Programs Coming Your Way in September

The BDC has three public programs on our calendar for September this year. We hope that you'll be able to join us for one or even better both!. 

• Monday, September 8, 2025 - "History of Bluffton" with Michael Reynolds. | BDC@ Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way | 4 PM. 

Program Blurb: The Bluffton History presentation begins with the Native Americans who occupied the area, it then covers the colonial period, the predevelopment period and modern times.  The program showcases Bluffton as was when first settled all the way through through the population explosion of the 21st century through the eyes of one of its native sons, Michael Reynolds.

Please note the start time a later in the day start time and is expected to last a bit longer than is customary for BDC local history programs. This adjustment was made at the Speaker's request. 

Speaker Biography: Michael Reynolds was born and raised in Bluffton and has called Bluffton home for six decades.  He is the founder of the "Bluffton History" Facebook page that has been operating for 15 years and is committed to researching and publishing Bluffton history, showcasing old Bluffton maps and photographs, newspaper articles and recording oral histories of some of Bluffton's senior most citizens.  Michael can trace his Reynolds family in Beaufort County nine generations to the 1690s, over 330 years ago.  His dad was the first person to hold the title of Bluffton Police Chief, which was a part time job back in the 1960's.  Michael's mother's family were some of the Swiss Huguenots who settled Purysburg in 1732. Michael is truly as local as it gets.

• Monday, September 22, 2025 - "Spanish-American War 1898: Context, Causes, Combat and Consequences" with Barney Forsythe, PhD and Raul Galvan, PhD. | Co-sponsored by the Friends of Fort Fremont. | BDC@ St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road | 2 PM. 

Most of us give little thought to the Spanish-American War - and if you think about it at all, you probably think that the war was caused by Spain's sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor and that Teddy Roosevelt led the Rough Riders to victory on San Juan Hill. This program offered in partnership with the Friends of Fort Fremont may cause you to re-think those points.  

Program Blurb: Learn how the United States emerged as a global power at the start of the 20th century, thanks to the "splendid little war of 1898." Presenters George "Barney" Forsythe and Raul Galvan will discuss the United States war with Spain, explore the multiple factors that led to the conflict (not the least of which was Cuba's fight for independence), summarize combat operations, and consider the consequences of the war for all parties. 

Speaker Biographies:

George B. "Barney" Forsythe, a 1970 graduate of West Point, spent 35 years on active duty in the United States Army before returning to the United States Military Academy as a professor and later as Vice Dean for Education. He retired for the first time in 2005 and advanced in rank to Brigadier General. He joined Westminster College in Missouri as Senior Vice President and Dean of Faculty until he was selected President of the college in 2008. He retired again in 2015. Gen. Forsythe currently serves as the President of the Friends of Fort Fremont. 

Dr. Raul Galvan was born in Cuba and came to the United States in 1961. He had a long career at Milwaukee PBS and the Bradley Center and earned his Doctorate in History from UWM in 2011. While in Public TV, he produced many television shows and was nominated for numerous Regional Emmy Awards. He has published numerous articles in scholarly journals, op-eds as well as a youth book, and has traveled to Cuba frequently. He relocated to Beaufort County in 2024. 

• Thursday, September 25, 2025 - "History on a Stick: The Historical Marker Program" with Leah Roche | "Historically Speaking" series, 7.1, co-sponsored by the Beaufort County Historical Society | BDC@ Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street | 11 AM. 

No doubt you've passed by many an installed "History on a Stick" (aka historic marker) in your lifetime. Did you ever wonder where the historical markers you see whizzing past on the highway came from? Come learn about one of the signature activities of the Beaufort County Historical Society in this season 7 opener for the BDC Beaufort County Historical Society "Historically Speaking" local history series. Leah Roche will be the presenter. 

Program Blurb: Though historical markers seem to simply “appear” on the landscape, there is a detailed process involving many people, lots of time, money, and maybe a little “blood, sweat and tears” to earn designation as an official S.C. Historical Marker. Follow the “Life Cycle of the Historical Marker” from its beginning as a simple idea to commemorate an event, place or person of historical significance, through the research process, to state approval, marker fabrication, installation, dedication, and maintenance. Discover how to enjoy the markers all over our county by creating your own Marker Scavenger Hunt, using our geographical lists accompanied by our Google Maps with marker locations. Gain a clear understanding of the fascinating process the Beaufort County Historical Society adheres to, under the auspices of the S.C. Department of Archives and History, as the oldest of many groups who develop these markers countywide. 

Speaker Biography: Leah Roche earned her Bachelor’s degree in Library Leah Roche earned her Bachelor’s degree in Library Science and History from Florida State University, and her Master’s in Library Science from the University of South Carolina. She served as a high school media specialist (school librarian) for 28 yrs at both Beaufort and Bluffton High, and was voted Teacher of the Year at Beaufort High School early in her tenure there. She later was the first media specialist in Beaufort County to earn National Board for Professional Teaching certification. In her role as media specialist, Leah served as webmaster of the school websites at both Beaufort and Bluffton High. 

After retirement, she joined the Beaufort County Historical Society, and helped develop that organization’s current website. She also created the interactive Google map of SC Historical Markers in Beaufort County, so that citizens and visitors alike could locate and visit them. She planned a county-wide “marker scavenger hunt” called “Marker Mania,” which took place during the first summer of COVID, involving over 250 participants. She currently serves as the Recording Secretary and Webmaster for the . Beaufort County Historical Society.

Remember to always check the Library system calendar and the Library's homepage for the latest updates regarding changes to our program and operations schedule. We are solidly in the most active phase of hurricane formation for the next 6 weeks.