Dive into the history of the 35th US Colored Troops as they overcome the deprivations of slavery, the challenges of freedom and the struggles of Reconstruction. The presentation looks at the regiment’s service in South Carolina during the Civil War, as well as the Reconstruction history of communities throughout Colleton, Dorchester, Beaufort and Charleston counties … Read more
How did South Carolina look to northern tourists flooding the state on their way to all points south in the mid-20th century? This presentation, based on local postcards mailed by sun-seeking tourists, focuses on travel along SC’s coastal highways & can be tailored to feature postcards from your region.
Discover the extraordinary story of the 500+ Tuskegee Airman who trained at South Carolina’s Walterboro Army Air Field during WWII and the determined battle they fought against racial prejudice on home soil! This presentation focuses on the history of Tuskegee training in South Carolina and its connection to the larger struggle for Civil Rights in … Read more
Explore the Gullah Geechee people’s deep connection to water through the evocative art collection of Victoria A. Smalls. Learn how the waterways that once carried their ancestors into bondage now serve as symbols of resilience, heritage, and cultural continuity. This presentation speaks to the history, art and culture of the Gullah Geechee people. Each piece … Read more
Join Victoria A. Smalls as she shares her personal journey of uncovering her Gullah Geechee heritage. This talk takes you through the emotional process of reconnecting with family history, cultural identity, and ancestral ties. Learn how understanding her roots deepened her sense of self and mission to preserve the Gullah Geechee culture. Her story is … Read more
Experience the spiritual heart of Gullah Geechee culture through the sacred traditions of Praise Houses. This discussion explores the deep-rooted practices of communal worship, singing, and prayer that have sustained these communities for centuries. Learn how these traditions, steeped in African, Christian and Muslim customs, have fostered unity and resilience. The Praise House is not … Read more
Step into the rich cultural tapestry of the Gullah Geechee people, whose history and traditions have shaped the Gullah Geechee Corridor and Southeastern United States. This talk uncovers the unique language, customs, and heritage passed down through generations. Discover the ways in which the Gullah Geechee continue to preserve their culture despite challenges brought on … Read more
Explore the pivotal moments when Penn Center served as a refuge for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other civil rights leaders. This talk highlights how Penn Center became a safe haven for strategic planning during the Civil Rights Movement. Understand the importance of this historic site in shaping the fight for racial justice and … Read more
Discover the incredible legacy of Penn School, one of the first institutions in the South to provide formalized education to formerly enslaved people. This session traces its evolution from a groundbreaking school to a hub for social justice and community activism. Learn how Penn Community Services became a beacon of hope for African Americans during … Read more
Explore the intertwined legacies of Hastings Gantt and Robert Smalls, two visionary leaders who shaped South Carolina’s political and social landscape. Both men rose from slavery to serve in the South Carolina Legislature, advocating for civil rights, land preservation, and education for African Americans. Discover how Gantt’s dedication made Penn School possible and how Smalls’ … Read more
Delve into the transformative years during and following the American Civil War, focusing on South Carolina’s critical role during the Reconstruction Era. This presentation explores the social, political, and economic changes that shaped the state’s journey toward healing and rebuilding. Learn how African Americans in South Carolina navigated newfound freedoms while fighting for equality and … Read more
On November 28, 1950, the federal government chose South Carolina No. 5, a 310-square mile area of rural farmland south of Augusta, GA and west of Aiken, SC, to build a nuclear facility, the Savannah River Plant. The plant’s mission was to manufacture the materials, plutonium and tritium, for the hydrogen bomb to go up … Read more
The discovery of slave traders in the family who brokered the sale of more than 10,000 enslaved people in both the transatlantic and domestic slave trades was life-changing. The presentation includes a representation of the 34 paintings from the book by African American artist, John W. Jones, who takes the black and white historical newspaper … Read more
“Swamp Fox, Swamp, tail in his hat. Nobody knows where the Swamp Fox’s at.” Sang Marion’s men in a 1959 miniseries produced by Walt Disney. But that is only one of dozens books, films and television productions devoted to the life of Marion since 1805. This takes a look at what these representations got right … Read more
The story of the Irish in the American Revolution has not gotten its proper due. Of the 29 men who represented SC in the Continental and Confederation Congresses, 8 were Irish-Americans, including two signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. 11% of veterans of the American Revolution from SC who applied for … Read more
