BDC's Programs & Outreach: Past & Upcoming

We just received our latest promotional device - the yard sign shown to the right that says "Beaufort District Collection Local History Program Beaufort County Library Event Today!" -- which has reminded me to share some statistics with you about this past season and to share some information about upcoming BDC local history programs. Going forward, be sure to look for this sign at the location where a BDC Local History Program is occurring.

Before I retire I want to state categorically and without any reservations that I have enjoyed crafting many seasons of local history programs over the years - perhaps too much at times. Because program planning and coordination is hard and very time consuming, doing so much of it did indeed come at a cost to other necessary BDC tasks. I hope that from your vantage point, it has looked easy. But trust me on this: A lot of behind-the-scenes coordination has to take place to create and deliver meaningful local history library-based programs to you.

FY 2026 : July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026

First here are some statistics related to our most recent program and outreach efforts. For the past several years, I've said that the BDC has outdone itself with programs and outreach efforts. And I'll say it again for FY 2026: The BDC staff outdid ourselves for the July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026 period!

The BDC sponsored 34 programs inside a library facility. We are thankful for the time and talents of Ted Panayotoff, Mike Reynolds, Dr. George B. "Barney" Forsythe, Dr. Raul Galvan, Leah Roche, Dr. Jon Leader, Peggy Pickett, Tom Vaselopulos, Neil Baxley, Rich Thomas, Dr. Brenda Litchfield, Dr. Mollie Barnes, John Fisher, Katie Epps, Eric Ellis and Dr. Randy James. Nor could we have done these programs without the assistance of our partners, viz. Beaufort County Historical Society, Beaufort History Museum, Beaufort County 250th Committee, Friends of Fort Fremont, and the Hilton Head Chapter of the Archaeological Society of South Carolina as co-sponsors.

All BDC programs are designed to deliver the message that the BDC has some "really cool stuff" that you just might want to come review in our Research Room - but particularly so when staff research and present local history and archival programs. We were in a pretty vigorous program presenting mode last year. Cassi presented programs about archival related matters three times. Sydney did her first BDC program about "Poems and Postcards." I did some reprises about the Hurricane of 1893 and introduced three new presentations, one about why Lafayette came to Beaufort in 1825, one a discussion about materials and collections relating to the dead in the BDC and one about the colonial history of Beaufort District. In other words, the BDC staff was stretching our competencies and exposing others to some "really cool stuff" within the BDC that you may not have know about.

I also prepared a "Liberty & Legacy Trivia" three rounds of thirteen questions contest for Bluffton Branch and later in July (and therefore a new fiscal year) for Beaufort Branch as part of the Library's America250 project - mostly because I have to demonstrate that I can be a good team player from time to time. Indeed, it would be fair to say there were some pretty specific questions asked about Beaufort District's role during the American Revolution that arose from our own past Revolutionary War programs and posts to the BDC's social media platforms.

We prepared three orientations and behind-the-scenes tours for college students -- Dr. James Shinn's class at USCB, the Campbell-Wright interns from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and for the Military Academy cadre from West Point - which unfortunately experienced travel delays so the cadets were unable to attend. We held two orientation and behind-the-scenes tours for Library employees. Each orientation and tour was at least partially specific to the interests of the group members in attendance though some of the basic information about BDC materials and services was the same.

In addition BDC staff in various configurations were active participations at 19 community events that resulted in interactions with 2762 of our community members.

• We bookended our fiscal year at artistic performances. We began in July 2025 by tabling at both performances of "Da Gullah American Revolutionary Experience" and ended it at USCB Chamber Music's "South Carolina and the Road to Independence," a combined lecture and concert commemorating the state's Revolutionary War history on June 6, 2026 where Leah Roche (Beaufort County Historical Society) and I promoted the "Revealing the Revolution" scavenger hunt challenge.
• We met a group for a BDC coordinated guided tour of the Beaufort National Cemetery with Bonnie Mucia.
• We tabled at two military re-enactments, one about the American Revolution and the other about the Civil War at the Beaufort History Museum.
• I spoke at Palmetto Bluff, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute North and May River Landing Senior Living Facility, each time using BDC materials as the base for the presentations. Unfortunately, illness prevented me from presenting a genealogy session at the Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era this year - which made me sad but hacking deeply through a presentation would not have benefited anyone.
• We tabled at our first ever "Fort Fremont Fall Festival" and Sun City's "Discovering the South Carolina Lowcountry Day" events.
• With our partners we also participated in lectures held off-site at Coastal Discovery Museum (Thank you Dr. David Moore) and at St. Mark's Episcopal Church (Thank you West Point cadets) with our friends of the Beaufort County Historical Society and Friends of Fort Fremont.
• We attended meetings of the Beaufort Female Benevolent Society and Clover Club to share BDC news and notes.
• We promoted the BDC materials and services relating to the local seafood industry at the Friends of the Beaufort Library's Books Sandwiched In series.

