Back to School: School Materials in the BDC

It’s that time of year again when children whine and parents cheer... You guessed it: it’s back to school!! Here in the Beaufort District Collection, we have a plethora of materials that cover the history of local schools as well as original materials that have been created by students over the years. Items such as these are extremely important to preserve as they capture glimpses of how young people viewed the world at their time. Some materials even include young people interviewing old folks through different decades which will be a wonderful resource for researchers to utilize in fifty years!

Graduation Day at Mather School [1950]
from the Lucille Hasell Culp Collection.

The Beaufort District Collection contains many different formats of materials. In this post, we will dive into examples from archives, books, microfilm, plans, posters, prints, and vertical files. The bulk of our materials come from donations. Items may come from another branch, the Friends of the Library, or a kind patron who found an old yearbook they no longer want. We would not have the vast selection we have now without the generosity of our community. Now, without further ado, let’s LEARN about our school materials!

Books

Look back 1965-1972: Civil Triumph: The Integration of Beaufort High School by Beaufort Middle School, 2002.

After thirty years, eighty Beaufort Middle School Students participating in the 2002 Humanities Program worked together to collect local oral histories of the integration of Beaufort High School. Prior to setting forth, students spent their time in class reading, researching, and participating in Socratic seminars all relating to the tribulations of slavery to equality and the impact of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. BMS students then interviewed retired teachers, staff, and alumni who worked at or attended local schools from 1965 to 1972. They even interviewed Emory Campbell, previous director of the Penn Center, who provided his personal experience with integration and the Civil Rights Movement. 

Beaufort Family Histories: Downtown Beaufort as a Classroom by Lady's Island Middle School, 1997.

School related titles in the BDC.

In 1997, one hundred and twenty eighth grade students and their teachers worked together to create their own documented history of Beaufort and its families. Students worked together by studying the graveyards of Beth Israel Synagogue, St. Helena's Episcopal Church, and the Tabernacle Baptist Church. They also interviewed family members; some of their own, and some from the different congregations. There are quotes from the students all throughout the book where they talk about learning to interview people, rub gravestones, and enjoying the hands-on research. Even Shelly was quoted with saying, “I am not interested in history, but this project was fun.” So, take it from Shelly, if you are looking for a fun way to glimpse into Beaufort’s past, come take a look at Beaufort Family Histories: Downtown Beaufort as a Classroom.

The History of Robert Smalls School by the Robert Smalls Association, 1991.

Robert Smalls High School Band Marches in
the Decoration Day Parade [1957] from
the Lucille Hassel Culp Collection.

This is a small, but detailed account of the Robert Smalls School and its immense impact on Beaufort’s history. There are multiple black and white photos of the school from varying years as well as photos of numerous principals who led the school. The schools very first teachers are listed by name along with serving committee members, artists, and musicians brought to the school by Principal W. Kent Alston. This history covers the destruction and construction of various buildings that the school has called home since 1925. The Robert Smalls Association, comprised of alumni, is still in existence today and raises funds annually to provide scholarships for college students. 

Annuals

Shelves of school annuals in the BDC.

Remember how I mentioned that the bulk of our materials come from donations? Well, this is a section of our collection that heavily relies on donations. If you or a loved one have a Beaufort District school annual that you wish to part with, you may contact the BDC via email (bdc@bcgov.net) or phone (843-255-6468) to see if you can help fill in any of our year gaps. We would greatly appreciate it!

Our school annuals are catalogued and searchable through the SCLENDS catalog. We also have a page on our WordPress Blog titled Yearbooks & School Annuals in the BDC that lists all of our holdings as well as their years. Either resource gives patrons the opportunity to browse our selection of yearbooks to see if we have the specific school and/or year they seek. 

Vertical Files

Vertical files hold materials such as clippings, pamphlets, or articles pertaining to the subject of the file. These files act as a gateway; they can provide context that may point researchers to a new path of resources. If you are interested in learning more about the importance and use of these files, you can check out The Value of Historical (and Permanent) Vertical Files. Most of the school vertical files have articles, pamphlets, newsletters and/or programs from events held at the individual schools through time gathered from a variety of places at a variety of times. There are more than 50 designated school vertical files (e.g. VF SCHOOLS--MARY FIELDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, 1934-1997) and over 130 school related vertical files (e.g. VF BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT.) 

