Hip! Hip! Hooray! It's our 10th Anniversary Today!

Ten Years Ago: We dedicated the relocation of the Beaufort District Collection to the 2nd floor of the Library building at 311 Scott Street on 29 September 2010. [You can flash back to the time and conditions in which the collection was located in the SC Room downstairs with this old Flickr photostream. The room has since been converted into the Beaufort Branch Meeting Room and has become the frequent site of past - and once it is safe to do so we hope future - BDC Local history series programs.]

 

Library Public Services Coordinator Hillary Barnwell gave me her full support for upgrading the historical collection's facility from the very first time I broached the topic. Library Director Julie Zachowski agreed and allowed me to make a short presentation to the Library Board of Trustees. Thus began the process. Library Director Wlodek Zaryczny saw things through until sufficient financial arrangements were in place to see to critical elements of the relocation plan. Wlodek never wavered in support of this project. County Engineer David Coleman shepherded the building process. It was quite sad for me that Hillary Barnwell did not live to see the move accomplished since those who knew her know how much she advocated for historical projects.

 

With the help of my then assistant Charmaine Seabrook Concepcion, my son, Ciaran and almost son Kyle (who were paid in cheeseburgers), we got everything moved from the old South Carolina Room downstairs over the summer and in place with almost an hour to spare before the ceremony! Whew! but that was cutting it really, really close.  

 

The Friends of the Beaufort Library then headed by Deena Culp provided $25,000 seed money and the Clover Club hosted a fund-raiser with Dr. Larry Rowland as featured speaker to help purchase the compact shelving array that allows us to store 2.5 - 3 times as many materials in the limited space available inside the Paul Siegmund Room. All in all about 150 private citizens and local organizations contributed to the fund-raising efforts. I remember being particularly pleased that BDC researchers Stephen Hoffius and Robert Cuthbert surprised me at a BDC Author Book Talk on Northern Money, Southern Land by donating all their sale proceeds after the program that day towards our compact shelving fund.

 

The Friends of the Library also funded a nice reception that evening shown here. 

Look closely and you'll see Former Assistant County Administrator Morris Campbell, my former bosses Dennis Adams and Julie Zachowski, USCB librarians Geni Flowers and Mae Mendoza and former Library Board of Trustee members.   

 

 

Library Board members Patsy Hand, Theresa Dunn, and then Beaufort County Council Chairman Paul Sommerville marked the occasion as well. 

 

It was nice that the Beaufort Gazette covered the re-opening and that the Island Packet's David Lauderdale championed the project in his column several times through the years: 

Beaufort Gazette, 30 September 2020 p. 1A.

 

Charmaine Seabrook Concepcion and I gave tours that evening and throughout October in honor of American Archives Month. I even recently found the note cards we used to give those tours:

What a difference a decade makes! 10 years later we have approximately 7000 books, videos and cds; our archival collections have doubled and then some though the largest archival collection is still the Lucille Hasell Culp Collection. We've added 5 years worth of newspaper microfilms, some additional SCDAH microfilm series, and many, many more vertical files since then. We've added 7 digital collections, an active Facebook page and another blog to the "Virtual BDC." About 7500 people attended more than 250 BDC local history programs in the last 10 years. There's still room enough to grow though my successor whomever s/he may be will probably have to start advocating for additional space as soon as 2026 if my experience with how quickly things tend to happen in Beaufort County holds true.

 

I reflected on the journey of moving the collection into more suitable quarters in the BDC's Connections blog at the time:

"It's been an arduous 9 year journey from the initial request I made to the Library Board of Trustees on September 18, 2001 to the ribbon cutting today. Although at times I despaired that it would ever happen, I am so grateful for all the people and organizations that have helped me protect the "Wonders of the Beaufort District Collection" by giving of their time, talents, and monies. I am scared to mention anyone by name in fear that I will inadvertently omit someone. I hope the 150 angels of the BDC already know that I thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. We done good. -- Grace"

I remain grateful for all the community support, Library Administration and staff, Library Board of Trustees, County Administration and staff, Beloved BDC Docents, and former assistants (Amber Shorthouse, Dannielle Landry, Charmaine Concepcion, Ashley Sylva, Melissa Jacobs, Amanda Forbes, Samantha Perkins, and Kristi Marshall) who helped make the BDC the well-regarded special collections and archives unit it is today.  

