Re-cap of Facebook Posts during September 2025

Below are the BDC's Facebook posts from September 2025. As per usual I will delete references to local history programs that have already occurred. - gmc

September 29 - Today I celebrate a monumental shift - both physically and figuratively. 15 years ago today the Beaufort District Collection moved into its quarters on the 2nd floor of the Library building at 311 Scott Street tripling our collections storage space and getting dedicated public service and work areas. Making that happen remains the crowning achievement of my career. You can read more about the ins-and-outs of that long process and all those who helped make the move possible in "Connections."

September 28 - "This week in the BDC" we begin our celebrations with the 15th anniversary of the BDC's relocation to the 2nd floor on Monday; on Wednesday we switch to the themes of archives, archaeology, ancestors and Gullah Geechee culture. On Saturday, October 4th, we head over to Hilton Head Branch to co-sponsor "What the Heck Is It?" with the Hilton Head Chapter of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina. You've only got a few more days to gather up your artifacts for our esteemed archaeologists to assess.

September 27 - The Library's Donner Digital Collection has lots of hunting and fishing photographs from the turn of the 20th century. Take a look to celebrate National Hunting and Fishing Day with the BDC! (Many thanks to our long partnership with the Lowcountry Digital Library who host some of our digital offerings.)

September 26 - "Finding Aid Friday" - Today I feature the "Hurricanes Scrapbook" Finding Aid that Cassandra recently revised and uploaded. The scrapbook contains newspaper clippings and photographs documenting hurricanes in the Beaufort area as reported during the 1950s but mostly focuses on Hurricane Gracie of 1959 - the 66th anniversary of which is coming up on Monday (as is the 15th anniversary of the relocation of the BDC to our present quarters on the 2nd floor). To minimize handling and therefore better preserve the scrapbook, Amanda Forbes scanned the pages into PastPerfect software. We'll be happy to show you the digital version available in our Research Room: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468. Fingers crossed that we get through the rest of Hurricane season unscathed.

September 25 - Graphic novels are a distinct form of storytelling that blend sequential art with complex narratives, often extending beyond the scope of traditional comic books. While there are a lot of superhero comic books, sometimes the format is used to tell the story of real-life heroes. We have 2 such real-life hero comic books in the Research Room that one can view to celebrate National Comic Book Day. Both are about Robert Smalls. (Shout out to Pawtucket Public Library for the great logo.)

September 24 - "Black History Note:" William Pollitzer's The Gullah People and Their African Heritage presents a wealth of data on blood composition, bone structure, disease, and other biological factors. This research not only underscores ongoing health challenges to the Gullah people but also helps to highlight their complex ties to various African peoples. This landmark volume tells a multifaceted story of this venerable society, emphasizing its roots in Africa, its unique imprint on America, and current threats to its survival. We have multiple copies to share through the Local History sections at the Branch Libraries.

As an aside: Did you know that you can borrow blood pressure monitoring kits from the branch libraries?

September 23 - Honor National Hispanic Heritage Month with the short but informative Window on the Atlantic: The Rise and Fall of Santa Elena by Dr. Larry Rowland. It's the perfect introduction to the beginnings of the Hispanic heritage of this area. Of course, the BDC has a permanent copy but there are also multiple copies to check out from the Beaufort County Library's branch libraries.

September 22 - Today's "Uniquely BDC" selection is unique as it is the first alternative history title that I have chosen to add to the Research Room. The Battle of Fort Scarlet: A Strange, Compelling Story in a Forgotten War by Jon Bebbington (2023) tells the story of the made-up place, Fort Scarlet, and a made-up battle there. This fanciful novel is very loosely based on Fort Fremont which was built to serve as a deterrence but saw no action during the brief Spanish American War. Just to be clear: Spanish naval forces did not conduct raids in the Port Royal region in 1898.

September 21 - "This Week in the BDC" we have two local history programs, one tomorrow about the Spanish American War and Fort Fremont at St. Helena Branch Library and another one on Thursday at Beaufort Branch Library about the historic marker program. Like all BDC programs, each is open to anyone over age 12 who is interested in advancing their knowledge and understanding of local history - for free!

September 20 - We hope that you've selected your items to bring to "What The Heck Is It?" for the archaeologists to identify. If not, you still have some time.

September 19 - It's "Talk like a Pirate Day." The many islands and circuitous waterways of the Carolina coast were ideal places for pirates to hide, particularly during the early proprietary years (1670-1700) and at the end of the ‘Golden Age of Piracy’ (1716-1720). Separate myth from fact beginning with our own List of Links and Materials about the "Pirates of the Lowcountry."

September 18 - Mark your calendars: BDC staff live and breathe archives all year long but particularly so in October when it's American Archives Month. We've planned 2 archives related programs this year: Cassandra will share interesting tidbits about the most recent archival collections she's described on October 8th;

Towards the end of October, I will present "Death in the Archives" to cover some of the Research Room materials about how humans mark the universality and inevitability of death.

September 17 - Today's Constitution Day. Given all the political opinions swirling around what it says or doesn't say, today would be the perfect day to read it for yourself and reflect on your personal interpretation of one of the foundational documents in our country's history. Particularly applicable for this "Black History Note" series are the Reconstruction Era amendments, #13, #14, and #15.

