ever-changing exhibitions, interactive and dynamic learning opportunities, cultural offerings, storytelling and other forms of art. Website: www.morrisheritagecenter.org. 

Note: Registration for "Kilted Warriors: A Brief History of the New York Highlanders" with Tom Vaselopulos opens on October 20th through the Beaufort History Museum website.