 

Though COVID-19 mitigation has prevented us from hosting researchers inside our facility for many months, that is about to change.

Beginning Monday, October 5, 2020 we will be providing some on-site, in-facility services under limited circumstances. The major change is that service will be provided by appointment only for the time being for these key reasons: 

 

1) The Research Room is quite small. Maintaining the CDC recommended 6 feet apart social distancing rubric means that we can only accommodate one researcher at a time;

 

2) Until we can find, hire and train a new part-time circulation assistant, I am the entire BDC staff so advance arrangements are required to make sure that I will be on-site to provide access to the Research Room materials; and

 

3) To keep us all safe, customers must wear masks properly [that is, covering the nose and mouth with two or more layers of fabric or appropriate material] at all times while in County buildings. Disinfectants will be applied to all high touch surfaces between customers. 

 

Please note: To get on my calendar, please call 843-255-6446 or email me at gracec@bcgov.net to make the necessary arrangements.

Come Tour!

At the Reception, 2010

On September 29, 2010, we re-opened the Beaufort District Collection in its much larger quarters on the 2nd floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC through the help of Beaufort County, Beaufort County Library, Friends of the Beaufort County Library, the Clover Club, and over 100 individual donors. (View images of the relocation process and other Library events). Through the years, the collection had grown so large that the space allotted on the first floor was totally inadequate - that, and we wanted desperately to store the collection well above the flood plain. (The Beaufort River is only a few blocks away). 

As the Library's the special local history collection and archives unit of the Beaufort County Library, we concentrate on gathering and sharing information about the people, places, and themes of the area wedged between the Combahee and Savannah Rivers, from the Atlantic to approximately 50 miles inland for the period 10,000 BCE ~ 1964.  The relocation was necessary to provide better conditions for this valuable and valued collection.
 


We follow Rare Book and Special Collections guidelines from the Association of College and Research Libraries; guidelines of the Society of American Archivists, the Reference and User Services (RUSA) guidelines of the ALA, and participate in the South Carolina Archival Association and the Public Library Association to provide the best service we can given the constraints of staffing, funding, and available space.

On Saturday, October 11th, we are hosting our 4th annual "See-What's-in-the-Closed-Stacks" tour in honor of SC Archives Month.  We'd love for you to sign up to attend.

As an added treat, folks who register will also get to see the "Creating the Carolinas" traveling exhibit loaned to us by the South Carolina Historical Society up close and personal on that date.  We'll begin the tour, surrounded by the "Creating the Carolinas" exhibit, with a very short presentation about the BDC's programs, services, and policies, and then head into the locked storage area to view the treasures. This is the only opportunity you have to see precious items from the BDC and the South Carolina Historical Society up close and personal at precisely the same time.

The 1.5 hour tour is free. In keeping with the "Archives and the Natural Environment" theme, this year we'll highlight some of the many natural history related treasures we hold in trust for the community. (Trust me, you'll be surprised.)  Because the BDC area is rather small, we must limit the number of participants to 15 people over age twelve. Please no walk-ins. Register today to join us! cseabrook@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468.

Charmaine and I do so hope that you can take the tour! 

Remembering 9-11

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Please note: The links have been removed and appointments are now required to visit the Research Room. - gmc  9 September 2021

Today we remember the impact of September 11, 2001 by re-posting the September 11, 2012 entry in this blog:  

One of the local reactions to the events of 9-11 is a small unique collection of oral histories recorded as part of the September Project, 2004. The September Project's goal was that: "On Saturday, September 11th, 2004, people across the nation will go to public spaces to participate collectively and think creatively about our country, our government, and our media. With public libraries as host, The September Project will help facilitate talks and roundtables, public forums, and performances in towns and cities across the US."

On that Saturday morning, Fran Hays (then a Beaufort Branch Reference Librarian, now the Reference Manager at St. Helena Branch) set up a cassette tape recording station for people from our community to share their memories of that tragic day in 2001. Almost a dozen Beaufort residents and visitors offered their oral history recollections and reflections on what was the 3rd anniversary of the terrorist attack.

