Staff reports
USCB’s Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era is hosting its 4th annual public history symposium Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, at the Center for the Arts on the Beaufort campus. The two-day event is free and open to the public.
This year’s theme examines the efforts of the freed and newly emancipated people of Beaufort and the surrounding Sea Islands as they navigated the path to full citizenship guaranteed to them through the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Presenters will highlight how the unwavering determination of these individuals along with the work of supporters, and the establishment of government agencies provided the framework for people to secure their rights during the Civil War and the years known as the Reconstruction Era.
On Friday, there will be an evening reception and display of research conducted by West Point Academy Cadets and USCB Students. A special performance by local students who will portray historical figures and share stories about Beaufort during the time of the great Port Royal Experiment will round out the evening.
On Saturday, special guests, along with speakers from Beaufort’s history and preservation community, will explore topics like the transfer, sale, and struggle for land ownership; profiles of notable figures and early communities on St. Helena Island; the promise and failure of the Freedman’s Bank; and the story of the 1867 founding of the African American township of Lincolnville, S.C.
Participants will also have the opportunity to choose from one of three interactive breakout sessions. They include learning more about resources available through the Beaufort County library system for researching family history, how to access and conduct research using USCT pension files, and a glimpse into the personal history of a St. Helena Island Homestead family and their ties to legacy land and a USCT Civil War soldier.
While the event is free and open to everyone, participants are encouraged to pre-register. For additional details regarding the symposium including the event schedule, a list of presenters and to register please visit: bit.ly/isreregistration.