October in the Archives - Upcoming BDC Programs

The BDC is busy, busy, busy this fall. But we think it's the "good" kind of busy, as we get to bring a variety of exciting programs to y'all! From archaeology to colonial history to eerie stories, the BDC has something for everyone in October.

At 2:00 PM on Saturday, October 3rd, the BDC and ASSC-HHC will be hosting our "What the Heck is It?" Artifact Identification Session at Hilton Head Branch. Are you curious about the history of something you found in your yard or purchased from an antique shop? Be sure to attend this drop-in session, where Brockington & Associates archaeologist Dr. Eric Poplin will be our Expert Archeologist on hand to analyze, identify and date your artifacts. (No Weapons Permitted!) 

Did Chris Allen's program on 16th Century maps spark your interest in Beaufort District during the "Age of Discovery?" Then you're in luck! Join the BDC and BCHS on October 8th at 11 AM for "16th Century Explorations and Settlements in Port Royal Sound" with Peggy Pickett at Bluffton Branch. Peggy will explain the motivations behind the Spanish and French colonies in the area, along with their reasons for abandoning them!

A reminder: The BDC and BCL will be closed on Monday, October 12th for our Staff Development Day. 

Later in the month, Cassandra will be hosting two ~spooky~ Local History programs. Pick your poison!

• Ghosts of Beaufort's Past - October 19th, 5:30pm @ Port Royal Branch.
• Come hear some spine-chilling tales of spirits and specters that that once stalked the Beaufort District. Be warned! Some of the stories might scare young patrons, so ages 12 and up are invited to attend this hair-raising program. Space is limited, so registration is required. Registration will open on October 1st in the BCL Calendar listing.
• Death in the Archives - October 23rd, 11:00am @ HHI Branch​.
• Deep within our archives, we have found stories of those gone-to-soon, legends of life-after-death, and some strange materials that might lead to our own untimely demise! Come learn about the dark of local history (with a focus on Hilton Head) and how to do your own research on the topic. Due to the subject matter, ages 18 and up are invited to attend this spine-chilling program.

Also, here's a little sneak-peek at what's coming in November!

• "Revolutionary Colonel William Harden," with Dik Daso - Thurs., November 5 @ 11 AM, Beaufort Branch.
• "Historic Black Businesses of Beaufort," with Chanda Powell - Mon., November 16 @ 2 PM, Beaufort Branch.

We can't wait to see y'all there!

Coming up in September: BDC Local History Programs

 Hello again friends! 

September is shaping up to be a calmer month. program-wise, for the BDC as we gear up for a very busy October. Let's hope our weather remains calm too, and no storms come ashore this year!

This month, we are looking forward to Raul Galvan's program, which will help the BDC ring-in this year's Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 - Oct. 15)!

Join the BDC and BHM for The Gonzalez-Elliott Family of Beaufort District, with Raul Galvan on Tuesday, September 15, at 2:00pm in the Beaufort Branch Library's Meeting Room.

Raul Galvan is a native of Havana, Cuba. He worked for 48 years in video production, retiring as Manager of Program Production for Milwaukee PBS in 2021. He was named to the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Chicago Chapter. He earned his Ph.D. in Global History from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee (UWM), with a concentration in Latin American History. His dissertation centered on 19th Century Cuban Transnationals. He has published numerous articles in academic journals, several op-ed pieces and a youth book. He has taught Latin American History at UWM and has accompanied numerous groups to Cuba. Raul and his wife Becky made Beaufort their home in July of 2024.

In this talk, Galvan will discuss the career of Col. Ambrosio Gonzales, who, after taking part in the 1850 filibustering expedition to liberate Cuba from the Spaniards, returns to the United States and eventually ends up in the Lowcountry to fight in the Civil War. While in South Carolina, he meets Harriett “Hattie” Elliott, the youngest daughter of Beaufort planter William Elliott III, and after a whirlwind romance, they are married in 1856. Hattie is 17, Gonzales is 37. At first, the Elliotts received Gonzales into the family warmly but as time passed, and the Civil War began, Gonzales struggled to spend time with his wife and the family. Hattie kept the family together.