These oral histories are first-hand reflections on the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93, and the consequences of the terrorist attacks on American freedoms, with a lapse of three years to process one's grief, emotions, and reactions. The recordings were placed in the BDC for permanent retention upon conclusion of the project. Beloved BDC docent, Hugh Folk, transcribed the oral histories in 2008. Charmaine Concepcion and I recently reviewed, edited, and added explanatory content to the transcriptions. 

You'll have to make an appointment to visit the BDC Research Room to hear the audio recordings.  

The Great War, 1914 - 1918

Latest update: 29 April 2024 - gmc

On the 11th day of the 11th month at 11:00 am in 1918, by agreement, the guns of the nations at war since 1914 fell silent. At its conclusion, the total military dead was 8.5 million. Estimates of civilian casualties range from 6 to 13 million.

Under any reckoning, World War I, "The War to End All Wars," (AKA "The Great War") was a cataclysm of destruction and slaughter. The Beaufort District Collection (BDC) offers these suggestions how to learn more about your World War I ancestor.

The Official Roster of South Carolina Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the World War, 1917-1918 is in the BDC Research Room for family historians to find a synopsis of an ancestor's WWI service record. We also maintain an obituary file which includes notices of local men killed during the War and a vertical file headed  HISTORY--WORLD WAR, 1914-1918. The BDC postcard collections contains a number of contemporary postcards about the training of Marines on Parris Island during the period.

You can find World War I Draft Registration cards in the Ancestry Library Edition database we provide inside all Library facilities.  This record series is particularly important because in 1917 and 1918, approximately 24 million men living in the United States completed a World War I draft registration card. These registration cards represent approximately 98% of the men under the age of 46. The total U.S. population in 1917-1918 was about 100 million individuals. In other words, close to 25% of the total population is represented in these records. 

FamilySearch.org has a very helpful guide to "World War I United States Military Records, 1917-1918" that includes in the right hand column a Beginning World War I Research. 

To learn more about the types of records compiled about World War I, read the Prologue article, “They Answered the Call: Military Service in the United States Army During World War I, 1917-1919" by Mitchell Yockelson. Contact the National Archives for a copy of the official military service record of a U.S. veteran who served during the Great War. 

Note: The patriotic embossed postcard is from the Robert E.H. Peeples Postcard Collection in the Research Room. 

Combahee River Raid - 150th Anniversary

This weekend the Lowcountry commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Combahee River Raid.

Here is a transcription of the Commanding officer's report to Major-General David Hunter, Commanding Tenth Army Corps, Department of the South as given in the Supplement to the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, volume 14, serial 20, p. 104:

June 2, 1863.  Union raid on the Combahee River, South Carolina.

Report of Colonel James Montgomery, Second South Carolin Infantry (Union), of operations at Combahee River, South Carolina, June 2, 1863.

Beaufort, South Carolina, June 3, 1863.

GENERAL: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your orders, I proceeded up the Combahee River with the steamers John Adams and Harriet A. Weed with a detachment of 300 men on the Second South Carolina Volunteer Regiment [Union] and a section of the Third Rhode Island Battery, commanded by Captain [Charles Ray] Brayton.

We ascended the river some twenty-five miles, destroyed a pontoon bridge, together with a vast amount of cotton, rice and other property, and brought away 725 slaves and some fine horses.

We had some sharp skirmishes in all of which the men behaved splendidly; I hope to report more fully in a day or tow.

I have the honor to be, General, your most obedient servant,
James Montgomery,
Colonel, Commanding South Carolina Volunteers.

Serving as a scout for this raid was Harriet Tubman, a former slave who was a key conductor of the Underground Railroad.  During the Civil War she served the United States as a scout, nurse, cook and spy.  Review the links in our list of online sources and other materials about Harriet Tubman.

The Sons & Daughters United States Colored Troops are sponsoring several events over the weekend to highlight and honor the role of the United States Colored Troops including the Combahee River Raid.  Local sponsors include Mitchelville Preservation Project, Penn Center, LyBenson Studio, and the Tabernacle Baptist Church. Visit their website for details.