Now can you understand why I wrote that the BDC staff has outdone ourselves yet again?

FY 2027: July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027

Active planning for this year's local history programs has long been underway. We've kept a running list of suggestions from folks attending our programs, brainstormed topics and potential speakers, held meetings with our series and one-off partners to discuss what we can do jointly, decided what we should do separately, and what more may be needed to maintain the quality of what we sponsor so that you will keep coming back to learn about the depth and scope of Beaufort District's long and storied history.

As Connections readers may recall, I assigned Cassandra the logistics of one program start to finish in Fall 2025 to wet her feet in the realm of library programming. She honed her teeth doing the logistics for all the Spring sessions in 2026 - where she definitely learned the complexity of planning local history programs around the various tax volunteer sessions at the branch libraries, the challenges and benefits of partners, the issues that can arise with presenting local history programs for the public, etc.

At least three months out, the BDC finishes all the Library meeting room reservations, creates and distributes marketing pieces, and gets the program posted to the Library system calendar. This includes the nitty-gritty logistics of program titles, blurbs, and speaker biographies and photos - the securing of which can prove a bit problematic from time to time. Then there are the reminders we send to you via the Local History Newsletter and The Current monthly newsletter and other parties strategically involved for a particular program, a final check of the A-V equipment a few days ahead of the scheduled event and then comes a whole lot of finger-crossing that all goes as planned without any surprises. 

Cassi crafted the BDC's FY 2027 roster - since the "show must go on" regardless of who becomes my successor. Since July 1 is the start of Fiscal Year 2027 for the Library and for the BDC, we started our FY 2027 local history program offerings earlier this month:

• "Liberty & Legacy Trivia" session 2 at Beaufort Branch on July 1
• "Travel Narratives about the Gullah-Geechee" with Dr. Malik Raymond on July 7 (Thank you, Dr. Raymond).

As has been our practice, we try for a mix of time periods, topics, and locations to address the different segments of the BDC's history nerds base. With the 500th anniversary of Spain's presence in the New World (and in Beaufort) drawing nigh, two programs highlight 16th century history. If by chance we were to neglect the Civil War and Reconstruction eras we'd likely be pilloried so there are two programs for those time periods on the upcoming roster. The BDC's archival resources are the focus in October for Archives Month. We revisit the American Revolution in November focusing on the military career of one Continental Officer. We offer a little architectural history about a beloved site in December. Topics-wise: We'll cover cartographic, economic, military, genealogical, and architectural history as well as folklore and archival resources in the first half. Locations-wise: The BDC will hold programs at four of the six branch libraries during this segment of the roster with three of the programs being offered south of the Broad River.

Cassandra has posted the programs for August through December on the Library system calendar and clicked the "Program type" for "Local History" check box so that you will know that the following are local history programs sponsored by the BDC are being offered.

Thursday, August 20, 2026 - "Beaufort Before Britain : How Beaufort was placed on European World Maps" with Chris Allen | BDC@ Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road | 2 PM | No registration required. Seating begins at 1:30 PM | Co-sponsored by the BDC and Beaufort County Historical Society

Monday, August 24, 2026 - "Historic Black Businesses of Beaufort" with Dr. Chanda Powell, National Park Service | BDC@ Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street | 2 PM | No registration required. Seating begins at 1:30 PM | Co-sponsored by the BDC and Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce.

Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - "The Gonzalez-Elliott Family of Beaufort District" with Dr. Raul Galvan | BDC@ Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street | 2 PM | No registration required. Seating begins at 1:30 PM | Co-sponsored by the BDC and Beaufort History Museum.

