New Documentary about Fort Fremont, 1899 - 1921

The Friends of Fort Fremont are hosting showing of their new documentary at most of the Branch Libraries. You'll have four opportunities to view the movie as shown in the slide above. The documentary has been selected to show at the Archaeology Channel International Film Festival in Eugene, Oregon, May 3-6, 2018.

We have lots of materials about Fort Fremont here in the Beaufort District Collection. Drop by Mondays - Fridays 9 am to 5 pm to educate yourself about the role and history of this Army military installation.

October is Archaeology Month

During October each year we observe Archaeology Month, Archives Month, and Family History Month: three themes that the BDC has traditionally commemorated. Over the course of October, Connections will touch on each of these themes. Today's theme is Archaeology Month.

To be frank, Archaeology Month 2015 is different than all the previous Archaeology Months we've celebrated here at Beaufort County Library. For more than a decade, Ian Hill, Historic Preservationist in the Beaufort County Planning Department, and I coordinated Archaeology Month programs but he retired in June. His retirement along with a jam-packed October schedule of events, including the Centennial Celebration at Parris Island, the Arkhaois Film Festival, “Pat Conroy at 70” and a significant family event, took up most of the potential programming dates in October. 

Alas not all is lost. The Beaufort Chapter, Archaeology Society of South Carolina is still partnering with the BDC. Join us on Saturday, October 3^rd for the Third Annual “What the Heck Is It?” session. Bring your artifacts for identification by renowned South Carolina archaeologists, Dr. Jon Leader and Dr. Eric Poplin. The program begins at 10 am and ends at 1 pm. 

Our South of the Broad River colleagues in the Hilton Head Chapter, ASSC is holding their "What the Heck Is It?" session on Saturday, October 17th from 1 pm to 4 pm at Coastal Discovery Museum.


As mentioned above, the annual Arkhaois Cultural and Archaeology Film Festival gets underway at the Coligny Theatre on Hilton Head Island, Oct. 22 – Oct. 24. Among the films set for screening are ones about Beaufort County archaeology, Fort Frederick and Sea Island Secrets.    

All of these Archaeology Month events are free and open to the general public.

Drop by the BDC Research Room or one of our branch libraries to pick up a copy of the 2015 Archaeology Month poster, “Yemasee War: 1715-1717” while supplies last.  

Heads up: We have some adjustments to our customary public service schedule during October. The Research Room will be closed Noon to 1 pm Monday, Oct. 5; Friday, Oct. 9; and Monday, Oct. 12 for hourly staff to get lunch.  The Library system is closed all day Wed., Oct. 7th for Staff Development.  (10/01/2015 4:00pm - The SCAA Un-Conference originally scheduled for October 2nd has been postponed due to inclement weather. The Research Room will be open 10 am - 5 pm on Friday, Oct. 2nd after all). 

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.  

"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).

Archaeology Film Festival, Oct. 24 - 26

Archaeology is alive and well in Beaufort County as the two programs we've held with the Hilton Head Chapter, Archaeological Society of South Carolina and the Beaufort County Planning Department have indicated.  But there is something new and exciting this year - the Arkhaois Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival. 

Beaufort County is in for an extra special Archaeology Month treat, on October 24 - 26th, when the inaugural Arkhaois Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival kicks off at Coligny Theater on Hilton Head Island.  

Jean Guilleux, event founder announced there are several films that will be premiering at Arkhaios and the South Carolina Heritage film slots have been filled.

Guilleux says, ”We are pleased that so many SC film makers have shown interest in presenting their works on cultural, historical and archaeological subjects. The last movie shown each day is dedicated to South Carolina heritage. We will also have a daily audience participation vote for the Favorite Film of the Day.  All awards will be presented on Saturday , Oct. 26th at 5:45. All shows are free and open to the public.”

He adds that "We have many volunteers who are making this project flow on schedule and who are very generous with their time. We encourage our patrons to visit our Facebook page and website for updates.”


The festival schedule is online through the Coastal Discovery Museum website.  The Arkhaios Cultural Heritage and Archaeology Film Festival is on Facebook and will post updates on their Facebook page.  T
he page also displays  a video, trailer of the film, and a brief synopsis of each film.

Presenting sponsors include Coastal Discovery Museum, SC Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of the University of South Carolina, the Humanities CouncilSC, the Arts Council of South Carolina, the Archaeological Society of SC, and The Savannah River Archaeological Research Program.

Archaeology Month Programs

Beaufort County is fortunate to have many significant archaeological sites.  On September 23th, Beaufort County Council proclaimed October as "Archaeology Month." The following evening the City of Beaufort Council issued its Archaeology Month proclamation.

Ian Hill, the County Historic Preservationist, and I have been putting together archaeology month programs for almost a decade now.  This year we are very pleased to be collaborating with the Hilton Head Chapter of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina to highlight the significance of archaeology here in Beaufort County.   

Two of the Archaeology Month events are being held in the Beaufort District Collection, the library system’s special collections and archives unit.  On Tues., Oct. 15, archaeologist Helena Ferguson will talk about efforts to raise public awareness about the value of archaeology.  A few days later, on Saturday, Oct. 19, Dr. Jon Leader and Dr. Eric Poplin will identify objects for the public during the “What the Heck Is It?” session from Noon to 4 pm.  

· “Sharing Our Past” lecture by SCAPOD Co-founder Helena Ferguson

   Tues., Oct. 15, 2013

   Beaufort District Collection, 2d floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort 

   6:00—7:00 pm

· “What the Heck Is It?” relic identification with archaeologists 

   Dr. Jon Leader and Dr. Eric Poplin

   Sat., Oct. 19, 2013

   Beaufort District Collection, 2d floor, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort  

   Noon - 4:00 pm 

At the end of the month, Oct. 24-26, the inaugural Arkhaois Film Festival gets underway at the Coligny Theatre on Hilton Head Island.  The South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology, Coastal Discovery Museum, and the Humanities Council of South Carolina hope to turn this into an annual event on Hilton Head Island.  More than 30 films are set for screening.   

Each of these Archaeology Month events is free and open to the general public.   

We hope that you can come celebrate Archaeology Month with Beaufort County Library, Beaufort County Planning Department and the Hilton Head Chapter of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina.

Reminder: The Research Room will be closed Wed., Oct. 16th from Noon to 1 pm.  We will be open 10 - Noon and 1 - 5 pm that date.