Captain Hilton Docks on Saturday

 

Captain William Hilton (as channeled through living historian Dwayne Pickett) drops anchor at Beaufort Branch Library Saturday afternoon. Join us at this BDC@ The Branches local history program.  All ages are invited to learn about his explorations along the South Carolina coast 350 years ago at this free program.

Other ports of call: Sat., June 15th at Lobeco Branch, 1 - 2 pm; and, Wed., June 26th at Bluffton Branch, 2 - 3 pm. 

Happy 261st Birthday, Harmony Lodge!

It is commonly known that the Masonic Lodge in Beaufort is among the oldest in South Carolina.  In fact, today, just might be its 261st birthday.  The South Carolina Gazette newspaper reported on January 10, 1752 that:

The 27th ult., (December 1751,) being the Festival of St. John the Evangelist, at 10 o'clock, the members of a Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons met at the house of Mr. Nathaniel Greene, at Beaufort, (on Port Royal Island,) and at 11, went in procession from thence, properly clothed with the ensigns of their Order, to church, to attend Divine Service, where, after prayers, an excellent sermon, suitable to the occasion, was preached by their late worthy Master, the Rev. Mr. Peaseley.  From church they returned in the same processional order to Mr. Greene's, where an elegant entertainment was provided, to which all the company of note on the Island were previously invited.  After dinner and the usual healths drank, the whole was concluded with the greatest order and good fellowship.  The procession was saluted by a discharge of the cannons from all the vessels in the harbor, both at going to, and returning from, church.

Cited in  The History of Freemasonry in South Carolina. From Its Origin in the Year 1736 to the Present Time by Albert G. Mackey, Columbia, SC: South Carolina Steam Power Press, 1861; Reprinted for Solomon's Lodge No. 1, AFM, 1936.   Available in the BDC under call number SC 366 MAC, p. 22.

For more about the somewhat confusing dates and names related to what we now know as "Harmony Lodge No. 41", read "History of Harmony Lodge No. 22 from A.D. 1756 - A.D. 1983, A.L. 5756 - A.L. 5983," compiled by Robert Pinkston at http://afm22.org/history.htm.

Reminder: The Research Room is closed for lunch, Noon - 1 pm, for the rest of the week. 

Happy Anniversary to the BDC!

Today we begin year 3 in the renovated space on the 2nd floor of the Library building at 311 Scott Street. How fast time has flown.

The relocation was 9 years and 16 days in the making.  Beaufort County invested $378,000 in renovating part of the 2nd floor of the Library facility at 311 Scott Street to contain this special collections and archives department to best practices standards.  The Friends of the Beaufort County Library assisted with a significant donation towards the compact shelving array which greatly expanded our storage capacity. All in all, almost 150 people gave of their time and/or monies to help us become better stewards of the materials entrusted to the BDC. 

If you haven't come by to see us in our renovated space, sign up for our 3rd Annual "Behind-the-Scenes" tours in October.

• We're doing a morning tour on Fri., Oct. 12th from 10:30 am - Noon.  
• We're doing an evening tour on Tues., Oct. 16th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.

In keeping with the theme for SC Archives Month 2012, we will highlight our holdings on natural disasters in our area.

Because space is limited, registration is required.  Call 255-6468, e-mail cseabrook@bcgov.net or drop by our Research Room to sign up. The tours are free; anyone over age 12 interested in archival or historical matters is very welcomed to register.

PS: Today is also the 53rd anniversary of Hurricane Gracie.  Expect to learn more about her during Archives Month. 

Emancipation Nation Update

The streaming Emancipation Nation: Celebrating Freedom on Constitution Day webcast had 7,000 individuals participate in person or via modern technology.  There were 124 watch parties  (including one here in the BDC) held in 32 states and 3 countries. Missed the presentation but still interested in this important topic?  A YouTube video of the discussion is now available at emancipation.neh.gov/live. 