The talk will also examine the relationship between Gonzales and the Elliott Family, his role in the Civil War, and the family’s struggles after the War. After the War Ambrosio moves most of the family to Cuba, where 29-year old Hattie dies young of yellow fever. After Hattie’s death Gonzales brings some of the children back to South Carolina where they lived with Hattie’s mother and sisters. Gonzales struggled to make a living for the remainder of his life. The Gonzales children grew up to be successful professionally - Narciso and Ambrose founded The State newspaper in Columbia, and the newspaper stayed in the family until 1986.

This local history program is co-sponsored by the Beaufort District Collection and the Beaufort History Museum. Doors open at 1:30 PM. As always, please check the BCL Calendar for any updates.

We look forward to seeing y'all there!

What to Expect in August 2026

Monthly Overview for August: The BDC has two local history programs scheduled this month. Chris Allen will share his passions for maps and the 16th century in “Beaufort Before Britain” at Hilton Head Branch Library on Thursday, August 20 at 11 AM. A few days later we jump forward several centuries with Dr. Chanda Powell's research about the “Historic Black Businesses of Beaufort” at Beaufort Branch Library on Monday, August 24 at 2 PM.

The Summer Reading Program and the BDC's role in the "Revealing the Revolution" challenge ended at 5 PM yesterday. We offer our thanks to all who participated in the BDC/Beaufort County Historical Society/ Beaufort County 250th challenge. Prizes should be in the mail from the BCHS to those who earned one very soon for the latest completers. We hope that you had a good time learning about this area's history during the War of Independence. Just please keep in mind that South Carolina's commemoration will not officially end until 2033 so there will likely be more Revolutionary War history in store for you through the BDC in the future.

Beginning mid-month the Research Room will be short-handed for a time. I have full faith that Cassandra and Sydney will keep sharing its wonders with you.

What to Expect in June 2026

The Library system begins its Summer Reading Program "Unearth a Story" which features dinosaurs and archaeology today. The BDC doesn't have much about dinosaurs but we do have a lot of archaeological reports to highlight. 

We're taking to the road to promote our "Revealing the Revolution" challenges. You'll see me at Bluffton Branch around 10 AM; Hilton Head Branch around Noon; and Beaufort Branch about 5 PM on June 1. On June 2, Cassi will visit Lobeco Branch about 10 AM and I will be out at St. Helena Branch around 5 PM. Cassi and Sydney will be going with the Bookmobile staff to the "Discover the Lowcountry" event on June 4. I am working a table at USCB's "South Carolina and the Road to Independence : Celebrating 250 Amazing American Years with Words, Music, and Cake" with Leah Roche of the Beaufort County Historical Society on June 6.  On June 9, Sydney will drop by the Port Royal Branch -- all of which to help get the word out about our signature project for BCL America250 and the Summer Reading Program 2026. 

Tendaji Bailey will bring the Wright-Campbell student cadre from HBCUs to visit the BDC on June 11.

The Library will be closed on June 19 for Juneteenth.

I'll talk about colonial period British resources in the Research Room on the evening of June 22 at Beaufort Branch. And since June is National Caribbean-American Heritage Month, and Barbadians founded Charles Towne and thereby South Carolina in 1670, expect to see some items related to that fact featured on the BDC's Facebook page this month.

The BDC crew will orient new Library employees to the system's special local history collection and archives unit on June 24.

On June 27, we'll be at Bluffton Branch to conduct the trivia contest on their Liberty & Legacy Day - with a rinse and repeat (of sorts) for Beaufort Branch's Liberty & Legacy Day on July 1. (I'll finally get to use the inauthentic colonial outfit I bought for Halloween at work! Yes!!)

