Beaufort History Museum is offering docent classes to train volunteers who lead museum tours and serve as community liaisons.
Directed by docent educator Lorrie Burleyknoles, the classes will teach participants how Beaufort shaped America from the early European settlements, its involvement in the Revolutionary War and dramatic role during the Civil War to the Reconstruction Era, the complex transition to the 20th Century, and its current-day prominence as a major tourist destination and site of military training and defense.
The training curriculum will cover all stages of Beaufort’s 500-year history as educators impart knowledge of the Museum’s collection, including artifacts and photos, and it’s mission. Once Docents have completed training, they will be asked to serve up to three shifts per month and commit to a one-year period of service.
Classes will be held at the the historic Arsenal at 713 Craven Street. Space in the class is limited, and those interested in attending these sessions are encouraged to register early. Box lunches are included!
Requirements:
Benefits:
For more information on the Docent program, or other volunteer opportunities with the Museum, contact:
Tom Kelley: Thomas.j.kelley750@gmail.com or
Laurie Burleyknoles: burleyknoles@gmail.com
HOLD THE DATE! Registration opens on October 24th...
We are delighted that Dave Smoot has agreed to share his expertise regarding military history. He's going to concentrate on the munitions used by the Union and Confederates on that fateful day that led to the Federal occupation of Beaufort and Hilton Head for the duration of the Civil War and into the Reconstruction Era.
The Battle of Port Royal Sound was one of the earliest naval operations of the Civil War. On November 7, 1861, a massive U. S. Naval fleet and U. S. Army expeditionary force sailed into Port Royal Sound and captured Fort Walker on Hilton Head and Fort Beauregard on Bay Point/St. Helena Island, SC. It was the "largest fleet ever assembled by the United States" up to that date and forever changed the trajectory of Beaufort's history.
The battle is sometimes referred to as "The Big Gun Shoot" though previous programs on the topic have tended to focus more on the general history of the event rather than on the weaponry and tactics used during the engagement. This free program will rectify that oversight.
Dave Smoot's focus will be on the heavy artillery of the battle: What big guns are doing the shooting and why? Were the munitions equally effective? Why or why not? Why were some Confederate guns facing the wrong way? Was it a "fair" fight? The answers to these questions and more will be revealed within the lecture.
Dave Smoot has been doing history for most of his life. He recently retired from his position as the Museum Technician at Parris Island Museum working with Dr. Stephen Wise to curate the story of the Marines for a decade. He was a curator at the Virginia Living History Museum before relocating to Beaufort. An active re-enactor, he's portrayed Civil War surgeon Dr. Tooms and Civil War doctor, Dr. Meade along with providing other informative and illuminating programs on "The Well Dressed Marine of 1915" and "The South Carolina Constitution of 1865."
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Price of Event: Free
For more information: Contact the Museum at (843) 379-3079
HOLD THE DATE! Details coming soon...
Our mission is to preserve, promote and interpret the experiences of our past that influence us now and in the future.
The Beaufort History Museum is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 713 Craven Street, Beaufort, SC 29902
