Brief History of Library Services on St. Helena Island, 1956 - present

The St. Helena Branch Library is hosting a 9th birthday party on 9 October 2021. The current building may be 9 years old but library books have been circulating on the island for a lot longer than that! How did library service for Island residents evolve through time? Here's a brief timeline of providing library services on St. Helena. 

1956 The First Book Delivery Service

Operating out of the independent Laura Towne Library at Penn Community Center, Mrs. Wilhelmina Barnwell and Mrs. Ethel Bailey delivered books in their personal vehicles to African-American children on St. Helena Island and Lady’s Island.

1958 Bookmobile Service

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Two years later, Mrs. Barnwell and Mrs. Bailey had more demand than their vehicles could accommodate. The AKA Sorority at S.C. State College awarded a $400 grant towards the purchase of a bookmobile. A used bookmobile from Richland County Public Library was acquired by the Laura Towne Library for $450 (including taxes, a new paint job, and repairs). Mrs. Barnwell drove this bookmobile around St. Helena Island and Lady’s Island for 8 years. Approximately 1,000 books circulated each month through her 15 “Book Outposts”.

1962 The "Beaufort County Library" is established

By act of the General Assembly in 1962, the Beaufort Township Library was transformed into the Beaufort County Library.

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Also in this same year, the Beaufort County Library provides services to all area residents. The Beaufort County Library is a fully integrated public library system and the Beaufort County Library Board of Trustees begins the process of closing the J.I. Washington Colored Library.

1962 First Branch Library Established

The Laura Towne Library at Penn Center becomes the first branch location of the Beaufort County Library system. 

1973 The Laura Towne Library on St. Helena Library closes.

 

1993 St. Helena Elementary Joint Use Facility

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The Beaufort County Library and the Beaufort County School District open a joint use facility at St. Helena Elementary School at 1025 Sea Island Pkwy on Highway 21. 

The St. Helena Branch Library at St. Helena Elementary School closes on September 8, 2012.

2011-2012 The New St. Helena Branch Library

In 2011, a groundbreaking ceremony is held in October for a new St. Helena Branch Library to be built on land donated by Penn Center.

 

The new St. Helena Branch Library opens at 6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Road on October 17, 2012. The 22,000 sq.ft. facility cost $11 million to build. It was funded with Community Development Block Grant and US Department of Agriculture Rural Development grants and loans and built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Standards. Liollio Architecture of Charleston, SC was the designer. The building continues to win multiple design awards.

There's a lot more details to be found in the Beaufort County Library Records and in the "Beaufort County Library - St. Helena Branch" vertical file inside the Research Room. Please make an appointment at least a few days in advance of your preferred date and time to visit, Mondays through Fridays: gracec@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468. 

Free "Making Gullah" Lecture on November 8, 2019

We are grateful for all the folks who help us bring enlightening, illuminating and informative local history programs to you. Since June, we've collaborated with Beaufort Branch, Beaufort County Historical Society, Beaufort History Museum, Hilton Head Branch, and the Pat Conroy Literary Center on a wide range of topics from bootlegging to teaching kids; from colonial life to Beaufort County in the 1970s; natural disasters and disasters made by humans (Civil War) - and through all those time periods, there were African American people who endured and affected that history. We are delighted to collaborate with the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, Penn Center, and the St. Helena Branch Library to offer another program about the Gullah people  to you. 

"Making Gullah: Reflections on Finding Gullah Folk in the American Imagination" by 
Dr. Melissa L. Cooper | BDC@ St. Helena Branch Library,  6355 Jonathan Francis, Sr. Road | Friday, November 8, 2019 at 2 PM

Melissa L. Cooper, PhD specializes in African American cultural and intellectual history, and the history of the African Diaspora. She is an Associate Professor in History at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey. Cooper's book, Making Gullah: A History of Sapelo Islanders, Race, and the American Imagination (University of North Carolina Press, 2017) is an intellectual and cultural history that examines the emergence of "the Gullah" in scholarly and popular works during the 1920s and the 1930s. Using Sapelo Island, Georgia as a case study, Cooper's manuscript explores the forces that inspired interest in black southerners’ African heritage during the period, and also looks at the late twentieth, and twenty-first century legacies of the works that first made Sapelo Islanders famous. She is the author of Instructor's Resource Manual--Freedom on My Mind: A History of African Americans with Documents (Bedford/St. Martin's Press, 2013) and a contributor to Race and Retail: Consumption Across the Color Line (Rutgers University Press, 2015).  