What to Expect in May 2026

We have 3 local history programs set up this month to educate and entertain you: 

• About the political party politics of the Reconstruction Era with National Park Service Historian Eric Ellis on Thursday, May 14 at Beaufort Branch at 11 AM. This lecture is part of the joint BDC and Beaufort County Historical Society "Historically Speaking" series.
• About a forgotten colonial industry. Dr. Randy James, AKA "Dr. Dirt," will discuss the economic value and history of the cochineal beetle on Tuesday, May 19 at St. Helena Branch at 2 PM. This lecture ends Season 9 of the joint Beaufort County Library and Beaufort History Museum local history series coordinated by the BDC. 
• About a rather unknown intrepid Spaniard of the 16th century who was named Juan Pardo. Pardo  left Santa Elena - twice - to explore areas in the hinterland and their Native American inhabitants Archaeologist Dr. David Moore will discuss in particular Fort San Juan built by Pardo's troops that he has studied for many years. Please note: This session will be held at the Coastal Discovery Museum on Hilton Head Island at 11 AM on Thursday May 28. This lecture ends season 7 of the "Historically Speaking" series brought to you by the BDC and Beaufort County Historical Society.

And of course, you can sort of create a local history program of your own by participating in our Revealing the Revolution Challenge. There's an in-library or in-bookmobile version and a more deluxe version that allows you to travel throughout Beaufort County and Jasper County to see and learn about the American Revolution as it transpired in Beaufort District via historic markers placed along our roadways. Deadline to enter is July 2, 2026 so you still have plenty of time to play and learn.

Cassandra and I will be sitting down with representatives of the BCHS and BHM later this month to map out those respective series offerings for July 2026 - June 2027. There are a lot of moving parts and personalities involved with setting up a local history program, but even more when setting up a series of local history programs with partners. But we do it year after year because 1) we love learning about aspects of local history ourselves and 2) you keep attending our sessions year after year. (Thank you!) And we do have the results of the Library system's strategic plan survey that shows that at least 3100 Library users and non-users think that the system should have more evening and weekend programs and longer hours of operation. We will take those results into consideration as well - though to be perfectly honest, it has been our recent experience that we get far fewer people to attend our evening programs than our 11 AM or 2 PM ones. On the other hand, the evening and Saturday programs attract a different clientele which allows us to be a bit more creative. And sometimes, for us at least, it's less about butts in seats than being transparent about what the BDC has and does so that the public is adequately apprised of the full spectrum of BDC programs and services.     

We cannot do much with the topics on the Library's Marketing Calendar this month though Beaufort District has an interesting history regarding Memorial Day and later this month we'll provide you with some "Local History Books to Read in One Sitting." Instead we'll just emphasize our usual history related themes in May, mostly via our almost daily Facebook posts. For example, we'll finish National [Materials] Preservation Week on Saturday, May 2. (BTW: It's MayDay, the date upon which we cultural heritage professionals focus on emergency preparedness.) We feature National Postcard Week, May 3 - 9 on Facebook with Sydney's picks. You can also revisit her 2025 May display write-up about some of the postcards we have in the Research Room as a way of acknowledgement of the popular format. Cassi and I will highlight some historic structures during National [Historic] Preservation Month on Facebook as well. 

I hope to be able to get at least one of my long languishing posts finished and uploaded for you. At the moment it's a toss up whether that post will be the Reverend George Whitefield's visits to Beaufort in the 1700s or the remarkable journalism career of a child who was born out on Coosaw Island in the 1890s. I think that both topics are in the words of Laugh-In's Arte Johnson's "very interesting." I hope you will too. 

The only scheduled closure of the Library system this month will be Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day. As we get closer to the start of Hurricane Season 2026 on June 1 that could indeed change, though I have my fingers and toes crossed that I will retire without ever having to do any serious Hurricane Recovery activities.  

What to Expect in August 2025

It's hard to believe that we are now in the 8th month of the year 2025. 

Traditionally, August is hot and muggy - and often comes with a tropical system or two. In fact as I was updating my "Hurricanes of Beaufort District's Past" talk for the Palmetto Bluff Conservancy, I was repeatedly struck by how often the date of one of the storms impacting here fell into the final week of August. That happened in 1813, 1881, 1885, 1893, 1898, 1911 and 1952. I see a pattern. Do you? 

I have my fingers - and toes and legs -- crossed that I will be able to retire without having to do a hurricane disaster recovery effort to save as much of the BDC's materials as possible. We're as ready as we can be; but I'd really rather not have to put that training into use. 

As of this writing there are no scheduled closures of the Library system during August. But - and it's a big but -- we are entering the most active phase of Hurricane Season so be sure to monitor weather conditions. Any changes to the Library's schedule will be posted in a red banner along each and every page of the Library's website. 