Thursday, October 8, 2026 - "16th Century Explorations and Settlements in Port Royal Sound" with Peggy Pickett | BDC@ Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way | 11 AM | No registration required. Seating begins at 10:30 AM | Co-sponsored by the BDC and Beaufort County Historical Society.

Monday, October 19, 2026 - "Tales from the Crypt : Ghosts of Beaufort's Past" with Cassandra Knoppel | BDC@ Port Royal Branch Library, 1408 Paris Avenue | 5:30 PM | Registration required. Seating begins at 5 PM.

Friday, October 23, 2026 - "Tales from the Crypt : Death in the Archives" with Cassandra Knoppel | BDC@ Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Road | 11 AM | No registration required. Seating begins at 10:30 AM.

Thursday, November 5, 2026 - "Revolutionary Colonel William Harden" with Dik Daso | BDC@ Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street | 11 AM | No registration required. Seating begins at 10:30 AM | Co-sponsored by the BDC and Beaufort County Historical Society.

Tuesday, December 8, 2026 - "History of the Arsenal" with Amelie Cromer and Brenda Litchfield | BDC@ Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street | 2 PM | No registration required. Seating begins at 1:30 PM | Co-sponsored by the BDC and Beaufort History Museum.

The January - June 2027 roster has yet to be finalized as of this writing. For a full schedule of library events, please visit the Library calendar. If you filter the program type to "Local History" you'll get to see the full schedule for BDC programs and events as 2027 programs are made available.

Please note well: Sometimes, though thankfully not often, there are unexpected circumstances that can cause a postponement or cancellation of a local history program close to or even on program day. The Library calendar is your go-to for such circumstances. This is more likely to happen in September and October as we enter the statistically highest and traditional period for hurricanes in this area. Be sure to check it close to the date of a scheduled program for any updates. 

Words to the wise: BDC staff will do what we can within room and equipment limitations to make the experience enlightening and comfortable for you but equipment fails. Please bring a sweater to one of our local history programs just in case the room is too cool for you and/or wear your hearing aids (should you have them) in case all goes cattywampus on program day.

There's a lot of hard work, logistical challenges, and relationship building involved with each and every BDC local history program. We have to do the same amount of preparation and logistical steps whether we get one attendee or 100 attendees. Please know that BDC staff are very grateful when you take your valuable time to attend any BDC program to learn more about any facet of Beaufort District's long and storied history. Thank you for your support across all the years.

Reading Suggestions about Party Politics during the Reconstruction Era

One of the findings from the Library's strategic plan survey responses was that customers wanted staff to offer more book recommendations. Though I admit that most likely those customers wanted book recommendations about the latest fiction and their read-alikes, I am going to interpret that finding to include requests for more recommendations about local history nonfiction, particularly when we have some good titles to suggest to you as supplemental reading related to the BDC's  local history program presentations. 

National Park Service Historian Ranger Eric Ellis gave a great talk about the political divisions of the Beaufort Republican party last week. As he noted, the Republican Party was in control during most of the Reconstruction Period until it split into various factions. In 1874 Democrats changed their election tactics, disrupting Republican political rallies and cutting political deals with Republican splinter groups to secure local and state offices. 

Here are a few recommended books from the BDC or SCLENDS consortium about the rough and tumble, oftentimes violent - but fascinating - political history of South Carolina's Reconstruction Era and its impact on and at the national level : 

Black Over White : Negro Political Leadership in South Carolina during Reconstruction by Thomas Holt. Urbana : University of Illinois Press, 1977. 

The Southern Historical Association awarded this book its 1978 Charles S. Syndor Prize as recognition of Holt's scholarship combining quantitative analysis with narrative history to challenge myths about the power and political effectiveness of Reconstruction-era Black politicians in the Palmetto State. 

The Bloody South Carolina Election of 1876 : Wade Hampton III, the Red Shirt Campaign for Governor and the End of Reconstruction by Jerry L. West. Jefferson, NC : McFarland, 2011. 