While Lee was surrendering at Appomattox, the last military campaign in SC was taking place. Brig. Gen. Edward Potter was leading a force of 2500 men in a march from Georgetown to Manning to Sumter to Camden in search of railroad equipment they had been ordered to destroy. Especially noteworthy is that the African-American regiment, … Read more
Few people know that in 1860 10% of Columbia’s population was either Irish-American or Scottish-American. They built the Columbia canal and helped build the State House. The Irish lived in three neighborhoods in the city and had their own commercial district. This program features the all-but-forgotten tales of some of the most important people in … Read more
For 160 years there has been a raging controversy over who is to blame for the Burning of Columbia. Confederate and Union soldiers blamed each other for the inferno that destroyed a third of the city. Come watch this program and hear about the events leading up to and during the fire and decide for … Read more
For over 150 years, the story of Reconstruction in South Carolina was largely distorted or ignored in history books. Using old newspaper accounts and archival material, this presentation tells of how South Carolina once came close to being a bastion of equality before things went horribly wrong. This story serves not only as an example … Read more
This story, long buried in old newspaper accounts, tells the forgotten saga of the six brave men who tried to stop the segregation laws from passing in South Carolina. For three months, six Black leaders of the Reconstruction era argued eloquently at the State Constitutional Convention in the face of vile threats, racial insults, and united opposition, … Read more
These are stories gathered from storytellers during Damon Fordham’s visits to West Africa, which has a long tradition of storytellers as spoken word historians and guardians of history and life lessons, as well as the tales he heard growing up among his elders in South Carolina. This presentation includes long forgotten stories from archives, interviews, and … Read more
There are true stories regarding the history of Charleston’s Black Community that are missing from most narratives. These tales are gathered from a combination of personal recollections, interviews with elders, and research from archives. The stories are presented in a manner that audiences should find interesting and inspiring.
Robert Clark has photographed the unique landforms known as Carolina Bays for over 40 years. He is confident he has more photographs of Carolina Bays than any other photographer. In this presentation, he will share with the audience the history, botanical diversity, wildlife, and beauty found in our South Carolina bays.
In March of 2025, USC Press will release the third edition of South Carolina Reflections-A Photographic Journey. The book contains 185 photographs of SouthCarolina’s culture, nature, history, and people. Robert Clark will discuss the unique aspects of photographing the state of South Carolina.
Exploring Cherokee culture prior to European settlement is crucial to comprehending their values, gender roles, internal and external relationships, diplomacy, and conflict during this pivotal era in Cherokee history. The audience will learn how Cherokees dealt with European colonization, their relationships with South Carolinians and the British, and how they responded to the American Revolution … Read more
Born four years after the end of slavery, Matilda Arabella Evans, who grew up on a family farm in eastern Aiken County, South Carolina, was the first African American and first woman in licensed to practice medicine in South Carolina and an advocate for improved health care for African Americans, including children. Matilda’schildhood experiences, educational background, … Read more
South Carolina has more than 50 symbols and songs that represent the rich history and resources of our state. The state flag with its palmetto and crescent is the best-known symbol. But through the years, others have been added including the Carolina Wren, milk and tea, collards, the Carolina wolf spider, blue granite, sweetgrass basket … Read more
50 Years of South Carolina in Images & Stories Robert Clark launched his photography career in 1974. Tom Poland moved to South Carolina in 1974 to write and teach. Poland and Clark met at South Carolina Wildlife magazine and their journey in words and images began. Their seminal feature, “Tenant Homes—Testament To Hard Times,” charted … Read more
NEW TOPIC! In 1923, on the last day in this two-story wooden school, people packed the house for the school play. In the third act, an oil lantern fell to the floor. Everything caught fire. Relatives threw children out windows, slid others down outer walls. The seventy-seven souls who perished—only thirteen recognizable—were laid to rest in … Read more
George Washington promised to visit every state in the new union during his presidency, and in the spring 1791 he set off from his Mount Vernon, Virginia home and traveled all the way to Savannah, Georgia and back. In researching his journey for her book “Methodists and Moonshiners,” Smith followed the president’s tour, investigating not … Read more