Update: 9:30 AM - Unfortunately the West Point cadets working on the Fort Fremont Digital Project experienced travel delays so they had to cancel their visit to the Research Room this afternoon. We'll have to save the presentation we made for them about customary special collection and archival protocols and a brief tour of some of the BDC’s Fort Fremont related resources during their visit for another time. As of this writing, the Panel Discussion scheduled for Sunday, August 3, is still "on." 

The BDC is "On the Road" a lot during August. We hope that you can join us for: 

Sunday, August 3, 2025 – Panel Discussion about Fort Fremont Findings by West Point Cadets with Dr. James Shinn as moderator. This rare-for-the-BDC Sunday event is brought to you by the Friends of Fort Fremont, United States Military Academy, the Beaufort County Historical Society and the BDC. Meet us at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal at 3 PM. 

Thursday, August 7, 2025 –In honor of National Lighthouse Day, local author Ted Panayotoff will share his book about the Hunting Island Lighthouse at St. Helena Branch Library at 2 PM.

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - "In the Eye of the Storm” will feature personal accounts left behind by the survivors of the Hurricane of 1893. Session 1 is at Hilton Head Branch Library at 1 PM.  Hilton Head has a big meeting space and can seat up to 120 people. One does not need to register for Session 1.  

Thursday, August 28, 2025 – I will repeat “In the Eye of the Storm” at Port Royal Branch Library at 5 PM – but because of the small size of the Port Royal Branch Library, folks should register to attend. Registration will open August 14, 2025.

Two of the local history programs will impact our Research Room schedule this month as staff will have to be other places delivering services. Accordingly, the BDC will close at Noon on Thursday, August 7th so that we can present the Lighthouse program at St. Helena Branch Library. Because traveling to and from Hilton Head Branch requires more time, the Research Room will be closed  beginning at 10:45 AM on Wednesday, August 27th. 

The Fort Fremont panel discussion is on a Sunday - which shouldn't affect the public facing Research Room schedule. Nor should session 2 of "In the Eye of the Storm" as it starts at 5 pm. The Port Royal Branch is only a few miles away from the BDC's Research Room. It has a very small meeting room so there won't be a lot of room arrangement. Thus, I'll leave my staff to woman the Research Room while I set up, deliver, and put everything back to rights at Port Royal Branch on August 28th.

Local history programs are mere flashes in a pan whereas preservation of historic materials is meant to last for a century. When I started offering Local History programs, I intentionally designed them to highlight and complement resources we make available through the Library's special local history collection and archives unit in hopes that the unit's reputation within the community at large and with potential researchers would be raised. That goal has been a constant throughout my career here. It will remain my goal until I turn in my County badge. 

While I like to coordinate local history programs, doing so takes up a lot of time. Sometimes I have to remind myself and others that the primary responsibility of the BDC is to acquire, protect and share resources related to the long and storied history of Beaufort District's people, places, events and themes so that researchers can find useful materials inside our facility. BDC staff  do our best to practice good stewardship, describe and prepare materials for use by humans, and support historical investigations into the past inside the Research Room - and coordinate local history programs of the highest quality to highlight those materials when possible. We would love to tell you more about how to do research in our facility. Please reach out to us: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468 to discuss.

What to Expect in February 2025

The shortest month of the year is often one of the BDC's busiest. It definitely is in 2025. 

In case you didn't complete your Winter Reading during the recent wintry weather, there's still time. We're half way through the Winter Reading Program and we have plenty of reading suggestions to share. Go for "Short" books with titles on the flyer:  

But if you want to explore local history topics in more depth, we suggest that you take a look at the BDCBCL: Links, Lists and Finding Aids blog. Here are just a few of the topics with some book recommendations: 

• Spanish Legacy in Beaufort District
• Battle of Port Royal Ferry, 1862
• Bootlegging
• Crime, Murder, and Mayhem ... and much more

It's Black History Month. All the "Uniquely BDC" will feature items about Gullah history on Facebook in addition to our customary "Black History Note Wednesday" posts. You could choose some of the titles from the Gullah Culture flyer shown below to honor Black History Month and complete the 6 hours of reading benchmark for the Winter Reading Program.  (Just saying - or writing -- in this particular case.)

