Sailing from Slavery into History
November 21, 2019
By Luana M. Graves Sellars Artwork by Sonja Griffin Evans You might have already heard
Lowcountry Heritage Trail
Lowcountry Living | Paradise Found
November 14, 2019
There’s no question that our Lowcountry, Bluffton and Hilton Head are well known and recognized for its beauty and being among the best places in the country to live, retire and vacation.
Cora Miller | Bringing Harriett Tubman to Life Everyday
October 24, 2019
What’s different about her depiction of Harriett, is that she doesn’t work from a prepared script or materials. Cora goes on to explain that “history books only talk about Tubman freeing the slaves. I believe that God has placed her spirit in me to be a vessel for her to tell the stories that were never told.” Unlike most character representations, Cora makes the experience more personal by intertwining names of her relatives into her skits. Her passion and personalization is evident in how her audience reacts.
The Lowcountry’s Gullah Story Teller
August 1, 2019
Known island-wide as the Hilton Head Storyteller, Louise, who, at 73 years old, passionately and tirelessly breathes life into Gullah stories, while fighting to keep the history and culture of Hilton Head’s native islanders alive. As the curator of the Gullah Museum, Louise dedicates her life to collecting, protecting and preserving Gullah stories and artifacts for future generations.
PENN CENTER AND THE PORT ROYAL EXPERIMENT
August 1, 2019
On February 6, 1862, General Thomas Sherman initiated General Order No. 9, which outlined a plan for the abandoned plantations and opened the door for Northern societies to send volunteers and workers South to aid the freedmen. Once the Union Army occupied the island, the Port Royal Experiment began. This was a massive humanitarian effort to address the needs of the 10,000 newly freed men, women and children.
MITCHELVILLE PRESERVATION PROJECT: Keeping History Alive, Moving it into the Future
June 24, 2019
Mitchelville is much more than an old plot of land. It’s the birthplace of blacks who became free from a life of bondage. A place where slaves were given a chance to self-govern and establish roots of their own in a land that they had adopted as their own, as well as maintain culture and traditions that continue today. The Mitchelville Preservation Project has been and continues to collect stories and artifacts that demonstrate the richness of the story of Mitchelville.
MITCHELVILLE FREEDOM PARK | The Birthplace of Freedom
June 24, 2019
Mitchelville was the heart of The Port Royal Experiment, which was launched by the U.S. government and proved to a skeptical American public that African-Americans would fight for freedom and country, work for wages within a free-enterprise labor system, and live responsibly as independent citizens. Mitchelville was constructed, inhabited and governed exclusively by previously enslaved freedom-seekers. Activities in this settlement were reported nationwide, ultimately influencing national reconstruction policies.
National Park Service Adds Mitchelville Freedom Park To The Network Of Freedom
June 24, 2019
Hilton Head Island has been recognized as the only place in South Carolina for its historical importance in the Underground Railroad with three areas of membership: The Heritage Library, Mitchelville and Fort Howell, which is located within Mitchelville.
Hilton Head’s Ancestral Impact on the Black Community
June 24, 2019
Being a part of the National Network of Freedom is an incredible opportunity for Hilton Head for a variety of reasons. One important reason is that it makes Hilton Head’s historical value an even greater part of the American story. Mitchelville is a strong piece of America’s history that needs to be shared.
HARRIET TUBMAN ON HILTON HEAD ISLAND | An Important Stop on The Underground Railroad
June 24, 2019
During her time on Hilton Head, Harriett provided the Union Army with local area intelligence, as well as played a significant part in their military strategy. Her input was so valuable to the military, that she also influenced policies that effected how the military handled the onslaught of slaves that came to the island.
