Digging the “Tradd Street Redan”
By popular demand, Dr. Nic Butler will repeat the illustrated review of the June 2009 archaeology of the Tradd Street Redan at the Karpeles Museum (part of the lecture series of the Charleston Historical Society). The public is cordially invited to this free event. Join us to see images from the recent dig, and to hear anecdotes, theories, and conclusions based on the new discoveries.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
7:30 p.m.
Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum
68 Spring Street
For further information, please contact Dr. Nic Butler at (843) 805–6968 or butlern@ccpl.org.
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Recent Events:
Archaeology Review, June 2009
Join members of the Walled City Task Force for an illustrated review of the new archaeology of the Tradd Street Redan. See images (and perhaps artifacts) from the recent dig, and hear anecdotes, theories, and conclusions from the archaeologists.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
6:30 p.m.
Charleston County Public Library Auditorium
68 Calhoun Street
For further information, please contact Dr. Nic Butler at (843) 805–6968 or butlern@ccpl.org.
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Fort Johnson, 1708–2008: Charleston’s First Line of Defense
Built on James Island in 1708 to guard the entrance to Charleston’s harbor, Fort Johnson was rebuilt several times over the years and served a variety of purposes. Its walls have long since disappeared, however, and its history has mostly faded from memory. To mark the 300th anniversary of its construction, Dr. Nic Butler, historian of the Mayor’s Walled City Task Force, will present an overview of the fort’s history, and archaeologist Carl Steen will discuss his recent ground breaking investigations at this important historical site.
Thursday, 11 December 2008
6:30 p.m.
Charleston County Public Library Auditorium
68 Calhoun Street
For further information, please contact Dr. Butler at (843) 805-6968 or butlern@ccpl.org.

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The Horn Work: Charleston’s Tabby Fortress, 1759-1784
The slab of tabby (oyster shell cement) standing like a monument in Charleston’s Marion Square is a mystery to many people, but it was once part of a massive “Horn Work” fortification that served as the city gate and the centerpiece of Charleston’s defenses during the British siege of 1780. Using historic images and descriptions, Dr. Nic Butler will present an illustrated history of the Horn Work from its construction in 1759, its demolition in 1784, and its survival into the twenty-first century. This program will also include a review of the 1998 archaeological exploration of Marion Square that discovered the outlines of the Horn Work and its surrounding moat.
Monday, 28 April 2008
6:00 p.m.
Charleston County Public Library Auditorium
68 Calhoun Street
For more information, please contact Dr. Nic Butler at (843) 805-6968 or butlern[at]ccpl.org.
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New Archaeology in Charleston: The South Adger’s Wharf Dig
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
7:00 p.m.
Charleston County Public Library Auditorium
68 Calhoun Street
What’s all the fuss at South Adger’s Wharf? What were they looking for, and what did they find? To learn the answers to these questions, please join us at the Charleston County Public Library on Wednesday January 30th, when the Mayor’s Walled City Task Force, hosted by Dr. Nic Butler, will present an illustrated overview of the recent archaeological dig at South Adger’s Wharf in downtown Charleston. Learn about the history of the site, see photographs and artifacts from the excavation, and hear about the results of the work from the archaeologists.
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For further information, please contact Dr. Butler at (843) 805-6968 or butlern[at]ccpl.org.

2 February 2008 at 1:22 pm
We just found out about your group today and we’re really sorry we missed the SAW. Is there any chance you will repeat your presentation at another time?
4 February 2008 at 3:50 pm
Laura, There’s a chance we’ll have another program on the archaeology at South Adger’s Wharf when the final report is published, perhaps at the end of 2008. In the meantime, however, I am working to produce an illustrated overview of that dig as a digital slide show with narration to be placed online. In other words, a visual podcast version of the program that you can download to your own computer. Keep watching this site for news about its release!