SCHS Pollitzer Family Exhibit on Display Now

Even though the Research Room had some schedule adjustments earlier in July and plenty of schedule adjustments coming up in August, access to "The Pollitzer Family" exhibit is unaffected. Visit the 2nd floor Gallery in the Library building at 311 Scott Street weekdays, Mondays - Fridays, 9 am to 5 pm to learn about the history and effect this influential Lowcountry family had on local, state, and national political, educational, philanthropic, and business affairs. (The Research Room doesn't have to be open for you to enjoy the exhibit). The exhibit ends August 31, 2016.

The South Carolina Historical Society created the panels to highlight their Anita Pollitzer Papers. We added surrogates of some of our materials about the Beaufort Branch of the Pollitzer Family onto the black display board to flesh out the Beaufort branch of the family.

Fleeing the political uncertainty in Austria in 1845, Jewish immigrant Moritz Pollitzer settled for a few years in New York. When the Civil War broke out, he saw an opportunity to better his young family's circumstances and headed to Port Royal, South Carolina. 

Courtesy of South Carolina Historical Society

His wife, Anna Kuh Pollitzer, and children Gustavus, Henry Charles, Richard Moritz, Sigusmund, and Julia arrived in Beaufort in 1864. Henry Charles (called "Hal") is the sire of the Beaufort Branch; Gustave, the Charleston Branch; and Sigismund, the New York Branch of Moritz's descendants. Richard and Julia did not marry. 

Moritz was a successful businessman in Beaufort, owning much land and commercial property. 

Beaufort District Collection Obituary Card Files

 








In June 2016, descendant Richard Pollitzer of Beaufort donated a copy of his family history to the BDC. Drop by our Research Room to learn even more about the accomplishments and disappointments of the Pollitzer family. 

Wait List Begun

The calls and messages have come in for Dr. Rowland's lecture in such numbers that we began a waiting list about 30 minutes ago.  If you'd like to get on that waiting list in case others have to cancel, please call 255-6468 or e-mail gracec@bcgov.net. (With all the sniffles and coughing now in sway, it is not unlikely to get cancellations so being on the waiting list isn't such a terrible place to be.)

"Creating the Carolinas" Exhibit Now Open

Conference attendance often has added benefits beyond learning best practices and acquiring new skills. Interaction with colleagues from other institutions almost invariably benefits Beaufort County Library.

I learned about the "Shaping of South Carolina" exhibit at the 2013 tri-state (a combined SC, NC, and GA) Archival conference in Greenville. The South Carolina Historical Society graciously loaned us their traveling exhibit to display October 1, 2014 through January 30, 2015.  It's a fascinating story of adventure, politics and boundary making over the past of 400 years.  Kings, political deals, Indian treaties, and misguided surveying all helped create our state lines.  Come learn just how troublesome establishing state boundaries can be.  

The exhibit is open when the BDC is open, that is usually Mondays - Fridays, 10 am - 5pm, except when we're not (as in this Wed., Oct. 8th when the Library staff will have Fall In-Service training.) 

!!!!!! Extra special opportunity!!!!! Come to the "What the Heck Is It?" artifact identification session, Sat., Oct. 18th, Noon to 3 pm - and see this exhibit while you wait. 

We’re offering three lectures to supplement the exhibit. First up is Archaeologist Chris Judge, USC-Lancaster whose research focus is on Native Americans on October 22nd.  On November 6th, Alan-Jon Zupan and David Ballard of the SC Geologic Survey will be here to discuss the issues and challenges of the surveying the state's boundaries through time; and on January 15th, USC-Professor Emeritus, Dr. Larry Rowland will explain all about the "Treaty of Beaufort."   

Please take advantage of this educational and informative exhibit and the supplemental lecture series.  Both the exhibit and each lecture are free and open to the public!