Coming up in March 2026

March 2026 is chock-a-block for the BDC. 

We encourage all our readers to participate in the Library system's Strategic Plan survey. Given that the survey closes on March 10, please do so today. If you choose to participate, you will see that there are a few questions that allow you to reflect on your opinion about services, materials and programs from the BDC as the Library's special local history collection and archives unit - and what materials, services, and programs you'd like to see the Library system provide by 2029. Take a screen shot of the Survey QR code or visit this link to participate. 

The BDC has four local history programs on the schedule: 

Friday, March 6, 2026 - "Reminiscences as Reclamations: Reading Susie King Taylor and Elizabeth Hyde Botume in Conversation" with Dr. Mollie Barnes | Co-sponsored by the BDC and the Beaufort County Historical Society | Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, 11 AM | First come; first seated. Doors open at 10:30 AM.

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - "History of Hunting Island State Park" with Ranger Rachel Dunn | Co-sponsored by the BDC and the Beaufort History Museum | St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior Road, 2 PM | First come; first seated. Doors open at 1:30 PM. 

Breaking news! Saturday, March 14, 2026 - “The Ritter and Moorehead 1930s Expedition to Beaufort: An early attempt to map and excavate shell rings and midden sites" with John Fisher. | Co-sponsored by the Hilton Head Island Chapter, Archaeological Society of South Carolina | Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road, 2 PM

Thursday, March 26, 2026 - "Loyal to the End: The Loyalists (or Tories) of Beaufort District" with Katie Epps | Co-sponsored by the Beaufort County Historical Society and the Beaufort County 250th Committee | Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way, 11 AM | First come; first seated. Doors open at 10:30 AM.

We also have outreach events on our March calendar: 

• We will have a table at and I'll be on a panel during the Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era's Fourth Annual Symposium on March 20 and 21 at the USCB Center for the Performing Arts. The theme this year is "Economic Foundations of Freedom." 
• Dr. James Shinn's history class visits the BDC on March 25. 
• BDC staff will be assisting at the Library's inaugural "Pen & Palmetto" event being held on Saturday, March 28 at Bluffton Branch.          

March just so happens to be Women's History Month, National Quilting Month and National Irish Heritage Month. Accordingly, Sydney's BDC display case will highlight Women's History Month though our shelf and decor in the Research Room will definitely be shamrocks and leprechauns. The 2026 theme is a bit tough for the BDC but we'll do our best. We are the stewards of the Sea Island Quilters archival collection and other archival collections created by women or organizations so expect to hear see and hear more about those on Finding Aids Friday on the BDC's Facebook page this month. 

The Library's marketing department chose "Books set in South Carolina" to feature during March. We'll narrow our focus in compliance with the BDC's mission and geographical imperative to highlight some of the BDC titles which are set in Beaufort, Hampton or Jasper Counties on our social media.

We have no scheduled closures during March, but the weather has been a bit unusual for our region since before Christmas. Be sure to check the Library system's website for any information about unscheduled closures. Changes will appear at the top of each page in a red banner.