Materials from VF SCHOOLS -- BEAUFORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

Vertical File Spotlight: VF SCHOOLS -- BEAUFORT ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. In this select vertical file you will find: a report card from the 1933-1934 school year, a Beaufort Gazette clipping from 1942 announcing a new Beaufort Elementary School Building, and a 1999-2000 Annual Report featuring artwork from a student. This is only a small glimpse into the endless realm of possible materials that you may find within our school related vertical files. 

Posters & Prints

The posters and prints within our collection do a wonderful job at visualizing the array of time periods that we cover here in the BDC. From a Harper's Weekly print that was published in 1865 to a poster from an event that was held last week, there is a lot of ground to cover when it comes to the history of Beaufort District. 

Print #86 and Poster #450.

Print #86 comes from Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper and was published on November 29th, 1862. It is entitled, "Sketches in Beaufort and its vicinity, South Carolina," as it depicts numerous spots in and around the area. However, there is one specific reason I chose this print. The center bottom drawing depicts the Beaufort College Building, which is now part of the University of South Carolina Beaufort campus in Downtown Beaufort. The building itself has lived many lives and served many purposes, including housing a freedmen school for young Black children throughout the Reconstruction era.

Poster #450 is one of our newest editions to our poster collection. St. Helena's Anglican Church began hosting this event as a support system for adoptive and foster families navigating a new school year. Now, their Back to School Bash has turned into a community wide event that serves as a welcoming space for all. Families can expect food and refreshments, music and games, giveaways and prizes, free school supplies, and most of all, community connection.

Archival Collections

The Beaufort District Collection is home to over 250 archival collections. A decent amount of them are related to our local schools, but there is one in particular I wanted to share with you today. The Folklore Project at Beaufort High School consists of three handmade booklets from 1972 that contain information on Gullah culture and folklore. 

The Folklore Project at Beaufort High School.

The booklets are titled as follows: "Gains From Their Life Roles: Samples of Beaufort's Folklore," "Unbelievable Beliefs: Roots, Superstitions, Remedies," and "Voices of Old Folks." Senior student contributors worked together to interview elderly citizens of Beaufort, write and edit the contents of the booklets, and illustrate the covers and pages throughout. The young students under the direction of English teacher Ms. Lee P. Shaffer set out on a mission to preserve the slowly fading rich culture of Beaufort; which will now be forever maintained and remembered within our collection. 

Microfilm

Reels of the Penn School Papers.

Here in the BDC, we have an extensive microfilm collection. From local newspapers to census records, Beaufort City and County Council minutes to primary documents produced by the South Carolina Department of Archives and History; all of these records are searchable in the SCLENDS catalog. An incredible resource that we are lucky to have available to view on microfilm is the Penn School Papers from 1862 to 1976. The original records are housed at UNC Chapel Hill (some of which have been made available online, too!).

The Penn School was founded on Saint Helena Island in 1862 by Laura M. Towne and Ellen Murray. Both of these women were Northern missionaries who established the school in order to provide education to formerly enslaved people in the area. The school endured many changes throughout the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era, and the many years leading up to its closure in 1948. The Penn School Papers cover various aspects of the school: correspondences, inventories, financial records, annual reports, and minutes. There are also more personal elements that detail the daily happenings at the school such as club rosters, newspaper clippings, class schedules, special events, and even photographs. 

Plans

The smallest accumulation of catalogued materials in the BDC would be our plans, which is why not many people are aware of them. Our two drawers of plans consist of fifty building, site, and airport outlines. 

Repairs and Restoration of the
Janie Hamilton School [1993].