Contentious political campaigns are nothing new. This book examines the gubernatorial election of 1876, in which the state's most celebrated Civil War general created a united front in the Democratic Party and wrested control of politics from the Republicans. Of particular note are the ways in which the race, with its disqualified ballots, delays and wrangling, prefigured some elections in the 2000s. For four months, the state endured two warring Houses of Representatives. Two Black Beaufort County men, Thomas Hamilton and N.B. Myers crossed the aisle to join the Wallace House in support of Hampton to secure his governorship. 

Gullah Statesman : Robert Smalls from Slavery to Congress, 1839 - 1915 by Edward A. Miller, Jr. Columbia : University of South Carolina Press, 1995. Available in print and as an e-book on Hoopla. 

A native of Beaufort, South Carolina, Robert Smalls was born into slavery but through acts of remarkable courage and determination became the first African American hero of the Civil War and one of the most influential African American politicians in South Carolina history. I consider this one of the most important secondary works about Smalls. It is a political biography of his triumphs and setbacks of the celebrated U.S. congressman and advocate of compulsory, desegregated public education. 

Hampton and His Red Shirts : The Story of South Carolina's Deliverance in 1876 by Alfred B. Williams. Charleston, SC : Walker, Evans and Cogswell Company, 1935. 

The author was a newspaper man who argued that the "carpetbagger" government that ruled South Carolina from 1868 until it was overthrown in 1876 was corrupt and caused more destruction than the four years of the Civil War. More recent scholarship has challenged Williams' views. Hathitrust provides a digital copy online. 

Hurrah for Hampton! : Black Red Shirts in South Carolina during Reconstruction by Edmund L. Drago. Fayetteville : University of Arkansas Press, 1998. 

Drago takes a more balanced view of the Reconstruction Era to examine the motives and concerns of the former enslaved who supported a movement that eventually led to the return of white supremacy in the Palmetto State. Though most of the freedmen identified and supported the Republican party, Drago focused on the primary source testimonies before Congress of seven Black conservatives who joined the white paramilitary clubs termed the "Red Shirts" who supported the election of former Confederate general Wade Hampton in the governor's race in 1876. He also includes analysis of eleven slave narratives to explore the relationship between Black initiative and southern paternalism. 

Rebellion, Reconstruction, and Redemption, 1861 - 1893 by Stephen R. Wise and Lawrence S. Rowland. Columbia : University of South Carolina Press, 2015.    

I consider the three volumes series on the history of Beaufort County by Lawrence S. Rowland and others as "The Bible of Local History."  Volume 2 explores how the Union victory and the political and social Reconstruction of South Carolina was followed by a counterrevolution called Redemption, the organized campaign of Southern whites, defeated in the war, to regain supremacy over African Americans. While former slave-owning, anti-black "Redeemers" took control of mainland Beaufort County, they were thwarted on the Sea Islands, where African Americans retained power and kept reaction at bay. By 1893, elements of both the New and Old South coexisted uneasily side by side as the Democratic mainland reverted to an agricultural-based economy while the Republican Sea Islands and the town of Beaufort underwent an economic boom based on the phosphate mining industry and the new commercial port in the Lowcountry town of Port Royal.

Requiem for Reconstruction : Black Countermemory and the Legacy of The Lowcountry's Lost Political Generation by Robert D. Bland. Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, 2026.  

Bland "explores how Black Americans born in the thirty years between 1840 and 1870 saw Reconstruction as a defining political movement and worked to preserve its legacy by formulating new archives, shaping local community counternarratives, and using the Black press to preserve and circulate Reconstruction's meaning to a national audience." 

South Carolina in the Civil War and Reconstruction Eras : Essays from the Proceeding of the South Carolina Historical Association edited by Michael Brem Bonner and Fritz P. Hamer. Columbia : University of South Carolina Press, 2016. 

This is an anthology of twenty-three of the most enduring and important scholarly articles about the Civil War and Reconstruction era published in the peer-reviewed journal since 1931. The volume is divided by topic into five subsections: "The Politics of Secession and Civil War"; "On the Battlefront"; "On the Home Front."; "Emancipation, Race, and Society"; and "The Politics of Reconstruction." 

State of Rebellion : Reconstruction in South Carolina by Richard Zuczek. Columbia : University of South Carolina Press, 2009. Also available as an e-book on Hoopla.

