History Lecture Series: Dr. Richard Porcher on Dr. Henry Woodward

Beaufort History Museum, in partnership with the Beaufort Branch Library, will present a lecture by Dr. Richard Porcher, Jr. which will focus on Dr. Henry Woodward, considered to be the first British colonist in South Carolina and Beaufort’s first settler.  The talk is scheduled for 2 PM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at the Beaufort Branch Library, located at 311 Scott Street.               

            Following the lecture everyone will walk across the street to the historic Arsenal, home of the Museum, to the courtyard, where the Henry Woodward Chapter of the Colonial Dames 17^thCentury will place a wreath on a monument to Woodward.   Refreshments will be served.     

            Admission to the lecture and wreath placement is free.  A donation of $5 is suggested and reservations are required.  Please print out the ticket and bring to the event.   (Lectures sell out.  Those with tickets will be admitted first.)  Funds collected will be used to support ongoing Museum programs and the renovation of the Exhibit Hall, which is currently underway.

            Woodward’s story is a fascinating tale. He lived from 1646 -1687. He was South Carolina’s first doctor, learned several Indian languages and was known as an “ambassador” for the colonists to the Indians.   It is believed that through his friendship with the Indians, colonists were warned of the Spanish attack of 1670.  Woodward’s importance was such that the colony wouldn’t have survived without his influence.

Richard D. Porcher, a native of Berkeley County, South Carolina, is Professor of Biology at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, holding M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in biology from the University of South Carolina. 

Dr. Porcher is a renowned conservationist who uses his knowledge to influence regional environmental policies, was the recipient of 2007 South Carolina Environmentalist of the Year Award and has mentored many prominent southeastern naturalists. 

He is the author of A Field Guide to the Bluff Plantation Wildlife Sanctuary, coauthor of The Story of Sea Island Cotton, and has written numerous articles on the rice culture and flora of the Lowcountry.

Price of Event: Free, but a donation of $5.00 to the Beaufort History Museum is requested; Ages 12 – Adults

For more information: Contact the Museum at (843) 379-3079