Repairs and Restoration of the Janie Hamilton School [1993] was a building plan created by William Blount Shepard III for the school on Daufuskie Island to be presented to the Beaufort County School District. The Janie Hamilton School was constructed in 1937 to educate the native children on Daufuskie that were unable to make the walk to Mary Fields School located on the opposite side of the Island. These building plans proposed safety and structural improvements to almost every aspect of the building including the framework, roof, windows, wiring, and more, without demolishing the building and removing almost sixty years of history. 

Port Royal Elementary School Play [1950]
from the Lucille Hasell Culp Collection.

If you are interested in any of the materials I have shared today or wish to explore our collection for yourself: walk-ins are sometimes accepted, while appointments are always encouraged. To make an appointment, send an email to bdc@bcgov.net or give us a call at 843-255-6468. We hope to hear from you soon!

Re-cap of the BDC Posts to Facebook during July 2026

As is my established practice, events that have taken place are generally omitted. Some of the entries have been edited for this format. - gmc

July 1 - Overview of July 2026

July 2 - Final Day to enter for the Grand Prize drawing!!! ...

July 4 - Thank you, Thomas Heyward, Jr., Beaufort District's Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Happy 250th Anniversary, America!

July 6 - Independence (Mon)Day: The Declaration of Independence included a long list of grievances against King George III and one of them arises from a political dispute in South Carolina. In 1772 Royal Governor Montagu had a hissy fit because the Commons House had sent 1500 pounds to John Wilkes' freedom of speech defense fund in England. He decided to move the Commons House of Assembly from Charles Town to the brand-new Beaufort District Courthouse. (He also hoped that the Beaufort folks would let him have one of the new mansions in town for his residence but that's a story for another day).

Montagu failed to listen to native South Carolinian Lieutenant Governor William Bull, II's advice: "Don't do it!" But Governor Montagu set the session for October 10, 1772 in Beaufort. Much to his dismay, almost every member showed up in Beaufort that day - and they were even less willing to pass that money bill he wanted during the less than one hour session.

It did not work out well for the Royal Governor. Historian Robert Weir wrote: “Ultimately his [Montagu's] clumsy handling of the affair would contribute not only to his own replacement but also to a clause in the Declaration of Independence, viz. "He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their Public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures." This is grievance clause 4 and it's sometimes referred to as the "Beaufort Clause."

Bottom line: Little old backwater Beaufort, SC had a beef with George III that was put into writing in the foundational document of the Declaration of Independence. As Dr. Rowland says "All American history begins in Beaufort South Carolina."

If you want to learn more about Beaufort's role during the lead up to the Declaration of Independence and afterwards, I heartily recommend "Beaufort and the British during the era of the American Revolution" by Robert M. Weir, 1976, an unpublished Beaufort County Historical Society Paper (#54). It's only available inside our Research Room. Contact us at 843-255-6468 or bdc@bcgov.net to set up an appointment.

July 7 - SC250 recently posted its "Discover Revolutionary South Carolina" YouTube Series… a new way to plan your next Revolutionary Road Trip! Whether you're ready to hit the road or simply want to learn more about the places that played a role in America's fight for independence, visit the SC250 YouTube Channel. Of course, we hope that you start with the Lowcountry one.

July 8 - Black History Note: Yesterday, we heard Malik Raymond discuss historic traveler's views of the local Gullah-Geechee people they met during their trips. One of the most longstanding Gullah traditions, which later became a famous souvenir from the Lowcountry, is sweetgrass baskets. Sweetgrass Baskets and the Gullah Tradition by Joyce V. Coakley (2005) estimated the start of sweetgrass basket roadside stalls (and the transition of these baskets from tools to commodities) as being sometime in the early 20th century. However, Dale Rosengarten's Row Upon Row: Sweetgrass Baskets of the South Carolina Lowcountry (1987) documented Gullah street venders of both produce and sweet grass baskets in Charleston and Savannah as beginning in the late 19th century. The sale of the baskets was a way for Gullah households to supplement their usual income from farmwork and/or to become entrepreneurs using their traditional art in the Reconstruction Era. Famous Hilton Head "sewers," as basket makers are called, were Ceasar Johnson and Beaulah Grant Kellerson. Their work is described briefly in Barnwell, Grant, and Campbell's Gullah Days (2020). Basketmaking was also taught at the Penn School as a way to keep the traditional craft alive and to generate income for both local sewers (who would sell baskets to Penn) and the institution.