The author recounts the volatile course of Reconstruction in the state that experienced the longest, largest, and most dynamic federal presence in the years immediately following the Civil War in this book.  He details the tactics - from judicial and political fraud to economic coercion, terrorism, and guerrilla activity - employed by conservatives to nullify the African American vote, control African American labor, and oust northern Republicans from the state. He documents the federal government's attempt to quash the conservative challenge but shows that, by 1876, white opposition was so unified, widespread, and well-armed that it passed beyond government control. 

To Rescue the Republic : Ulysses S. Grant, the Fragile Union and the Crisis of 1876 by Bret Baier. New York : Custom House, 2021.

Fox News Channel's Chief Political Anchor provides a history of Grant's essential yet underappreciated role in preserving the United States during a period of great political division. The book is available in print, large print, and audio CD through SCLENDS as well as on Hoopla as an audio book and as an e-book.  

If you happen to be more of a watcher than a reader, then I suggest that you take a look at "The Rise and Fall of Reconstruction in South Carolina" with Dr. Brent Morris, a COVID-era recording we made when all was shut down five years ago. The information Dr. Morris provides is very helpful to understanding what happened in the Palmetto State between approximately 1865 and 1880. If you want to skip the introduction and get straight to his lecture, begin around the 5-minute mark. 

Reminder: All units of the Beaufort County Library will be closed Monday, May 25 in honor of Memorial Day.

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.  

Drum Roll Please: Materials Monday on Facebook Theme for 2026

Way back in late 2019, I decided to turn my Facebook posts on Mondays into themed "Materials Monday" posts to give myself a framework and coherence to the content. I had goals: 1) I wanted a theme that would show the depth and scope of the BDC's holdings. 2) I wanted a theme that could cover a variety of topics and/or cover a number of historical periods. 3) I wanted a theme that I would offer me some research possibilities to expand upon (perhaps) in the BDC's blogs or serve as a basis for a future BDC program or event. In other words, I wanted a theme that could capture my interests as well as yours.

Here's a list of the yearly themes so far: 

• 2020 - "New" appears in the title or subtitle
• 2021 -- Letters
• 2022 -- "50 Shades of Beige"
• 2023 -- "Uniquely BDC" - titles, items or services that only the BDC has or does
• 2024 -- "Uniquely BDC' year 2
• 2025 -- "Uniquely BDC" year 3 

Even though there are more Uniquely BDC titles, items or services that I could highlight until retirement, I've decided that it is time for a switch of themes and to limit the time period to just one historical period. 

Imagine a drum roll here if you will. 

In consultation with Cassandra and Sydney, the BDC's Materials Monday theme on the BDC's Facebook page for 2026 is Independence (Mon)Day. 

Accordingly, the theme adopted for 2026 is to show the depth and scope of the BDC's holdings from or about a specific time frame, the years 1770 - 1783, that help explain what happened before, during, and after the Declaration of Independence was signed. This is in line with our intentional increase in American Revolution related local history programs since 2021 with our partners the Beaufort County Historical Society, the Beaufort History Museum, and the Beaufort County 250th Committee and with the Library system's plans to highlight the upcoming 250th anniversary of our country in Spring - Summer 2026.  

As before, I know that our 2026 theme will offer me some research possibilities to satisfy my interests and perhaps satisfy your need to know more about the course of the American Revolution and the vicissitudes of establishing a country like no other in the history of the world.  

As per usual, we will not post on Mondays when the Library is closed, nor when the main writer is on vacation. When I retire, Cassandra will be tasked with researching and writing the posts until my successor is hired - at which time the new head of the Library's special local history collection and archives unit may have other ideas. But until I retire and my successor is hired, expect to see an Independence (Mon)Day post on Facebook from me or Cassi most Mondays beginning Monday, January 5, 2026.  BTW: Thanks go to Sydney for the logo!   

Honoring Contributions of the Gullah Geechee People

October is Gullah Geechee Heritage Month. The Library honors Gullah Geechee heritage with special collections of Gullah Geechee heritage in the BDC and at the St. Helena Branch Library.

