29 April 2013

Graves at Gaillard Center

Posted by Nic Butler, Ph.D. under archaeology, Charleston, history, programs
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Most of Charleston has been fascinated by the recent discovery of a previously unknown graveyard at the site of the Gaillard Center renovation project. In February and March of this year, a team led by Dr. Eric Poplin, senior archaeologist with Brockington and Associates, unearthed the remains of

Dr. Poplin and the Brockington team

Dr. Poplin and the Brockington team

37 individuals who were laid to rest at that site, on the east side of Anson Street, sometime between 1680 and 1740. Many among the community are curious to know more about these people: Who are they? How and when did they die? Why were they interred at this spot–well outside of the “walled city”? Wouldn’t we all like to know the answers to these questions?

Well, now’s your chance to hear the latest conclusions from the experts. The Charleston County Public Library invites the public to a free program on Wednesday, May 1st, 2013, at 6 p.m. CCPL’s public historian, Dr. Nic Butler, will provide a brief overview of this early history of the site on which the Gaillard Center now stands, and then introduce the featured guest, Dr. Eric Poplin, who will describe the discovery and excavation of the bodies. Using photographs and maps, Dr. Poplin will discuss the clues discovered in the graves that inform his conclusions about the dates of the burials and the status of the individuals interred there. We may not have all the answers at this early date in the research process, but we hope to give the public a better understanding of this fascinating discovery in Charleston’s own backyard. So please join us for

“Graves at the Gaillard Center: The Rediscovery of a Forgotten Resting Place”

Charleston County Public Library Auditorium

68 Calhoun Street

Wednesday, May 1st 2013

6:00 p.m.

 

24 April 2013

Postponement of Broughton’s Battery Program

Posted by Nic Butler, Ph.D. under Charleston
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Due to a death in my family, I regret to announce that tonight’s program on the “Brief History of Broughton’s Battery” has been postponed to Wednesday, May 22th, at 6:00 p.m. I apologize to all our “Walled City” fans for the last-minute change. Thanks for your support–Nic Butler.

 

17 April 2013

Broughton’s Battery Program

Posted by Nic Butler, Ph.D. under Charleston
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1739_Broughton_small

A 1739 view of Broughton’s Battery

Please join the Walled City Task Force for an illustrated overview of the history of Broughton’s Battery, a substantial brick fortification that stood at the south end of Church Street, in what is now White Point Garden, between 1737 and 1784. Although it guarded the confluence of the Ashley and Cooper Rivers for less than half a century, its history is relatively well documented among the surviving records of South Carolina’s colonial government. Beginning with the design, construction, and namesake of Broughton’s Battery, we’ll discuss its armament, strategic importance, and several interesting episodes in its history. Demolished by order of the City of Charleston in the summer of 1784, this battery represents a significant part of our city’s military heritage and deserves better recognition. If you’ve stood next to the St. Jasper statute in White Point Garden and admired the scenic view of the harbor, then you’ve stood on the historic ramparts of Broughton’s Battery!

“A Brief History of Broughton’s Battery, 1736–1784“

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 6:00 p.m.

2nd Floor Classroom,

Charleston County Public Library

68 Calhoun Street

 

14 March 2013

Charleston’s Earthen Entrenchments, 1703-1734

Posted by Nic Butler, Ph.D. under Charleston, fortifications, history, programs
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Over the past several months I’ve presented lectures surveying the history of the brick fortifications built along Charleston’s eastern waterfront. From Granville’s Bastion at the south end to Craven’s Bastion at north end, approximately seven million bricks were laid between 1696 and 1713. These defensive works stood until the 1780s, and their foundations remain under our streets at sidewalks today.

Profile of an earthen entrenchment by John Muller

Profile of an earthen entrenchment by John Muller

But what about the early walls that surrounded the north, west, and south sides of the town? What about Colleton’s Bastion, Ashley’s Bastion, Carteret’s Bastion, and Johnson’s Ravelin? The surviving documentary evidence suggests that these fortifications were made of earth and wood rather than brick, and conceived from their inception to serve as temporary works. Details of their construction are sparse, but they are certainly interesting. When and where were these earthen structures built, and what did they look like? Please join me for an illustrated survey of this fascinating part of our city’s military history.

“Earthen Entrenchments and Bastions in Charleston, 1703–1734“

Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.

2nd Floor Classroom,

Charleston County Public Library

68 Calhoun Street

 

20 February 2013

Craven’s Bastion Program

Posted by Nic Butler, Ph.D. under archaeology, Charleston, fortifications, history, programs
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1739 View of Craven's Bastion

1739 View of Craven’s Bastion

Craven’s Bastion was built in the early 1700s and formed the northeast corner of the colonial “walled city” of Charleston. During the war with Spain in the 174os, scores of Spanish prisoners were housed here in miserable conditions. During the British occupation of the city in 1780–82, Craven’s Bastion was used as a civilian jail and headquarters of the “town police.” Like the rest of Charleston’s colonial fortifications, the bastion was demolished after the American Revolution, however, and the remnants of its brick walls are now hidden under East Bay Street and the steps of the U.S. Custom House (built 1853–79). Using clues from colonial-era documents and new archaeological technology, it might it be possible to pinpoint its precise location and dimensions. Please join Dr. Nic Butler for an illustrated overview of this important Charleston landmark.

“A Brief History of Craven’s Bastion, 1703–1789”

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 6:30 p.m.

2nd Floor Classroom,

Charleston County Public Library

68 Calhoun Street

 

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