If you'd like to hear more about Black Beaufortonian's entrepreneurship in other industries during the Reconstruction era, be sure to attend our next local history program: "Historic Black Businesses of Beaufort" with Dr. Chanda Powell, co-sponsored by Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce, on August 24th. More details can be found on the BCL calendar.

July 9 - The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution continues all the way through the anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Paris (1783) on 3 September 2033. That should be enough time for you to read all the non-fiction books listed in OCLC's "America's 250-Year Bookshelf" that identifies the most widely held nonfiction book about America from every year since 1776—chosen not by critics or algorithms, but by libraries. IMNSHO - It's highly appropriate that you get to start with Common Sense by Thomas Paine, America's first bestseller that helped steer the colonies to shed monarchy, too. The Library has plenty of copies in a variety formats.

July 13 - Independence (Mon)Day: Report of Findings : The Search for Fort Balfour and Coosawhatchie Battlefield by Steven D. Smith (2005) was done at the Lowcountry Council of Government's request in preparation of the 22.5 mile scenic and historic trail through Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties, highlighting events and sites associated with the American Revolution.

The combined historical, map, and archaeological evidence strongly points to a wooded area in Pocotaligo at the intersection of Highways 21 and 17. The team believed that it is "most likely" located under the Church property or modern four-lane highway at that intersection.

We have other materials in the Research Room about Fort Balfour to share with you. Contact us to learn more: 843-255-6468 or bdc@bcgov.net.

Heads up: The BDC is hosting author Dik Dasso in November. The subject of his book, Col. William Harden, captures Fort Balfour and destroys it before British reinforcements could arrive in the Spring of 1781.

July 14 - One month - or 23 working days - left to tame my chaotic desk of legendary status among my colleagues, scribble down that long-promised mythical operations manual, and bid adieu to the responsibilities for the BDC with a light heart. Can I adult for that long? Now that remains to be seen .

July 15 - "Black History Note" Wednesday : We recently updated the article and bibliography about sweetgrass baskets on our BDCBCL: Links, Lists and Finding Aids blog.

July 16 - In honor of National Snake Day, I'd like to highlight how the timber rattlesnake became a symbol of the American Revolution.

Perhaps you've seen this flag with the coiled rattlesnake and the words "Dont Tread on Me." Christopher Gadsden, leader of South Carolina's Patriot movement, designed the flag in 1775 to emphasize the defiance of the colonists against the British government. Some say Gadsden modeled his flag after Benjamin Franklin's "Join or Die" illustration published in the Pennsylvania Gazette issue of 9 May 1754 that is acknowledged as one of the first political cartoons published in an American newspaper. Using a timber rattlesnake made perfect sense as it was found in all the original thirteen colonies and is (still) known as a creature best left alone to do its own snake-y stuff without interference.

Like the "Join or Die" cartoon, this flag has been used by a range of political and cultural groups, from libertarians to anti-government activists, with interpretations that vary widely depending upon who is using it at the time and what message the group is trying to advance.

July 17 - Now that the 70th Annual Water Festival is officially open for business, we want to share this gem of an image with you. Meet Benjamin Bookworm, the Beaufort County Library's entry in the 1974 Water Festival Novelty Boat Race. This cool pic is just one of hundreds hidden in the library's own archives. The back of the photo says it's an official US Marine Corps snap taken by Photographer Berryman on July 17, 1974 (#1738). But, um, who are the Marines rowing Benjamin along the Beaufort River? And, more importantly, what's the deal with "Ret SL?"

July 18 - The Summer Reading Program continues - and as Sydney notes, the BDC has considerable archaeological reports and surveys of Beaufort County properties to share in our Research Room. Perhaps we have one that covers your planned development area.