Or you can take a deeper drive into these Gullah related topics on the BDCBCL: Links, Lists and Finding Aids blog in honor of Black History Month - and still find more than 6 hours of reading's worth of choices to complete the Winter Reading Program:  

• Praise Houses in Gullah Religious and Social Practices
• Understanding Hags in Sea Island Culture
• Sweetgrass Baskets in the Lowcountry  ... and much more

February happens to be National Library Lovers Month, too. Libraries and librarians of all stripes have been under a lot of stress in the past few years so we particularly embrace (figuratively, not physically - since that could get us in even more hot water) all you Library Lovers out there.

We celebrate Valentine's Day with a change of Research Room decorations and a "Love in the Archives" Connections post - both by our newest staff member, Sydney. One thing that she's done since her arrival in November is to select an item from our holdings, create a surrogate, and then feature it near the Researcher Registration book. It's a nice touch. I've decided that she should continue the practice going forward. 

Even though the Library will be closed on February 17, 2025 for Presidents' Day, I've written some posts about US Presidents who have visited Beaufort District and Beaufort County in the past that you could read as part of your observance of the holiday.

BDC staff will be meeting, greeting, and sharing information about the autobiographical and memoirs present in the BDC in the USC Performing Arts Center lobby at the February 10th Friends of the Beaufort Library Books Sandwiched In session. The featured book Black Boy by Richard Wright will be presented by Jeffery Blount.  

Programs-wise: The BDC has 4 local history programs scheduled this month. We're covering topics from the American Revolution to current digital offerings by the BCL in February. I have a particularly fond spot in my heart (See how I sneaked a seasonal Valentine's Day reference in?) for the BDC's own Cassandra Knoppel who will share some of the treasures and challenges she's had processing archival collections over the past 6 months on Wednesday February 19th. For those who came to her presentation in July, Cassi is talking about different collections this time - so please feel free to join us again.

We're also working on re-scheduling the 3 programs that got cancelled in January. As soon as those details get finalized, we will announce the new dates.

January 2025 Overview

To begin 2025 we suggest that you look back to 1863 and that Day of Jubilee, Emancipation Day. Read first person accounts of all that happened on that Red Letter Local History day in elsewhere in this blog.

Please resolve to participate in one BDC local history program this coming year. We do our best to arrange educational experiences about a variety of local history topics at the larger branch libraries in the system. Our local history programs for 2025 come fast and furiously beginning January 16th. You can read more about what's on offer in the Connections post made on 16 December 2024.

As a heads up: The Library system will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025 in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.

What to Expect in October 2024

October is always one of the busiest months of the year in the BDC. We celebrate Archives Month, Archaeology Month, Family History Month, Gullah Geechee Heritage Month and half of Hispanic Heritage Month in the tenth month of the Gregorian calendar. Expect to see social media posts about each of these topics. 

We have a lot of "stuff" to do: a mandatory County training; 2 community outreach efforts; 4 local history programs; and the semi-annual Library Staff Training Day on October 14th. In addition to our regular duties and working with Research Room customers, we're still trying to find the right person to join the BDC team by reviewing applications and setting up interviews.

Programs on our schedule: 

October 5 - "What the HECK Is It?: Artifact identification" at Hilton Head Branch Library with the Hilton Head Chapter, Archaeological Society of South Carolina

October 10 - Past & Present: BCL's Digital Collections - Our first program at the new Port Royal Branch Library 

October 15 - "History of the BJWSA" session #1 with Tricia Kilgore; BHM/BCL Local History series Season 8.1A at St. Helena Branch Library

October 22 - "History of the BJWSA" session #2 with Tricia Kilgore; BHM/BCL Local History series Season 8.1B at Bluffton Branch Library

As of this writing, Research Room closures related to these efforts will occur on Thursday, October 3rd, Monday, October 14th, Tuesday, October 15th and Tuesday, October 22nd. But other unexpected closures can occur due to inclement weather (we're still in Hurricane Season) and staff shortage. 

