The Board of Directors of the Santa Elena Foundation are excited to announce a partnership with Community Foundation of the Lowcountry – the newest member of the Santa Elena Founders Society – through their $30,000 grant to support the inaugural exhibit at the Santa Elena History Center.

Set to open in April 2016, the initial exhibit will occupy the second floor of the Santa Elena History Center, the former site of a District Federal Courthouse, at 1501 Bay Street in downtown Beaufort. The exhibit was originally developed by a Spanish Government Agency. A local team working with The History Workshop, a renowned museum design firm will present an expanded exhibit to best tell the story of Santa Elena.

Visitors may learn many perspectives of Santa Elena and the 16th century settlement activity that occurred throughout the Lowcountry. The exhibit will focus on the race by Europeans to claim this territory, the Spanish town of Santa Elena for 21 years, and archaeology rediscovering this important, little-known history.

“Our wonderful team spent months on the acquisition and planning for this extraordinary exhibit; generous support from Community Foundation of the Lowcountry helps with the final phases of this journey – construction and installation,” says Dr. Andy Beall, Santa Elena Foundation Executive Director. “Public and private support makes this project possible, and this grant provides a big step toward our goal. We are very grateful to Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, and excited to move forward with our plans.”

To learn more about the Santa Elena Foundation, see plans for the inaugural exhibit, register for programs, or offer support of this important cause, please visit www.santa-elena.org.