September 16 - WASHINGTON, DC— The Institute of Museum and Library Services has released the latest data from its Public Libraries Survey (PLS) for 2023. (Government reports tend to run about 2 years behind the calendar year. ) According to the blurb: "The data for 2023 make clear that public libraries remain one of the most trusted and utilized institutions in American life. With over 800 million visits, millions of programs offered, and a steady rise in both physical and digital circulation, libraries are demonstrating their enduring relevance and reach in communities nationwide." Feel free to nerd out.

September 15 - "Uniquely BDC: Materials Monday": European imperialism impacted this area as nations sought out places where they could exploit natural resources and native peoples, establish influence, and further their own national interests. The Spaniards were the first Europeans to arrive in Port Royal Sound - and learning about them is the perfect way to start your celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.

September 14 - Do these bring back any memories? [Cassi digitally covered the last names to protect the identity of our customers.] A reminder: We're about half-way through Library card sign-up month. Want one of the current BCL cards?

September 12 - "Finding Aid Friday:" Cassandra recently cleaned up and uploaded a Finding Aid to the Susan J. Hazel Rice Diaries. I used some of her entries related to the Great Sea Island Hurricane in my "In the Eye of the Storm" talks at the end of August, too. You're welcomed to make an appointment (bdc@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468) to come read the transcriptions that members of the Clover Club and other BDC beloved docents made of the material through the years. Harriet Rahm edited the transcriptions as her last project for us after many years of volunteer service.

September 11 - Today is a solemn day of remembrance for much of the world. Do you remember where and what you were doing when the world understood that the hijacked airplanes that struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon, and the one that passengers forced down over Shanksville, Pennsylvania were an orchestrated attack on the United States?

Beaufort Branch Library participated in the September Project gathering personal reflections about what that day meant to some Beaufort residents. On the morning of Saturday September 11, 2004, Fran Hays set up a cassette tape recording station for people from our community to share their memories of the day that our world view was irrevocably altered. Thirteen (13) residents of Beaufort County, of various ages and backgrounds, recorded their recollections of the event and reflections about the consequences to American freedoms that resulted. The recordings were placed in the BDC for permanent retention upon conclusion of the project. Beloved Docent Hugh Folk made transcripts of the oral histories.

The Finding Aid is online in the BDC's WordPress blog. If you would like to come listen to the tapes, please make an appointment to do so: 843-255-6468 or bdc@bcgov.net. If you'd like a transcript of the interviews let us know.

September 10 - "Black History Note:" In 2014 McKissick Museum organized and circulated a traveling exhibit about one the nation's first self-governing villages of freed persons of African descent. You can come to the BDC to read "Dawn of Freedom: The Freedmen's Town of Mitchelville, South Carolina" or you can download a copy from the State Library. BTW: We have every title listed in the bibliography section on page 4.

September 9 - In anticipation of our next BDC Local History Program, today we share an interesting book with a long title about the Spanish American War of 1898. As the photo shows, the book cover has shorted the title significantly [to just South Carolina in the Spanish American War]. The title page title - and for librarians that means the real title is 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. The book was published in 1901. J.W. Floyd tracked every South Carolina Volunteer Troop and provided sketches of each troop's movements. He includes the soldier’s name, age, place of residence and occupation, date of enrollment, date of muster and company with which he served - which should be a boon to a family historian tracking down a Palmetto State ancestor who saw service during the Spanish American War. The BDC has a reference copy but there are a few copies elsewhere in the SCLENDS consortium that you can borrow.

September 8 - Today's "Uniquely BDC: Materials Monday" relates to the BDC's local history program at Bluffton Branch later this afternoon. We hope that Michael Reynolds' presentation will encourage attendees to learn even more about the village. We posted a list of links and materials about the former Kirk's Bluff on the BDCBCL blog on the WordPress platform awhile back and have kept it updated ever since.

September 7 - "This Week in the BDC" (provided that we have no hurricane scares) : We host Michael Reynolds at Bluffton Branch late tomorrow afternoon. (Notice the unusual time for a BDC Local History program). On Thursday morning, BDC staff will provide an orientation to our facility, collections and services to select Library system staff - which also means no walk-ins will be admitted before Noon on September 11.

For fun: It just so happens to be National Beer Lover's Day. Toast the day by enjoying Mrs. Culp's photo of Miller High Life delivery trucks taken 70 years ago.

September 6 - Enjoy your Read a Book Day today.

September 5 - On this International Day of Charity, I would like highlight one of the Library's nine digital collections: The Storm Swept Coast. Rachel Mather compiled personal accounts of what happened during the Great Sea Island Hurricane in order to raise funds to continue supplying food and clothing to the survivors even after the Red Cross closed down its first hurricane relief effort on June 30, 1894. I used some of the accounts in my "In the Eye of the Hurricane" talks last week.

September 3 - "Black History Note:" A history of the local Woman's Relief Corps is now available on through the BCL's Hoopla subscription as an audiobook. It's short enough that you can listen to it while stuck in traffic.

September 2 - "Monthly Overview for September:" September is Library Card Sign Up Month. If you don't already have one, do consider applying for one as it opens up endless possibilities for all ages. It's the most valuable card of all - and if you're a resident, it's free! On our calendar this month: three public programs; a periodic orientation for new Library staff; a talk at OLLI-Beaufort; and we mark a milestone - 15 years on the 2nd floor.