From staff reports
Historic Beaufort Foundation’s (HBF) annual Lafayette Soiree is set for Saturday, May 11. This much-anticipated event brings together HBF members, partners, friends and sponsors to celebrate and support the preservation and protection of Beaufort’s historic and architectural legacy.
The event will feature a sampling of Lowcountry cuisine, perfectly curated libations, a silent auction, and live music with Loose Chain Band. This year’s Soiree will be held on the lawn of Mr. and Mrs. Drew Scallan on Bay Street overlooking the Beaufort River.
“Pam and I are delighted for the opportunity to host this year’s Lafayette Soiree on Bay Street and under the oaks. The work that Historic Beaufort Foundation does to support and nurture our historic neighborhood and homes is very important to our wonderful historic town,” said Drew Scallan.
“We would like to thank this year’s co-hosts, Matt and Katie Phifer and Scott and Katie Huebel, plus HBF, its dedicated staff, sponsors and volunteers for putting together this much anticipated annual event,” Scallan said.
This year kicks off the 200th anniversary of General Lafayette’s “Tour of the Nation” that spanned sites across the country between 1824 and 1825, including a stop in Beaufort in 1825. For more than 100 years, the John Mark Verdier House, ca. 1804, has been known as the Lafayette House and is an important part of downtown Beaufort’s historic and architectural charm.
In 2021, HBF completed the exterior renovation of the house. Proceeds from this year’s Lafayette Soiree will continue these important improvement efforts on the interior of the John Mark Verdier House.
“We are honored to be co-chairing this year’s Soirée along with Scott and Katie Huebel to raise funds to continue the restoration of the John Mark Verdier House. As lifelong Beaufortonians, we appreciate the rich history and historical value the Verdier House brings to downtown Beaufort,” Matt and Katie Phifer said.
The Lafayette Soirée is one of Beaufort’s most anticipated events. Tickets are available now (members, $150, non-members $175) and can be purchased online at HistoricBeaufort.org or by calling the HBF Office at 843-379-3331. Tickets are non-refundable and the event is held rain or shine.
“The Lafayette Soiree is much more than a fundraiser, it’s truly a Lowcountry community gathering and a signature event for Historic Beaufort Foundation,” said Cynthia Jenkins, executive director of HBF. “Tickets typically sell out so we are hoping that anyone interested in joining us will sign up now. Our volunteers and hosts put so much into this event, it’s a wonderful work of art each year.”
Historic Beaufort Foundation (HBF) has played a significant role in the preservation and conservation of Beaufort County’s historic resources for more than six decades. Proceeds from the Lafayette Soirée support the ongoing preservation of Beaufort’s historic and architectural heritage. This year, proceeds are dedicated to the continued renovation and improvement of HBF’s flagship property – the John Mark Verdier House.
Historic Beaufort Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education foundation created to preserve, protect, and present sites and artifacts of historic, architectural, and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County, South Carolina. For more information on the entity’s mission and history, please visit historicbeaufort.org and follow them on social media, including Facebook and Instagram.