July 20 - AM Independence (Mon)Day: Francis Marion, a pivotal figure in the American Revolution, is meticulously examined by author and archaeologist Steven D. Smith. Through a multidisciplinary approach, combining documentary, material, and cultural evidence with folk and oral history traditions, Smith delves into Marion's leadership of a guerrilla band of rebels and their impact on a South Carolina community that resisted British rule and ultimately achieved independence. Francis Marion and the Snow's Island Community is available in the BDC and other SCLENDS libraries.

July 20 - PM One month to the BDC's next local history program. With the 500th anniversary of European exploration of what became the southeastern coast of North America upon us, Chris Allen will reprise his talk about how our area got notice on the world's map 500 and more years ago. He's got some great visuals - and his talks are always lively. Please pencil "Beaufort Before Britain" into your calendars for Thursday, August 20 at Hilton Head Branch. The program will begin at 2 PM.

July 21 - The National Trust Weekly asked this Question of the Month in its latest newsletter: What is your favorite historic lighthouse? We think that all our BDC FB page followers should answer "Hunting Island Lighthouse" and send that answer to email@savingplaces.org. The image is from our Lucille Hasell Culp Digital Collection.

July 22 - AM Happy National Hot Dog Day! Sydney dug up a retro ad from the June 30, 1960 Beaufort Gazette and we're dying over the olives on hot dogs - no thanks! I prefer a mustard and slaw, Sydney's all about horseradish and raw onions, and Cassi's a fan of mustard, sauerkraut, and French's crunchy onions. What about you? What's your hot dog style?

July 22 - PM "Black History Note": Laura Towne, a Pioneering Educator of Freed People at Penn School (1825-1901). Read a brief essay and explore online resources and materials from the BDC and BCL Branches to learn more about this influential local figure during Reconstruction and beyond. PS: It has been our practice to update the content we post on the BDCBCL blog at least once every three years.

July 23 -  AM You have until 31 July to earn the Revealing the Revolution car sticker and challenge coin as part of the Library's America250 program that the BDC and our friends of the Beaufort County Historical Society have devised - and to complete your Summer Reading Program game sheet that the Library system put together. Don't delay. Get cracking on these fun tasks today!

July 23 - PM Optimizing storage is a deliberate process, as our staff carefully consider shelving materials, placement, and collection storage to mitigate risks and facilitate care. We are grateful to the Public Library Foundation for providing a new storage shelf, which will enable us to expand our collection within our spatial constraints. As funds become available, we will add more shelves to accommodate our growing poster and map case collections. It is worth noting that our relocation to the 2nd floor, which took 9 years and 16 days to materialize, has enabled us to optimize our space utilization. Looking ahead, our future leadership will need to reassess our space allocation to ensure continued growth and efficiency.

BTW: We are very happy for Deputy Director Chuck Atkinson's handyman skills in getting it put together and in place for us.

July 24 - AM In celebration of National Dance Day on Tuesday, we are highlighting the remarkable contributions of Byrne Miller, who brought her passion for modern dance to Beaufort, South Carolina in 1969. The Byrne Miller Collection showcases her dedication to teaching and the arts, with the majority of the collection focused on her dance-related activities. To learn more about the contents of the collection, please contact us at bdc@bcgov.net or 843-255-6468.

July 24 -PM Pencil this local history program into your calendars for August 24th. Dr. Chanda Powell of the National Park Service will discuss the historic Black Businesses that once were along Scott, West and other downtown Beaufort streets at Beaufort Branch beginning at 2 PM. We are very pleased to have the Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce as a co-sponsor of this session.

July 25 - Before the Water Festival wraps up tomorrow, I've got a poem to share that'll get you in the mood for some water-filled fun! Edith Bannister Dowling's 'Water Festival' poem from her 1970 book A Patchwork of Poems about South Carolina is a real treat. Back then, the festival was just a chill weekend in mid-July (if that's even possible in our climate) but now it's a whole 10-day extravaganza from July 17-26!

Water Festival

The Angels are Blue,

Beaufort heavens are, too,

And our Bay, this big Water weekend.

