"Booked and Busy:" August 2025 Display Case by Sydney Whiteside

The Beaufort District Collection is booked and busy for the remainder of this year! July marked the start of a new fiscal year which means that our FY 2026 local history programs are underway. For the month of August and September, the research room display case is going to showcase materials from the collection that relate to the BDC's FY 2026 local history program series and standalone sessions.  

Reminder: This is a tentative line up of upcoming local history programs. Details including dates and times are subject to change. Links to each programs page on the library system calendar will be included throughout this post. We do this to encourage readers to see what other units of the Library system are offering and to remind you to be sure to check the library system calendar for any updates or changes closer to the scheduled date of the program. If you have any questions about upcoming program details, please feel free to call the BDC at (843) 255-6468. 

Without further ado, let's see some of the exciting programs the BDC will be bringing to a library near you! 

Shelf One

In honor of the "In the Eye of the Storm" programs:

The Great Sea Island Storm of 1893 by Bill Marscher (2004) portrays the catastrophic event and aftermath of the Great Sea Island Storm of 1893. More than 1,000 residents drowned and thousands more were left with nothing. Those in the Lowcountry were struggling, especially the Gullah communities across the Sea Islands. With the aid of the American Red Cross, various charities and the efforts of selfless locals, the homes and hearts of the community were slowly restored. This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

Rachel C. Mather, 1832-1903

The Storm Swept Coast of South Carolina by Rachel C. Mather (1894) is a very important part (VIP, if you will) of our collection. Rachel C. Mather was a teacher who volunteered to travel to Beaufort to educate the freedmen of the community. Soon after her arrival, she opened the Mather School, a private institution for formerly enslaved girls. The Storm Swept Coast of South Carolina is a detailed first-hand account of Mather’s time in the Lowcountry during one of its most trying and tribulating times. This specific edition is extremely fragile, so BDC staff will point interested patrons to the available digitized version. The Beaufort County Library partners with the Lowcountry Digital Library in order to digitize materials from the Beaufort District Collection.

Behind these two storm sources are photographs from our digital collection, Beaufort Hurricane of 1893 Photograph Collection, that depict the severity of the storm. Photograph #13 shows the damage done to downtown Beaufort, specifically Bay Street, where trees and debris can be seen in the road. Photograph #22 shows the damage done to the wharves of Beaufort; houses collapsed and drifted into the water.

In 2008, the Beaufort County Historical Society placed an historical marker on Dr. Martin Luther King Drive in Frogmore to honor the lives lost and forever changed. The front of the marker is on exhibit in the display while the back of the marker (not shown in the display) states the following: 

“The storm killed more than 2,000 and left more than 70,000 destitute in coastal S.C. and Ga. Losses in lives and property were most catastrophic among blacks who were former slaves or their descendants. Clara Barton and the American Red Cross launched a massive relief effort, the first after a hurricane in U.S. history. Donations in 1893-94 fed, clothed, and sheltered thousands.”

BDC Manager Grace Cordial has spent many years of her career researching and sharing the details of the Great Sea Island Storm of 1893's impact across Beaufort County. This month, you will have two opportunities to hear her new presentation called "In the Eye of the Storm: Tales from the Great Sea Island Hurricane of 1893.” Less science and statistics; more concentration on survivor accounts. The first session will take place on August 27 at the Hilton Head Branch and the second session will take place on August 28 at the Port Royal Branch.  Be sure to check the Library system calendar for registration details.

In honor of "The History of Bluffton" program:

A Longer Short History of Bluffton, South Carolina and its Environs. No. II by the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society (1988) provides a wonderful overview of the fascinating history of Bluffton, South Carolina. The book begins with an excerpt of a speech given by W. Hunter Saussy about the history of Bluffton and is followed by an excerpt of Janice Hunter Cantrell's article, “The Bluffton Movement,” published in A History of St. Lukes Parish, Beaufort District, South Carolina from the 1700’s to 1860. This title provides a labeled map of numerous historic sites and houses located in Bluffton along with detailed explanations of their relevance to Bluffton history. This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

Beaufort District Collection Vertical Files

A wonderful resource in the Beaufort District Collection is our vertical file system. Grace estimates that we currently have over 2,500 vertical files; we are consistently adding to our artificial files and integrating information to current files. I tend to turn to these files when creating display cases because I never know what fun or interesting tidbit of information I may come across. For example, in the VF SECESSION OAK file, I found a clipping from the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society of the Succession Oak with the Latin saying, “Parves E Glandebus Quercus” which translates to “Tall oaks from tiny acorns grow.” 

To learn more about Bluffton and its rich history, the BDC will be hosting Bluffton native Michael Reynolds for a “History of Bluffton” program at the Bluffton Branch! 

Shelf Two.