Please join us for this free lecture being held as a component of Penn Center's 37th Annual Heritage Days Festival. 

Also, we do hope that you have reserved your seat at "Guns of the Big Gun Shoot" as registration is required.The link is https://beauforthistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/event-3552471.  Registration is closed once room capacity is met.

As of this writing, there are still seats available for Jim Alberto's Daufuskie Daze Author Book Talk at Beaufort Branch on November 15th: https://daufuskiedaze2.bpt.me.

Looking ahead: The Library system will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2019 for Veterans Day.

20th Anniversary Series, Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition

Received from the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition 12/24/2016:

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, the Gullah/Geechee Angel Network, and the Gullah/Geechee Nation's leaders are sponsoring a series of events in celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition and the International Decade of People of African Descent.  Please make sure to register now for these events since space for many of them is limited.  Also, please Tweet and Share the events with your networks:

• Gullah/Geechee Knows Emanuel, Sat, February 4, 2017, North Charleston: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gullahgeechee-knows-emanuel-tickets-30507251009

• Black Folks Land Legacy Conference,Fri, Mar 10, 2017, 12:00 PM – Sun, Mar 12, 2017, 3:00 PM, St. Helena Island: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-folks-land-legacy-conference-2017-tickets-30523435417

• Gittin Ready fa de Gullah/Geechee Family Reunion: An Interactive Family Collections Digitization and Protection Workshop,Sat, March 25, 2017 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT, St. Helena Branch Library:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gittin-ready-fa-de-gullahgeechee-family-reunion-an-interactive-family-collections-workshop-tickets-30575561327

• Coastal Cultures Conference: Sustaining Cultural Heritage as the Climate Changes,Sat, April 22, 2017 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM EDT, St. Helena Branch Library: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coastal-cultures-conference-2017-sustaining-cultural-heritage-as-the-climate-changes-tickets-30574381799

• Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival™: Fa We Ancestas, Fri, Aug 4, 2017, 12:00 PM – Sun, Aug 6, 2017, 3:00 PM, St. Helena Island:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/gullahgeechee-nation-international-music-movement-festival-2017-tickets-30573330655

The Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition offices are closed from now until February 1st due to the annual break.  However, if you are interested in being a part of "Gullah/Geechee Volunteer Month" in March, you can still get details in to Gull...@aol.com in regard to your group including dates and the number of people that will come to assist.  Details on participating will be sent to you when the office reopens.

Tenki Tenki ta all hunnuh chillun wha bin da support we all a disya time!  Happy Holy Days ta hunnuh and hunnuh famlee!  See hunnuh at events een 2017!

Peace,

Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition

Webe Gullah/Geechee Anointed Peepol!

Lun mo bout who webe

www.gullahgeecheenation.com

Is it Really Robert Smalls's Planter?

Saturday, August 9th:  You may have heard the news about a recent discovery of a shipwreck that might be - or might not be - the remains of "Robert Smalls's the Planter." (We share pride in the character and achievements of our native son Robert Smalls with Charleston.) Dr. Nicholas Butler, Public Historian, Charleston County Public Library shares contemporary evidence about the ultimate fate of the steamship Planter. Open to anyone over age 12 interested in attending. This BDC@ St. Helena Branch local history program begins at 1 pm.

Join us if you can. It's free!

Heads up: The BDC Research Room will be closed at lunchtime, Noon to 1 pm, Tues., Aug. 19 - Mon., Aug. 25.

Butler on The Planter

No registration necessary.  We hope to see you there!

Gullah Women of Character, Courage and Commitment

The Created Equal film and discussion series ends with a session devoted to the significance of Gullah/Geechee women upon our nation's history.  The enstooled head of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Queen Quet, discusses the documentary "De Gullah/Geechee Ooman an De Right Ta Freedum!" on Wednesday, March 12, 2014 at 6:00pm in the St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Rd. The presentation is free and open to the public.  Details: (843)255-6540, mbenac@bcgov.net

 

Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle series is a National Film project by the National Endowment for the Humanities, as part of its Bridging Cultures initiative, in partnership with  the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.  South Carolina based partners helping to bring the series to Beaufort County are South Carolina State University and Penn Center.  

