Author: Margaret Evans

Deborah S. Johnson, B3C Project Coordinator, sums up the past three years. The Beginning On January 17, 1711, or 1.17.1711 if one (not 1) is inclined towards numerology, the Lords Proprietor a great distance away across the Atlantic Ocean in England decreed the following:  “…We therefore being desirous to render the province of Carolina as useful as may be to this her Majesty’s Kingdom of Great Britain and also considering what great tracts of sand are lying upon the said River of Port Royal which may afford great quantities of Naval Stores have given directions for the building of a Town called Beaufort Town…”

Sewanee president and scholar of the American South, Dr. John McCardell, spoke with our editor about his part in the upcoming Tricentennial Lecture Series at the Parish Church of St. Helena.   Last January, our features editor Mark Shaffer had the privilege (and fun) of sitting down for a chat with Beaufort historians Larry Rowland and Steve Wise prior to the second round of Tricentennial Lectures at USCB. The good doctors were still basking in the glow of the wildly successful first round of lectures, from which literally hundreds of people were turned away for lack of space. As Mark put it at the time, it was “the small town equivalent of a smash Broadway show… An encore presentation wasn’t simply necessary, it was practically mandated. The trio of scholars has agreed to take the stage once again in what can only be described in certain circles as Beatles-esque.”

Three distinguished historians will present a series of lectures on the history of Beaufort from 1712-1865, on January 7, 14 and 21, at the Parish Church of St. Helena. Beaufort’s acclaimed historian, Dr. Larry Rowland, will discuss Beaufort during the Colonial Era, followed by Dr. John McCardell, who will talk about the significance of St. Helena’s Parish during the Colonial Era for the first Friday evening lecture, January 7th.  Dr. Rowland will introduce the Great Beaufort Revival of 1831, presented by Dr. McCardell, on the 14th. Dr. Rowland is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History at USCB, and enjoys a reputation as both historian and lecturer.  He is a former President of the South Carolina Historical Society.   Dr. McCardell was recently appointed Vice-Chancellor and President of Sewanee:  The University of the South and is past president of Middlebury College in Vermont. (See accompanying interview here.)

Beaufort prepares to step out in style for a cause dear to its heart. This year, the Beaufort Memorial Hospital Foundation will host its 22nd annual Valentine Ball on Saturday, February 12, 2011.  “Love in Any Language” is the theme, and the co-chairs are Dr. & Mrs. Paul Mazzeo and Mr. & Mrs. DeWitt Helm. The Valentine Ball is a philanthropic event like no other.  The night begins with a black tie dinner with old friends, and ones newly introduced, at an elegant and intimate setting in a private home.  The party then moves to the festively decorated Lyceum at Parris Island, where everyone visits, bids on an array of auction items, enjoys gourmet desserts, and dances to a live band till 1:00 am.