In honor of "What the Heck Is It?" program:

Down & Dirty: Archaeology of the South Carolina Lowcountry by Michael Patrick Hendrix (2006) takes the reader on a journey through more than fifty thousand years of archaeological history beginning with the very first inhabitants of Charleston. After noticing that the majority of archaeologists only write for other archaeologists, Hendrix set out on a mission to create a unique archaeological history of Charleston that almost anyone could comprehend. Full of amazing artifacts and photographs, this title proves the importance of preserving history and how "knowledge of our past illuminates out future" - Michael Patrick Hendrix. This title is available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

The Hilton Head Island Archaeology Society of South Carolina will be bringing their program, “What the Heck Is It? Archaeology Identification Process,” to the Hilton Head Branch Library. We’ll have some of South Carolina’s finest professional archeologists - State Archaeologist Dr. Jon Leader and Brockington & Associates archaeologists Dr. Eric Poplin – on hand to analyze, identify and date your artifacts. And better yet - Attendees can bring their own artifacts to be identified for free! 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.

In honor of the BDC's new partnership with the Friends of Fort Fremont organization:

Fort Fremont: A Beaufort County Treasure (2018) by Beaufort County Library's own, Dennis Adams, is an organized and comprehensive overview of Fort Fremont. From basics such as when the fort was built and various facts about the fort, to ghost stories of Land's End, anyone looking to learn more about Fort Fremont should take a look at this title. This title is a BDC exclusive, please see the end of this post for details on how to schedule an appointment.

Fort Fremont, St. Helena Island, S.C. by Craig M. Bennett, Jr. (2007). The BDC houses three different discs that contain photos of three historians exploring the ruins of Fort Fremont in 2007. The discs have a combined total of 380 photographic images, though many of them seem to be repeats. Although this is not a very visually pleasing piece, it’s important to include this piece as a reminder that the BDC collects all different forms of media, not just books. This title is a BDC exclusive, please see the end of this post for details on how to schedule an appointment.

From VF FORT FREMONT, I came across a quote from local historian, Gerhard Spieler, in which he discussed the significance of the fort in his column published in the Beaufort Gazette (which the BDC has available from 1903-2015 on microfilm!): 

“Even if the fort never fired a shot in any war, this is historic ground: first explored by the Spanish in 1520, settled by the French in 1562, taken possession by the English in 1670, fought over by soldiers of the North and South in 1861 and highly cherished by South Carolinians...” - Gerhard Spieler, Beaufort Gazette, 22 November 1972, p. 8A.

Historical roster and itinerary of South Carolina volunteer troops who served in the late War between the United States and Spain, 1898: coupled with brief sketches of their movements from the beginning to the ending of the conflict was compiled and published by J.W. Floyd, adjutant and inspector general (1901). For those interested in learning more about the Spanish-American War, J.W. Floyd compiled details of every South Carolina Volunteer Troop along with sketches of their movements. The details include the soldiers’ name, age, place of residence and occupation, date of enrollment, date they mustered and the name of the company they served in. These characteristics combined with the detailed accounts of troop maneuvers can create a cohesive concept for readers. This title is available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

The BDC will be teaming up with the Friends of Fort Fremont to bring you the program “The Spanish-American War 1898: Context, Causes, Combat, and Consequences” with presenters George B. Forsythe, Ph.D., BG, US Army (retired) and Raul Galvan, Ph.D. We're also planning to have a booth at their Fall Festival on Sunday, November 2, 2025.

Shelf Three.

In honor of a visit from an 18th century time traveler:

Recipe Book of Eliza Lucas Pinckney by Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1756) is a publication of Eliza’s own recipe book, with more than just recipes for food. In this book you will find aids for all ailments including watery eyes, gout, sore throat, tooth aches, jaundice, and so much more. You can also learn how Eliza polished her furniture, helped her hair to grow, and how she was able to recover veal once it had gone sour. Naturally, you will also find recipes for edible items such as mince “pyes”, mushroom “catchup”, and oyster “soop”. This title is a BDC exclusive, please see the end of this post for details on how to schedule an appointment.

Peggy Picket as Eliza Lucas Pinckney

Eliza Lucas Pinckney: Colonial Plantation Manager and Mother of American Patriots, 1722-1793 by Margaret F. Pickett (2016). In the words of the author: Eliza was "a quintessential 18th century woman and everything she did was within the scope of what society at that time considered appropriate for a woman of her class. [This is] a documented study of the life of a very remarkable woman and the 18th-century world she inhabited." The book covers her early years in Antiqua, the time Eliza was left to run three plantations on her own in a strange new land, the innovations her education in botany and inquisitive mind produced with regard to indigo marketing, and overseeing her Patriot sons' plantations during the American Revolution. She died in Philadelphia in 1793. President George Washington volunteered as a pall-bearer at her funeral. This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

The BDC is thrilled to be hosting experienced historical interpreter and author Peggy Pickett for her “Eliza Lucas Pinckney's Revolutionary War” program for a second time this year; this time at the Bluffton Branch in October!  