The BDC’s primary focus is geography. We collect a host of materials about a variety of topics within a defined geographical area – in other words, Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties. Collecting materials of and about Gullah heritage began more than 100 years ago. Some are very rare. A few can be found nowhere else. Overall, about 20% of BDC holdings relate in some manner to Gullah Geechee heritage. The BDC is acknowledged for having one of the largest collections of Gullah related materials in the Southeast. 

In contrast, the Gullah Geechee Reference collection at St. Helena Branch covers only one topic: Gullah Geechee culture as expressed throughout the southeastern United States. The secondary materials in St. Helena Branch’s reference collection extend also to the culture’s African roots.  

While there is some overlap in individual titles held, the two units are quite distinct. Both are maintained in recognition of the contribution of the Gullah Geechee people to our nation’s history.

We have posted some information and guides about Gullah culture online: 

Praise Houses in Gullah Religion and Social Practices

Gullah Culture: A Preliminary List

Beaufort History Moment: Gullah Food [video] with Emory Campbell

Beaufort History Moment: Gullah Language [video] with Emory Campbell

Sweetgrass Baskets in the Lowcountry 

 If you're looking for the best reads, pick a title or two from this flyer to begin (or continue) your journey learning about a fascinating - and local - culture.

and there's even more reading recommendations in honor of Gullah/Geechee Heritage Month on the Library's website. 

Reminder: The Library will be closed on Monday, October 14, 2024 for Staff Training. 

Second Reminder: The Beaufort History Museum/ Beaufort County Library Local History series Season 8 kicks off on Tuesday! 

"The History of the Beaufort Jasper Water & Sewer Authority, 1954 - " with Tricia Kilgore

BHM/BCL Local History Series 8.1A
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Senior, Road | 2 PM | First come, first seated. Door opens at 1:30 PM

BHM/BCL Local History Series 8.1B
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 | Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way | 2 PM | First come, first seated. Door opens at 1:30 PM

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. 

Hurricane Debby Causes Closure

The Beaufort District Collection will be closed on Tuesday, August 6th and Wednesday, August 7th along with the other units of the Beaufort County Library as a consequence of Tropical Storm Debby's visit to our area. Please monitor the Beaufort County Library website and social media for any scheduling updates as authorities determine the extent of any damage.   

We postponed Ted Panayotoff's Book Talk about the Hunting Island Lighthouse until a future date - TBD. 

Stay safe! 

Last Chance: Final BDC Local History Program in Summer Reading 2024

The last of the BDC's 3 local history programs during Summer Reading 2024 is a tour of colonial Fort Frederick on Monday, July 29th at 10 AM. 

Our tour guide is the Heritage Trust's archaeologist, Meg Gaillard, who was instrumental in overseeing stabilization and partial restoration of the historic site about a decade ago. As part of her dissertation, at the end of the tour - and only if you're willing -- you can participate in a survey about your impressions of the site. 

Several things to keep in mind: 

• This is the lowcountry - where the humidity hovers around 100% on a daily basis in July.
• Please bring water to stay hydrated while we are wandering around outside.
• Transportation to 601 Old Fort Road is on your own.
• Parking spaces at and near 601 Old Fort Road are limited. In fact, you may want to consider carpooling with your friends and neighbors and/or parking at the Naval Heritage Park.  

Cassandra and I hope to greet you there!  

By the way, this means that the Research Room will be closed on Monday, July 29th until we get back. If I were you and planning on being a walk-in customer, I don't think that I'd walk over to the Research Room until 1 PM. Unless something goes terribly wrong, we should be back in the office by 1 PM. 

Don't forget: You must turn your completed Summer Reading Program gameboard to your BCL branch library of choice by closing time on Wednesday, July 31, 2024 to be entered into the Grand Prize drawings. 

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. 

Memorial Day Schedule

 I remind you of two recent posts about the history and significance of honoring those who do what their country asks of them in times of war: Beaufort District Collection Connections: History of Confederate Memorial Day in South Carolina and "Beaufort District Collection Connections: The Memorial Day Tradition in the Beaufort District (updated 2024)." 

May you and yours have a safe and enjoyable commemoration. 

Reminder: If you'd like to get on our calendar for research next week, please contact us by 4:45 pm on Friday, May 24th to make the arrangements: bdc@bcgov.net; 843-255-6468.

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.

April 2024 will be very, very busy for the BDC

No foolin', April is going to be busy in the BDC.