Overview of September 2024

• "September showed up right on schedule, and lasted a whole month." -Jenny Wingfield

In addition to our usual duties, the BDC has three local history programs planned this month - one north of the Broad; and two south of the Broad.

On Thursday, September 5th Larry Koolkin opens the "Historically Speaking" series with a talk about Jacques Le Moyne.

As you may recall, Tropical Storm Debby required some schedule adjustment on our part. We had to reschedule one local history program - and now those arrangements have been made. Learn about the fascinating history of the Hunting Island Lighthouse and the people who kept the light on in the darkness through all weathers from authors Theodore Panayotoff and Linda Miller of the Friends of Hunting Island. 

Theodore ("Ted") Panayotoff has been involved with lighthouses most of his life. When he relocated to Beaufort in 2016, this former Naval Officer took on the Directorship of the Lighthouse Committee of the Friends of Hunting Island State Park and has continued his research about the structure ever since - and now there's a lovely book. 

The Hilton Head Chapter of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina has let us join them in co-sponsoring a session about the Ford's Shell Ring Project on Hilton Head Island. Some of you may recall that archaeologist Jeff Sherard of Brockington & Associates spoke about shell rings and shell middens before the COVID pandemic. He'll be back - this time at the Hilton Head Branch Library - to discuss an archaeological mystery of sorts: Why is Ford's Shell Ring shaped in an unusual figure 8?

 

Because of the local history programs - and concomitant travel, set up and take down time involved - and the continuing staff shortage, the Research Room will be closed to walk-in customers on Thursday, September 5th and Tuesday, September 24th.  There will also be some lunchtime closures as well.

There will be fewer than usual "Uniquely BDC" and "Black History Note" posts this month because I'm taking some time off this month. This also means that the BDC will be closed Noon to 1 PM for Cassandra to get her lunch break while I am away -- which is why it still behooves potential researchers to make an appointment to come to the BDC.

Given that the BDC is a historical collection, we will highlight materials we have related to local historic aspects of Hispanic Heritage Month from mid-September into mid-October.

September is Library Card Sign up Month. If you don't have one, you are missing out on the best deal in America. Sign-up today!

Tomorrow is Labor Day and the Library will be closed. Cassandra and I will return to work on Tuesday. We'll do our best to respond to any incoming voice mails or emails that come in over the long weekend. All units of the Library system resume regular hours on Tuesday.

BDC Monthly Overview for August 2024

Latest update: 5 August 2024 10 AM

The Up Here Author Book Talk with Ted Panayotoff is postponed due to inclement weather. We will reschedule. Stay safe. - gmc

We do so hope that you enjoyed your Library adventures during Summer Reading Program 2024. Though SRP has ended, our own quest to bring local history to the residents and visitors of Beaufort County continues. 

We're excited about introducing the new Port Royal Branch staff to the array of BDC services and programs on August 1st. 

We have two local history programs set for this month. 

1) We're on the road to Hilton Head Branch Library on Tuesday, August 6th to host an author book talk about the history of the Hunting Island Lighthouse. We do so hope that you'll be able to start your National Lighthouse Day celebration with us. Theodore ("Ted") Panayotoff has been involved with lighthouses most of his life. When he relocated to Beaufort in 2016, this former Naval Officer took on the Directorship of the Lighthouse Committee of the Friends of Hunting Island State Park and has continued his research about the structure ever since. Come learn about the fascinating history and steadfast keepers of one of Beaufort County's most recognized and beloved landmarks. 

This free local history program will be first come; first seated. Doors will
open for seating at 12:30 PM. The Author Book Talk is scheduled to begin at 1 PM. 

Because of the local history program - and the amount of travel, set up and take down time involved, the Research Room will be closed to walk-in customers on August 6th. 

2) On the evening of August 28, I will do the latest version of my talk about the Great Sea Island Hurricane at the Beaufort Branch. That meeting room has a capacity of 90 people, somewhat quashed in. 

First come, first seated and we'll open the doors for seating at 5 PM. Program starts at 5:30 PM.  

If you haven't caught this well-used lecture before, or if you haven't heard it within the past 3 years (it changes a bit every time), then you may want to try to catch it this time. It will be the last "showing" in 2024. 