Swift skiers -- Greek gods;

Speed boats -- hottest rods;

All these, with the proud Parade, blend

To make magic marine;

And then each lovely Queen,

Is divine, at that ball of a Ball:

So from water, and air,

Comes a show rich and rare:

Have fun, guests and townsfolk and all!

Check out copies of A Patchwork of Poems from the Local History sections - or come to the Research Room to explore our many poetry related materials. Looking for a place to start, Sydney offers guidance in Connections.

July 26 - Just a gentle reminder: The BDC's involvement with the "Revealing the Revolution" Historic Marker Challenge ends on Friday. Please get your game sheets into one of our ballot boxes at the Branch Libraries by 5 pm on July 31. The car stickers and challenge coins earned by successful completion of the game sheets will be mailed to you from the Beaufort County Historical Society in August.

BTW: Summer Reading happens to end that date and time as well. The dinosaur game sheets need to be returned to the circulation desks at the Branch Libraries. Please "No dinosaurs in our star-spangled ballot boxes."

July 27 - Independence (Mon)Day: Author John Jakes moved to Hilton Head Island in 1978. This was shortly after the publication of volume 6 The Warriors of the Kent Family Chronicles (8 volumes in all) that he wrote in honor of the nation's Bicentennial.

The Kent Family Chronicles sold a whopping 50 million copies in the 1970s - and it cemented my love of reading historical novels and then fact-checking them (which I still do for historical novels I read and movies I watch sometimes to the amusement of my family members, friends and work colleagues). Volume 1 The Bastard and Volume 2 The Rebels focus on Phillip Kent's life as he crosses paths with historical figures of the Revolution.

You can borrow the individual titles of the Kent Family Chronicles from other SCLENDS libraries or from Hoopla. Because these books had absolutely nothing to do with Beaufort, SC, the BDC does not have any copies to share ... but we can share information about the author through our holdings.

We have a vertical file about him - Jakes, John William (1932-2023) - with lots of clippings about his illustrious and productive career and lifelong support for libraries and a DVD of his 1993 interview with the PBS series Writer's Circle that runs about 30 minutes in the Research Room. You can borrow a copy of the Writer's Circle DVD from the local history sections at Beaufort and Hilton Head branches.

The Lowcountry Room at Hilton Head Branch Library was renamed in May 2026 in honor of Jakes and Jonathan Daniels, founder of the Island Packet newspaper.

July 28 - Today, we commemorate the 280th birthday of Thomas Heyward, Jr., Beaufort District's esteemed patriot who signed the Declaration of Independence. Notably, he was also a plantation owner, attorney, and judge, with a complex legacy that included owning enslaved individuals. Learn more about his life and legacy on our BDCBCL blog.

July 29 - "Black History Note" Wednesday: We just updated the Mitchelville bibliography on the BDCBCL: Resource Guides and Archival Collections Finding Aids blog.

July 30 - Another check off my retirement to-do list: I got all the bibliographical blog posts on BDCBCL: Links, Lists, and Finding Aids last checked in 2023, updated last week. Besides the posts about Sweetgrass Baskets, Laura Towne, and Mitchelville already mentioned this month, I edited the bibliographies about John Barnwell, Clara Barton, and that High Sheriff Lowcountry Witch Doctor, J.E. McTeer. I changed the list of Family Surnames vertical files post to be ADA compliant. I edited the "About the Beaufort District Collection" page as well. I'm still behind with the BDCBCL posts last updated in the first half of 2024 - and I'll try to get current with the 2024 updates before I leave but I make no promises. Updating those may well be delayed until the BDC has a new crew of 3.

July 31 - AM Today is the final call for "Revealing the Revolution." Get those game sheets returned by 5 PM this afternoon!

July 31 - PM It's another Beaufort District Red Letter Local History Day. Robert Barnwell Rhett famously stated, "If you value your rights, you must resist," launching the 1844 Bluffton Movement that catalyzed South Carolina's path to secession. Learn about this fire-eater and the political movement he spurred in our Connections blog.