In honor of Archives Month:

The BDC's beloved Cassandra Knoppel will be providing an update to her “Adventures in Archives” series. This will be Cassandra's third program about the challenges of processing archival collections here in the BDC. Earlier this year she described the “Process of Processing” archival collections through four (sometimes not so simple) steps: 

1. Evaluate the Potential New Collection  
2. Accession and Make a Plan  
3. Arrange and Rehouse Materials  
4. Describe the collection in a "Finding Aid" to be made available to researchers 

One of Cassandra’s more recent processed collections is the John Staelin and Elizabeth Locke Collection, circa 1976, circa 2021, undated. After completing the first three steps of processing, Cassandra will then focus on describing the collection in a finding aid. The front page includes basic information on the collection such as its volume, processor, provenance, and citation and copyright details. The remainder of the finding aid will describe the context and scope of the materials so that researchers can develop an understanding of the collection and determine whether the contents are relevant to their research.

JSYK: Finding aids are posted to the BDC’s WordPress blog and added to the “Archival Finding Aids” binder in our Research Room. Sometimes Grace highlights an archival collection on the BDC’s Facebook page in the“Finding Aid Friday” series. 

Speaking of Grace and archival collections: BDC manager, Grace Cordial, will be haunting the Beaufort Branch Library with her program, “Tales from the Crypt: Death in the Archives,” in which she will dive into the library’s special collection and archives unit documents through obituaries, cemetery records, and more! 

Shelf Four

In honor of our Nation's 250th Birthday:

South Carolina and the American Revolution: A Battlefield History by John W. Gordon (2003). Did you know that historians estimate that about one third of all combat acts (battles, skirmishes, etc.) of the American Revolution occurred in South Carolina? Many encounters occurred in the years between 1775 and 1783 among Patriots, militia units, Native Americans, British regulars, Tories (or Loyalists) and the Continental troops. South Carolina and the American Revolution: A Battlefield History walks the reader through the documented battles that took place in the Palmetto State during this time and how the state's efforts facilitated America's independence from Great Britain. This title is also available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

In honor of our country’s Semiquincentennial, you will have multiple chances to learn more about Beaufort’s role in the American Revolution. Beaufort County's Emergency Management Division head and independent historian Neil Baxley will be presenting his program “The American Revolution in Beaufort District” at the Beaufort Branch Library. Richard Thomas, lead of Beaufort County's 250th Committee, will be presenting his program, “The Role of the Beaufort Militia in the Revolutionary War,” at the Bluffton Branch Library.  

In honor of our next Author Book Talk:

Hunting Island Lighthouse, Beaufort, SC, c1890

Up Here: The Hunting Island Lighthouse and its Lightkeepers by Theodore J. Panayotoff (2024) shares the history of the Hunting Island Lighthouse. From its creation in 1859, to its demolition during the Civil War, and its rebuilding in 1873; this iconic historic site has lived many lives and remains a symbol of hope in and around the community. This title is available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

Celebrate National Lighthouse Day by hearing from the expert and author himself, Ted Panayotoff, on August 7 at the St. Helena Branch! Grace says: "Given that the renovation of the actual structure continues, attending our local history program is the next best thing to a visit to the lighthouse itself - and climbing all those stairs to the top! (Though the view is wonderful).You really should climb it when the lighthouse re-opens for visitors."

Our digital Russell J. Arnsberger Postcard Collection contains multiple photos and postcards of the Hunting Island Lighthouse, two of which are included in the display and another which is included in this post.

In honor of our longest running program series with the Beaufort History Museum:

The Life of Isaac Ingalls Stevens by Hazard Stevens (1900) is exactly what it sounds like: a biography of Union General Isaac Stevens' life written by his son, Hazard Stevens. General Stevens served his country for a total of sixteen years. One of his most memorable accomplishments was the Battle of Port Royal Ferry in 1862. The BDC holds many materials related to this significant battle, including a vertical file, multiple titles recounting the events, and even a few published prints depicting the battle, which are pinned to the back of the display. This title is available for checkout through the Beaufort County Library System.

Tom Vaselopulos, historian and veteran re-enactor, will be presenting his program on General Issac Stevens and the 79th New York Highlanders in Port Royal during the War. This program will be the opening of season 9 of the joint Beaufort History Museum-Beaufort County Library series coordinated by the Beaufort District Collection.

-

I hope you have enjoyed learning about all of the Beaufort District Collection's upcoming programs and partnerships. If any of the mentioned topics were of interest to you, be sure to mark your calendars to catch the program! But remember, all dates and times are tentative, so be sure to check the Beaufort County Library System's Events Calendar for updates.

If you are interested in any of the materials we have shared today, or wish to explore our collection for yourself, appointments are encouraged. To make an appointment, send an email to bdc@bcgov.net or give us a call at 843-255-6468. We hope to hear from you soon!