9/11 Oral Histories in the BDC

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Please note: Broken links have been removed and appointments are now required to access the materials inside the BDC Research Room. -- gmc 9 September 2021

One of the local reactions to the events of 9-11 is a small unique collection of oral histories recorded as part of the September Project, 2004. The September Project's goal was that: "On Saturday, September 11th, 2004, people across the nation will go to public spaces to participate collectively and think creatively about our country, our government, and our media. With public libraries as host, The September Project will help facilitate talks and roundtables, public forums, and performances in towns and cities across the US."

On that Saturday morning, Fran Hays (then a Beaufort Branch Reference Librarian, now the Branch Manager) set up a cassette tape recording station for people from our community to share their memories of that tragic day in 2001. Almost a dozen Beaufort residents and visitors offered their oral history recollections and reflections on what was the 3rd anniversary of the terrorist attack.

These oral histories are first-hand reflections on the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Flight 93, and the consequences of the terrorist attacks on American freedoms, with a lapse of three years to process one's grief, emotions, and reactions. The recordings were placed in the BDC for permanent retention upon conclusion of the project. Beloved BDC docent, Hugh Folk, transcribed the oral histories in 2008. Charmaine Concepcion and I recently reviewed, edited, and added explanatory content to the transcriptions.  

You'll have to drop by the BDC Research Room to hear the audio recordings. 

Guide to Sources about the War of 1812

Carolyn Barkley wrote an informative entry in her blog about resources for studying the War of 1812.  The article begins: 

Did you grow up during the 1950s? If so, perhaps your first introduction to the War of 1812 may have been Johnny Horton’s classic Battle of New Orleans which scored #1 on the Billboard charts in 1959. Perhaps you also learned about some of the other iconic images from this period: the burning of the White House and Dolly Madison’s last-minute rescue of Washington’s portrait; the penning of the words to The Star Spangled Banner; and the famous exhortation, “Don’t give up the ship,” uttered by the dying captain, James Lawrence, of the USS Chesapeake in 1813 (often incorrectly attributed to Oliver Hazard Perry as it was featured on his personal battle flag). However, like the Korean War, the War of 1812 has become one of the forgotten wars in American history. Considered from a global perspective, what we Americans term “the War of 1812” was overshadowed by the Napoleonic Wars in Europe that occurred between 1793-1801 and 1803-1815. (Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture, after all, has nothing to do with the United States, featuring, instead, the Marseilles and the Russian hymn, God Save the Tsar). Ironically, today the War of 1812 bicentennial is clearly eclipsed by the sesquicentennial commemoration of the American Civil War. The bicentennial, however, offers us an opportunity to understand its effect on American history and to learn about records about that are available concerning individuals involved in this conflict.

If you have ancestors who served in the military during the War of 1812, we recommend that you read the full article and explore the links she provides.

As a former Connections entry noted, Ancestry.com is offering free access to some of its "War of 1812" to commemorate its bicentennial year.  And, of course, all our branch libraries provide access to the Ancestry Library Edition subscription database for you to search for your ancestors on our public access computers.

Reminders about This Holiday Weekend

• Don't forget the 26th Annual Gullah Festival going on this Memorial Day weekend in the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park in downtown Beaufort.
• Don't forget that we are celebrating the 450th Anniversary of the Landing of Jean Ribaut and his Huguenots at Parris Island.  
• Don't forget that all Beaufort County government offices, including the Library system, will be closed on Mon., May 28th in observance of Memorial Day. 

Celebrating 450 Years of Local History

Latest update: 20 August 2024 - gmc

On May 17, 1562, a daring Huguenot sea captain, Jean Ribaut (aka Ribault) landed on Parris Island and established the first French colony in North America.  Fewer than 30 settlers quickly erected a wooden bastion that they named Charlesfort (1562-1563).  The settlement soon fell upon hard times due to inexperience, repercussions from religious strife in England and France, and poor relations with the Native Americans. Despairing of help, most of the Frenchmen set sail for home with little in the way of supplies.  The men resorted to cannibalism before they were spotted off the coast of Ireland by an English ship.  The Spanish arrived at Parris Island in 1563, found Charlesfort occupied by a lonely Frenchman, and burned the fort to the ground.  The Spanish erected their own fort, Santa Elena, three years later within yards of the French bastion. Santa Elena served as the first capital of Spanish Florida from 1566 until 1587.