BTW: We'll stop accepting walk-ins at 3:30 PM on August 28th as we'll need to set up the Beaufort Meeting Room for the "Tide of Death" lecture. 

Otherwise, we'll just be tootling along with regular tasks, our projects, and doing our best to help you discover more about Beaufort District's history through time via our collections, our social media, and our program offerings. 

We hope to have a new BDC Circulation Assistant on the job soon. And in case you've missed the announcement, Port Royal Branch Library will be opening on Wed., August 21st. Grand Opening ribbon cutting will be on Saturday, August 24th. Get the details on the Library's website.  

What to Expect from the BDC During July 2024

As it just so happens to be Monday, July 1, 2024, here's what you can expect from the BDC this month: You have until July 31 to complete the Summer Reading Program. We hope that you've been participating. But even if you start today, you still have time to do 20 minutes worth of reading for the next 30 days.

The Library will be closed on Thursday, July 4th for Independence Day.

We have two programs scheduled to help you complete activities in the Super Reader Bonus Round of the Summer Reading Program:

1) Wed., July 24 5:30 PM at Beaufort Branch Meeting Room - Cassandra will share some of her adventures so far in the BDC &

2) Mon., July 29 10 AM at the Fort Frederick Historic Site - Archaeologist Meg Gaillard will give us a tour. (Note: Transportation is on your own.)

Today also happens to be the start of our fiscal year, so it's a great day to make a change in an usual practice. Henceforth if the first of the month happens to fall on a Materials Monday (like today) or on a Black History Note Wednesday, the only Facebook post I make will be the monthly overview. Accordingly, "Uniquely BDC in SRP 2024" will return on July 8th.

What to Expect in June 2024

Summer Reading Program 2024 kicks off on Saturday, June 1 with events at all the Branch Libraries. The BDC's participation is more low key. We'll be pointing out from time to time how the BDC has and does "adventure" but we won't have prizes or give out reading cards. However, I do think that it's cool that the gameboard is a map of Beaufort County. Learn more on the Summer Reading 2024 page on the Library's website.

We are emphasizing "adventure" themed materials in our display case during the months of June and July. Expect a post and photos about my selections later. 

After such a vigorous 11 months of programs, behind-the-scenes tours, and community events, we are taking a bit of a break. Therefore, the BDC has only one local history program scheduled for June. "Then & Now, Bluffton Library Services: An Adventure Through Time" is a joint program brought to you by the BDC and Debra Henderson of the Bluffton Branch's Reference staff. We hope that you'll be able to join us on Saturday, June 22nd at Bluffton Branch for it.

The BDC will be closed on Thursday June 27th on account of a long planned "adventure" to Daufuskie Island to offer advice about materials preservation. 

The BDC has a job opening. Details are on the Beaufort County government website in case you might be interested in applying for what could be the worst paid - but most interesting - job you'll ever have. 

What to Expect in May 2024

The month of May in the BDC should be more mellow than April.

We're in the midst of Preservation Week 2024, a topic near and dear to my heart - and to my work. Don't forget to read Cassi's Connections blog post about her display.

We are co-hosting Nancy Thode and Stacey Ahner on Friday, May 3rd. Their mother, Ann Head, is being inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Writers that weekend. Check for any remaining seats.

Jalen will be switching the BDC display case to "Shipwrecks" and underwater archaeology on or about May 6 - 9.

By tradition, the first full week in May is National Postcard Week which makes it May 5 - 11 this year. My personal preference for taking care of postcards has not changed so review what I wrote in this blog on May 3, 2021 and perhaps enjoy the digital Arnsberger Collection. We have other postcard collections but you'll have to come to see those in the Research Room. If you would like to see the other postcard collections, I strongly suggest that you make an appointment first: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468.

On May 10th, some of my program partners and I will begin planning for the September 2024 - May 2025 season.

On May 16th, the Beaufort County Historical Society, Hilton Head Chapter, Archaeological Society of South Carolina and the BDC host archaeologist Jim Spirek about what's in and under Port Royal Sound.

The Library will be closed on Monday, May 27th in honor of Memorial Day.

I'm taking a few days off this month but Jalen and Cassi will be here to assist in-room customers while I am away.