Black History Month 2014

Carter G. Woodson began highlighting the distinct and crucial history of African-Americans in 1926.  Since then, a week long celebration has turned into a month-long emphasis and reminder of the role that African Americans have made to American life and culture.  The 2014 theme for Black History Month is "Civil Rights in America."

The Beaufort District Collection makes an extra special effort to draw attention to the deep and broad history of African-Americans through our Facebook  and Connections posts, genealogy workshops, and emphasis on Library materials and services about Black History. Be sure to check out the posts in this blog labeled "African Americans" and "Black History Month" to get started.  

 

Already underway, in cooperation with Penn Center, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, the St. Helena Branch Library is hosting "Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle" a film and lecture series.  Schedule.  

In addition, several of our sister cultural heritage organizations are hosting special exhibits or workshops on topics of African and African American history to commemorate Black History Month:

UPDATE: 14 Feb 2014, 4:27pm:The Toni Carrier Presentation at the Heritage Library scheduled for this Sunday, February 16, at 2:00 pm is CANCELLED. Please pass the word! -- Linda Piekut, Executive Director, Heritage Library Foundation,843-686-6560,lindapiekut@gmail.com

The Heritage Library Foundation is hosting a workshop: 

Breaking Through the 1870 Brick Wall: Locating Your African American Ancestors in SC Freedmen’s Bureau Records Toni Carrier, Founding Director of Lowcountry Africana and the USF Africana Heritage Project

Sunday, February 16, 2014;

2:00 – Wine Reception; 2:30 – talk

$10/Person

Researching African American family history before 1870 has always been difficult because of the lack of plantation and civil war records documenting the enslaved peoples of the lowcountry. Toni’s special research interest is finding and digitizing records to assist African American famly history researchers in tracing ancestors back before the 1870 federal census.

Call the Heritage Library at 843-686-6560 to reserve a seat.

Visit the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island to see "Finding Freedom's Home: Archaeology at Mitchelville."Recent archeological discoveries at the site of one of the first self-governed Freedmen's communities include evidence of possible homes, several barrel wells, a large refuse pit, and more than 20,000 artifacts, including personal belongings, tools and household goods.The exhibition will be on display through December. Details: 843-689-6767 or www.coastaldiscovery.org.

Read more here: http://www.islandpacket.com/2014/01/30/2920834/exhibit-highlighting-mitchelvilles.html#storylink=cpy

Penn Center has "Bunce Island, a British slave castle in Sierra Leone" on exhibit through the end of May in the York W. Bailey Museum.  Bunce Island was one of about 40 slave castles, or fortified trading posts, that European merchants built along the coast of West Africa during the period of the Atlantic slave trade. Details: 843-838-2474, www.penncenter.com.

Parris Island Museum exhibits focus on the long and honored history and traditions of the Marine Corps, including the history of African-American Marines before Harry S. Truman desegregated the military. Museum: 843-228-2951

"Created Equal: America's Civil Rights Struggle" Series Continues

 

The St. Helena Branch Library is bringing "Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle" in  partnership with South Carolina State University and  Penn Center, with financial support from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as part of its Bridging Cultures initiative with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History.  The film screenings, presentations, and discussions are free.  Visit the "Created Equal" webpages for details www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/created-equal.

Loving Story

Watch the film at Penn Center then come to the library in the evening for a discussion about love and to hear stories from members of the community who will share their stories. Wednesday, February 12^th, 2014 at 11 AM (film only – Penn Center) and 6 PM (Presentation & Discussion-St Helena Branch Library) St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Rd, St. Helena Island, SC 29920

De Gullah/Geechee an Reconstruction 

Join Queen Quet for a discussion of a documentary covering the lives of the Gullah Geechee during Reconstruction. Saturday, February, 15^th, 2014 from 12:00-4:00 PM St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Rd, St. Helena Island, SC 29920

Slavery By Another Name

Watch the movie at Penn Center then join the community to meet Tonya Groomes, who is featured in this documentary and hear how she found her roots and contributed to this film. Wednesday, February 19^th, 2014 at 11 AM (Film only – Penn Center) & 6 PM (Discussion and Meet Tonya Groomes – St Helena Branch Library).

