BDC Programs & Outreach for March 2020

The program attendance count continues to be strong. We've broken 900, averaging 47 people per program. I'm sure that we will increase that average attendance number with the next programs and outreach events on our calendar. In fact, one of the lectures is already almost completely full! (Our partner opened registration quite early). I refer to the upcoming appearance of Beaufort's beloved Dr. Larry Rowland.

On Thursday, March 12th  he will discuss "Kate Gleason, Libby Sanders, and Beaufort in the 1920s" in the next "Historically Speaking" lecture that we do in conjunction with the Beaufort County Historical Society. Please note: This lecture will happen in the big Meeting Room at St. Helena Branch Library. As with all library related programs, we observe applicable fire codes.  When the number of registrants meets the Fire Marshal limit for occupancy in the room, registration will be closed. Until then, registration is open through the Beaufort County Historical Society's  website: http://bit.ly/38svUNz

Two days later on Saturday, March 14th, we participate in the Beaufort History Museum's  5th Annual Living History Encampment. 

Kristi and/or I will be out on Craven Street at the BDC's table with some surrogates representing our newspaper, 19th century prints and photographic collections along with distributing handouts about the Library's many Civil War and Reconstruction era materials from 10 AM to 1 PM. 

In concert with the Beaufort History Museum and the National Park Service, the BDC hosts two free lectures that date. Both programs are first come, first seated. Doors will open 30 minutes ahead of program start time for seating. 

• 10 AM - NPS Ranger Chris Barr explains why Beaufort District was critical to Reconstruction. 

•  2 PM - Professional storyteller extraordinaire Cora Newcomb will share amazing stories of real women who made a difference in Beaufort District. In addition to mobilizing soup kitchens and relief societies, women also cared for wounded soldiers and were effective spies. It is estimated that 300 women fought on the battlefields, usually disguised as men. This program will focus on those women who were in Beaufort and involved in many different aspects of the war. 

If you go into the Reconstruction Era Interpretative Center be sure to take a careful look at the "Islands of Hope in a Sea of Despair" exhibit. The Library contributed a number of the images shown on the Beaufort History Museum's exhibit that has been loaned to the Reconstruction Era National Park. The NPS center is free of charge.

The BHM is offering a reduced rate for entrance to its museum throughout the day.

The BDC takes to the road again at the end of March. Hilton Head Branch Reference Librarian Jo Gaillard and I will represent the Library system during the "Lowcountry Fair with Historical Flair" on the Coastal Discovery Museum's campus on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Please drop by to say "Hello" or to ask about any of the Library's many materials and services.  

A lot of re-enactors and historical groups are scheduled to participate in the Fair. Tickets are available through the Santa Elena History Center website at  https://santa-elena.org/lowcountry-fair-2020/.

Just a reminder: We can be contacted at 843-255-6468 or by email to bdc@bcgov.net with any questions about what the BDC is, has or does.

Reminder: The Civil War is Back This Weekend

Beaufort History Museum will present its third annual Living History Encampment on Saturday, March 24, 2018 from 9 am – 5 pm in the Arsenal courtyard. The Beaufort County Library is a co-sponsor and BDC staff will be on hand to share information about the Civil War and Reconstruction periods with visitors throughout the day. At 1:00 PM, we'll cross the street and head to the Beaufort Branch Meeting Room (311 Scott Street) to host Dr. McKinley's lecture on the industry that saved Beaufort District after the Civil War.

This year, the popular Encampment event will include displays of South Carolina militia from 1860 – 1861 and describe the militia’s role in defending the Port Royal Harbor, and subsequently in defending the mainland against the Federal forces. Also featured will be military impressions of the Union infantry, marine and naval forces that used Beaufort as a base of operations during the Civil War after the Battle of Port Royal Sound on Nov. 7, 1861. In addition, the role of civilian abolitionists and teachers involved in the Port Royal Experiment will be presented, along with the early transitions of Freedmen in this area. 

Activities in the Arsenal will occur on a rotating and continuous basis and re-enactors love to interact with visitors. 
 

As mentioned above, the story of Beaufort District is quite unlike the story in the rest of the South. While much of the South was suffering economic and social collapse in the aftermath of the Civil War, Beaufort prospered in the 1870s and 1880s and into the 1890s on account of the rich deposits of phosphate oar on land as well as along the bottom of some of our waterways. Phosphates were a necessary ingredient in fertilizers. In the 1870s, 50% of the phosphate mined in the United States was mined in South Carolina and 50% of South Carolina's ore was mined in Beaufort County.  

"History of Phosphate Mining" program Sat., March 24 | BDC@ Beaufort Branch Meeting Room, 311 Scott Street, 1st floor| 1 pm First come; first served

Come hear about the industry that saved Beaufort with Dr. Shepherd McKinley, Senior Lecturer at the University of North Carolina Charlotte who will present Stinking Stones and Rocks of Gold: Phosphate, Fertilizer, and Industrialization in Postbellum South Carolina, 2014. Dr. McKinley won the South Carolina Historical Society's George C. Rogers, Jr. award for the best book of South Carolina history in 2013. The University of Florida Press recently released the book in paperback in case you'd like to purchase and get a copy autographed at the conclusion of the program.

Encampment 2017 was a success!

On Friday and Saturday, the Beaufort County Library's Beaufort District Collection participated in the Beaufort History Museum's Second Annual Living History Encampment. In some ways year 2 was even more exciting than our first year. We hope to be included in Year #3!

1) We hosted a great lecture presented by "History Rock Stars" to kick off the encampment. On Friday, March 3rd, a SRO crowd attended the lecture "Beaufort in the Civil War" with Dr. Stephen R. Wise and Dr. Lawrence S. Rowland. The newly remodeled Beaufort Branch Meeting Room is certainly being well used by the BHM/BCL local history series programs. Since September 2016, we've had 658 people attend our BHM/BCL series.(A word to the wise: BHM/BCL programs tend to fill up quickly. Monitor the BHM website to sign up for future programs: www.beauforthistorymuseum.wildapricot.com "Events")

"Beaufort in the Civil War" Lecture BHM/BCL local history series

2) We had more people participate in Library based and staffed activities during the 2017 Encampment.  The Library hosted Union surgeon, Dr. Tooms from 9 am until 4:30 pm. 325 people came to our side of Craven Street to learn about Civil War era medical practices either before or after their visit to the Arsenal for the other Encampment demonstrations. (More images are on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/BDC.BCL)

Soldiers line up for Sick Call. Encampment 2017

We set up a display board of some of our many Civil War related materials.

 

Dr. Tooms brought along his medical bag, medicine, and instruments to treat the ill and wounded.

Dr. Tooms returns to the BDC in two weeks, this time as Mr. Dave Smoot, to tell us all about how Parris Island helped prepare the Marines for World War I. This program on Saturday, March 18, 2017 will begin at 1:00 pm in the Beaufort Branch Meeting Room. 

First come; first seated. Doors open at 12:40 pm.