I'm talking about Civil War resources in the Research Room at the Sons of Confederate Veterans meeting and registration opens for the three BDC Behind-the-Scenes tours on April 1st. I'm helping Library Director Amanda DIckman and the Beaufort Branch staff with Jason Ryan's book talk about Swamp Kings on April 5th. I hope to watch the eclipse with other library customers on April 8th.

We have Behind-the-Scenes tours scheduled during National Library Week on April 10th, 11th, and 13th. Give us a call to reserve a seat: 843-255-6468.

On April 16th Robert Lanham will discuss Henry Woodward at St. Helena Branch as part of our local history series with the Beaufort History Museum.

On April 18th, Wyatt Erchak will present "Freedom's Eddy" as the BCHS/BDC prelude contribution to the Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era Symposium.

BDC staff will be at the ISRE Symposium on Saturday, April 20th to showcase internet resources we provide about the Civil War and Reconstruction Eras.

Wednesday, April 24th is Staff Work Day so all the libraries will be closed. And we end the month with Preservation Week, April 28 - May 4.

In between April 1 and May 4, we celebrate National Garden Month, National Volunteer Month, National Poetry Month, National Jazz Appreciation Month, National Library Week and National Wildlife Week so expect some Facebook posts about those topics, too.

What's Happening in the BDC During March 2024

March is Women's History Month  so of course, there will be some emphasis on BDC materials about the distaff. I expect to have some trouble keeping to the 2024 theme, "Women who advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion" from the holdings of the Research Room but I shall indeed try to do so. 

On March 6, I'm going to talk with the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians about the process we follow regarding donations of archival materials. 

Our only scheduled local history program this month is "The History of the Beaufort Jasper Water and Sewer Authority" with BJWSA's own Tricia Kilgore on Tuesday, March 19th. We hope that you can join us. 

Adjusted BDC Service Model

The BDC Research Room service model is changing a bit beginning today.

When COVID-19 struck the world in March 2020, a lot of things changed. Since October 2020, we have operated on an exclusively by appointment only basis due to health concerns and chronic BDC staff shortages. First we did one appointment per day mostly for pandemic reasons; then we offered up to three appointments per day; We're going to continue to offer up to three 2-hour appointments per day for those who contact us in advance of showing up at the BDC Research Room door and extend service to some walk-in customers sometimes starting at 9 AM.    

Beginning March 1, we may accept walk-in customers some Mondays through Fridays from 9 AM -- 4:30 PM under certain conditions: 

• If there's sufficient staff to guide walk-in customers and monitor use of special collections materials
• If there's sufficient seating for walk-in customers [Reminder: We have a quite small physical public space.]
• If there isn't already an obligation on our service delivery calendar

In practice, this means that a walk-in might be served if no other customer is in the Research Room and our calendar is open at the moment the walk-in shows up at our door between 9 AM and 4:30 PM most weekdays.  But if we have an appointment, local history program, outreach session, meeting, group session, etc. on the BDC's calendar for that day and time, walk-ins will not be accepted. 

Walk-ins allowed admittance will have access to the BDC's Library Assistant and/or Library Specialist who will guide them to resources that may help walk-in customers answer their own questions about historic houses, local history and family history. 

I repeat: Walk-in customers may be admitted but are not guaranteed admittance nor access to the full BDC staff if s/he/they just drop by the Research Room. Researchers with appointments will always get our best, exclusive, and fullest attention during their scheduled time.

Bottom line: For assured personalized service, make an appointment in advance.  Contact bdc@bcgov.net or call 843-255-6468 for details. 

Wonder why we set the cut-off time for service at 4:30 PM when the 2nd floor is open until 5 on weekdays? Because it takes time for BDC staff to register a walk-in customer, identify relevant materials, pull those materials, note the materials given for the walk-in customer to use inside our facility through the Sirsi circulation system, for the walk-in customer to review the materials, for the walk-in customer to return the materials by 4:45 PM so that BDC staff can check in the materials, reshelve the materials, lock the Research Room and get down to the time clock by 5:00 PM. Beaufort County Government is firm about no overtime for staff. 

The Library will be closed on Good Friday, March 29, 2024.