The Big One

On a single terrifying night of August 1893 a devastating hurricane ripped through the islands and lowlands of South Carolina and Georgia drowning thousands and leaving tens of thousands more destitute.  

Grace Cordial, Beaufort District Collection Manager, will share photographs, diary accounts, and other materials relating to the “Great Sea Island Hurricane” during the presentation.   


This free BDC@ STH local history program will be held in the Meeting Room at St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr. Road. Site contact: acox@bcgov.net, 255-6559.

Programs in Honor of Black History Month

Here are some programs in honor of Black History Month being held in the library system or by the Friends of the Beaufort Library.   

Mon., Feb. 4th 

"Books Sandwiched In" reviews The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America’s Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson (Presenter: Reverend James E. Moore) 

Time: Noon

Location:  USC-B Performing Arts Center, 801 Carteret Street

Call Jane and Lloyd Sidwell, Co-Chairs: (843) 694-2864 or (843) 379-5246, sidwellweb@gmail.com

* For a list of related materials about the internal migration of African Americans within the United States, 1900 - 1980, check out the materials in the "Great Migration" book bag I created. 

Tues., Feb. 5th

Net Making on St. Helena Island

Time: 3:30 PM

Location: St. Helena Branch

The St. Helena Branch Library will host Mr. Joseph Legree, Jr. who will talk about the history of net making on the island and he will have examples of his work to view. Program is open to everyone. Call 255-6487 for more information.

Sat., Feb. 9th

Gullah/Geechie Living Learning Series Hosted by Queen Quet

Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Location: St. Helena Branch

Queen Quet of the Gullah/Geechee Nation presents "Disya who WEBE: Celebrating the Gullah/Geechee Legacy" film series, readings and presentations. Free.  Open to everyone. Call 255-6487 for more information.

Tues., Feb. 12th 

BDC@ Bluffton Branch History Book Club

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: Bluffton Branch

BDC Manager, Grace Cordial, leads the discussion of Gullah Statesman: Robert Smalls from Slavery to Congress, 1839-1915 by Edward A. Miller. She will share some of the special collections materials from the BDC with participants during the presentation. No need to register; everyone over age 12 with an interest in our local history is welcome! Free.  Call Bratton at (843) 255-6503 or bdeloach@bcgov.net for more information.

Tues., Feb. 12th

African-American Genealogy Workshop

Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Beaufort Branch

Are you looking to accelerate your family history search? Get started with African American genealogist specialist, Fallon Green. Registration is required!  Free! Everyone is welcome! Please call Stacey Edmonds (843) 255-6458, or email sinman@bcgov.net.

Mon., Feb. 18th

A World of Fun: African Folktales!

Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Location: Hilton Head Branch

School’s out, and we would love to have you spend part of the afternoon with us. We’re “traveling” to Africa where we will share folktales filled with tricksters like the fearsome beast, Anansi the sneaky spider, and even a talking melon. We’ll wrap things up with some activities and an African-inspired craft. For kids in kindergarten and up. Call Julie at (843) 255-6529 or jbascom@bcgov.net for more information.

Mon., Feb. 18th 

Just the Black Facts, Live!

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: St. Helena Branch

Live game show competition focusing on facts about African Americans in modern society. Prizes awarded! Contestants: Grades 6-12 only. Call Shay at (843) 255-6542 or sbrooks@bcgov.net for more information.

Wed., Feb. 20th 

Bluffton Book Club 

Time: 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Location: Bluffton Branch

Discussing Someone Knows my Name by Lawrence Hill. Someone Knows My Name is a captivating novel about Aminata Diallo, stolen from Africa as a child who thinks only of freedom.  Her story  spans six decades and three continents and brings to life a crucial chapter in world history.  Call Amanda at (843) 255-6503 or abrewer@bcgov.net for more information.

Mon., Feb. 25th

Just the Black Facts, Live!

Time: 6:00 PM

Location: St. Helena Branch

Live game show competition focusing on facts about African Americans in modern society. Prizes awarded! Contestants: Grades 6-12 only. Call Shay at (843) 255-6542 or sbrooks@bcgov.net for more information.