Did you ever wonder where the historical markers you see whizzing past on the highway came from?  Though they seem to simply “appear” on the landscape, there is a detailed process involving many people, lots of time, money, and maybe a little “blood, sweat and tears” to earn designation as an official S.C. Historical Marker. 

 Follow the “Life Cycle of the Historical Marker” from its beginning as a simple idea to commemorate an event, place or person of historical significance, through the research process, to state approval, marker fabrication, installation, dedication, and maintenance. Discover how to enjoy the more than 70 markers all over our county by creating your own Marker Scavenger Hunt, using our geographical lists accompanied by our Google Maps with marker locations.  Gain a clear understanding of the fascinating process the Beaufort County Historical Society follows, under the auspices of the S.C. Department of Archives and History,  as the oldest of many groups who develop these markers countywide.

Leah Roche earned her Bachelor’s degree in Library Science and History from Florida State University, and her Master’s in Library Science from the University of South Carolina.  She served as a high school media specialist (school librarian) for 28 yrs at both Beaufort and Bluffton High, and was voted Teacher of the Year at Beaufort High School early in her tenure there. She later was the first media specialist in Beaufort County to earn National Board for Professional Teaching certification.

In her role as media specialist, Leah served as webmaster of the school websites at both Beaufort and Bluffton High. After retirement, she joined the Beaufort County Historical Society, and helped develop that organization’s current website.  She also created the interactive Google map of SC Historical Markers in Beaufort County, so that citizens and visitors alike could locate and visit them. She planned a county-wide “marker scavenger hunt” called “Marker Mania,” which took place during the first summer of COVID, involving over 250 participants.  She currently serves as the Recording Secretary and Webmaster for the .Beaufort County Historical Society.

Part of the ongoing “Historically Speaking” series in collaboration with the Beaufort District Collection.

Eliza Lucas Pinckney, portrayed as a time traveler from the 18th century by experienced historical interpreter and author Peggy Pickett, gives modern audiences her view of the American Revolution as a woman and the mother of two Continental Army officers. One of those sons, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, left his plantation on Pinckney Island in her care while he was off at the Continental Congresses and fighting for independence from Great Britain.

Margaret Pickett, or Peggy as she prefers to be called, is a graduate of the University of Maryland and a former teacher who spent 20 years working in museum education in Virginia's historic triangle-Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown. In 1999 she became an independent Living History Interpreter researching and developing documented programs based on the lives of prominent 17th and 18th century Virginia women. She has presented programs attired in historical clothing reproductions and in modern clothing for the National Parks Service, at colleges and historical organizations in both Virginia and South Carolina.

After moving to Bluffton in 2010 she has added three 18th century South Carolina women - Eliza Lucas Pinckney, Dorothy Sinkler Richardson, and Rebecca Motte- to her repertoire.

Her published works include The European Struggle to Settle North America (2011) co-authored with her son, Dwayne, and a biography of Rebecca Brewton Motte: American Patriot and Successful Rice Planter, 1737-1815 (2022). She authored the first major biography of Eliza Lucas Pinckney since 1896, Eliza Lucas Pinckney: Colonial Plantation Manager and Mother of American Patriots, 1722-1793 (2016).

This local history program is brought to you by the Beaufort District Collection and the Beaufort County Historical Society and co-sponsored by the Beaufort County 250th Committee. Space is limited. First come, first seated; Doors open at 10:30 AM for seating.

British inroads into South Carolina following the 1778 Capture of Savannah were repeatedly confounded by the resourceful militia forces of Beaufort District, north and south of the Broad. Trace their activities and learn more about some of the individuals whose courage and dedication had a direct impact on the Continental Army’s success in gaining independence from English rule.

Richard Thomas is an experienced global business executive and successful entrepreneur having served as CEO, President or Executive Vice President in seven different ventures in four diverse industries.

Mr. Thomas graduated from Princeton University with a degree in East Asian Studies and did graduate field work in Cultural Anthropology in Thailand. He worked as a linguist team leader in Special Operations Intelligence while in the US Army during the Vietnam War. He speaks three languages: English, Chinese-Mandarin and Thai.

He was co-founder of Battlefield Leadership, a global consulting and training company, where he guided the development and delivery of industry-leading leadership seminars involving historic battlefields in the United States and Europe.

He is very involved in local historical organizations such as the Heritage Library, Santa Elena Foundation, and Friends of Honey Hill Board. He is Chairman of the Beaufort County 250 Committee responsible for planning local celebrations of the nation's Semiquincentennial. He wrote Backwater Frontier: Beaufort County, South Carolina at the Forefront of American History (2018). His current research interest is focused on the early colonial period of St. Helena and Prince William's parishes in Beaufort District.

The "Historically Speaking" local history series brought to you by the Beaufort District Collection and the Beaufort County Historical Society. This session is co-sponsored by the Beaufort County 250th Committee. The lecture will begin at 11 AM. Admittance is first come; first seated. Doors open at 10:30 AM.