Charlesfort-Santa Elena site is nationally significant because it illustrates the competition for New World resources between two European colonial powers, France and Spain. And the intrepid Jean Ribaut was a key actor within this story. 

The BDC display case features some of the memorabilia we have from the 400th Anniversary celebration in March 1962.  Among the resources are postcards, maps, programs, brochures, Ribaut coins, and commemorative stickers, and the master script of "Prologue to Freedom". We have two scrapbooks prepared 50 years ago about Prologue to Freedom that are available to view.  Drop by during our regular hours of operation to see the display and other related items.

On Thursday, May 17th, the Beaufort County Historical Society will present SCIAA member and archaeologist, Dr. Chester DePratter at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club off Meridian Rd, Lady’s Island, Beaufort, SC. DePratter's power point discussion regarding the archaeological survey and dig at Charlesfort will begin at noon.

 

In addition to the BDC Jean Ribaut bibliography, here are some online materials to learn more about Ribaut, Laudonniere, and the role that Charlesfort and Santa Elena played in European imperialism:  

History of Parris Island, South Carolina – including Charlesfort and Santa Elena 

Charlesfort-Santa Elena SiteFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 

Silver Anniversary of the Town of Hilton Head Island

Latest update: 23 October 2024 - gmc

The Beaufort District Collection gathers appropriate materials about all areas of Beaufort County -- from just about anywhere we can get them. We have a county wide policy to collect research materials of permanent value that help us understand the history, culture, and environment of the area. And yes, that means the BDC collects materials about Hilton Head Island and other localities South of the Broad River.

Most folks don't realize that during much of the 18th and 19th centuries, Beaufort District covered all of Beaufort, Jasper and Hampton counties and a small segment of what is now Allendale County. Since our focus is primarily historical in nature, we tend to emphasize materials that focus on 1958 and before.

[Just so you know: In historical circles, something is "historic" at age 50 (which means that I am now "historic" as well!). Issues need to "shake down" for about 50 years before we can get a handle on most of the significance of an event. People, places and events around for less than 50 years tend to be termed "Current Events" in the field of History.]

In the greater scheme of historical events, then, the Town of Hilton Head Island is a newcomer at only 25 years old. [Compare this to the incorporation dates of 1803 for the City of Beaufort and 1852 for the Town of Bluffton.] The Town of Hilton Head Island was designed as a "limited services" town, primarily to wrest planning and development oversight from the Beaufort County government.

Beaufort County Library shares two excellent books about the founding of the Town of Hilton Head Island Evolution of a Town by Buzz Carlota (available at BDC, BLU and HHI) and Profits and Politics in Paradise : the Development of Hilton Head Island by Michael N. Danielson (available at BDC, BEA, and HHI).

We help researchers to go even deeper via the Ciehanski Papers. Nancy Ann Ciehanski gave Beaufort County Library her personal papers about the political climate surrounding the movement to create a new town in the southern part of Beaufort County. As the "forever" part of the Beaufort County Library, the Beaufort District Collection organized the Ciehanski papers for use by researchers visiting our facility -- with the assistance of a SC SHRAB grant in 2004. The collection illuminates Ciehanski's involvement with creating the Town of Hilton Head Island, including her service on the Beaufort County Joint Planning Commission and the first Municipal Town Council. She was also an active member of the League of Women Voters. Please contact us for details about access to the Ciehanski Papers.

For the more visually minded, we recommend the 25th anniversary video at the Town of Hilton Head Island Municipal Government website.

To round out your research celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Town of Hilton Head Island, we suggest that you come into the Beaufort District Collection and review the contents of the Hilton Head Island (town)--Government [BDC Vertical File].

As always, the Beaufort District Collection is willing to answer your questions about the materials we make available. Please call us at (843) 255-6468 or e-mail me at gracec@bcgov.net to learn more. -- gmc

The Beaufort District Collection is a division of the Beaufort County Library, a department of Beaufort County Government of South Carolina.

Last updated on April 13, 2020 by Kristi Marshall.