While we remember 250, let us not forget 500!  Before Minutemen, Puritans, Pocahontas, Roanoke's Lost Colony, and Saint Augustine, Europeans visited Beaufort County and placed our home on world maps.

On 18 August 11AM, a new marker commemorating Beaufort's 16th Century will be unveiled at the Santa Elena site on Parris Island. On 20 August 2PM at the Hilton Head Library, the Beaufort District Collection will host a free presentation telling the story of how Beaufort came to be placed on European New World charts from 1526....all for FREE!  Details will be forthcoming...WATCH THIS SPACE!

Christopher Allen, Colonel (RET), US Army Special Forces, graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1980. Served in Berlinbduring the Cold War. Ranged throughout the Middle East during Gulf War I,the 1990’s containment of Iraq, five tours in Afghanistan and Pakistan 2002-2017, with a stint at the US Embassy Baghdad.

He earned a Masters of National Security and Strategic Studies from both the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island and from the National War College in Washington, DC. Though government service impeded his physical presence, Chris committed to making the Low Country his home in 2002. A student of Steve Wise and a disciple of Larry Rowland, he served as a Beaufort History Museum docent, on the Santa Elena Foundation Board of Directors, as a National Park Service Ranger at the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, and is on the Beaufort County Historical Society Board.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
”The Naming of Santa Elena,” Christopher Allen

“Beaufort’s 16th Century History,” Larry Rowland

“Future Plans for Santa Elena Exhibit at Coastal Discovery Museum,” Rex Garniewicz

Presentation of Hilton Head Island 500th Anniversary Proclamation.
Comments by Hilton Head Island and Santa Elena Heritage Foundation.

USCB Hilton Head Campus (100 seat classroom) – Prior Registration Required

Register HERE for your free seat!

On Aug. 18, 1526, two Spanish ships entered present-day Port Royal Sound and placed “Rio de Santa Elena” and “Cabo de Santa Elena” on European charts. From that date, “Santa Elena”—the source of the English name “Saint Helena”—has stood with “La Florida” among the oldest European place names in continuous use in what is now the United States. The anniversary highlights a chapter of American history that predates the better-known stories of the Mayflower, Jamestown, the Lost Colony, and St. Augustine. Santa Elena later became the capital of Spanish La Florida and a center for exploration, settlement, and Catholic missions across a vast portion of the present-day Southeast.

The site, located near the Legends Golf Course on Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. Archaeological investigation at Santa Elena continues, adding to understanding of the Spanish and French colonial presence in the Lowcountry and its place in the larger history of North America.While we remember 250, let us not forget 500!  Before Minutemen, Puritans, Pocahontas, Roanoke's Lost Colony, and Saint Augustine, Europeans visited Beaufort County and placed our home on world maps.

On 18 August 11AM, a new marker commemorating Beaufort's 16th Century will be unveiled at the Santa Elena site on Parris Island. 

Intended Schedule of Events:

1030 (No later than) process through gate security.

1045 gather at the Santa Elena site

1100 Commence 

  MCRD-PI Opening Remarks

  Reading of the Beaufort County Proclamation (TBD)

  Unveil the updated marker (BCHS and Town of PR reps)

  Dr Larry Rowland- 4 min. Historical significance of 1526 Ayllon and SE naming

  Dr Chester DePratter (Archaeoligist who worked extensively on the Santa Elana site)- 4 min. Santa Elena colony archaeological significance

  President of the BCHS- 2 min. remarks

  Town of Port Royal-2 min. remarks

  Group photo

1130 Conclude

1145 No-Host lunch at "Traditions" on PI (BCHS will treat DRs Rowland and DePratter)

SPECIAL NOTE:

For those wanting to attend without military credentials, come early and bring driver’s license, vehicle registration & proof of insurance. Infom the gate guard that you are attending a Museum event at the Santa Elena site at the Golf Course.

Part 1 of this exciting program focusses on Alexander Hamilton’s life, it's impact, and enduring legacy of America’s founding financial archtect. Jimmy Napoli, an Alexander Hamilton scholar, provides this insightful presentation to give context to the play that follows.

Part 2 of the program is the story of Rachael Faucette, Alexander Hamilton’s mother, a woman of scandal, strength and survival. The solo performance by New York actor Eva Dorrepaal tells the riveting tale of Alexander’s early years on the isle of St. Croix. This one woman show reveals the influence of his dynamic, tenacious and independent mother as she struggles to prepare her sons for the harsh realities of 18th century West Indies.

Jimmy Napoli of NYC and St Croix and his wife, actor Eva Dorrepaal will present a 2 part program with a brief intermission.

Sponsored by the Beaufort County Historical Society, the University of South Carolina/Osher Lifelong Learning Instiute and the Office of Cultural Affairs of Hilton Head.

Obtain your FREE tickets by clicking on the link below!

Hamilton Event - Raising a Revolutionary – Fill out form

Part 1 of this exciting program focusses on Alexander Hamilton’s life, it's impact, and enduring legacy of America’s founding financial archtect. Jimmy Napoli, an Alexander Hamilton scholar, provides this insightful presentation to give context to the play that follows.

Part 2 of the program is the story of Rachael Faucette, Alexander Hamilton’s mother, a woman of scandal, strength and survival. The solo performance by New York actor Eva Dorrepaal tells the riveting tale Alexander’s early years on the isle of St. Croix. This one woman show reveals the influence of his dynamic, tenacious and independent mother as she struggles to prepare her sons for the harsh realities of 18th century West Indies.

Jimmy Napoli of NYC and St Croix and his wife, actor Eva Dorrepaal will present a 2 part program with a brief intermission.

Sponsored by the Beaufort County Historical Society, the University of South Carolina/Osher Lifelong Learning Instiute and the Office of Cultural Affairs of Hilton Head.

Obtain your FREE tickets by clicking on the link below!

Hamilton Event - Raising a Revolutionary – Fill out form

Part 1 of this exciting program focusses on Alexander Hamilton’s life, it's impact, and enduring legacy of America’s founding financial archtect. Jimmy Napoli, an Alexander Hamilton scholar, provides this insightful presentation to give context to the play that follows.

Part 2 of the program is the story of Rachael Faucette, Alexander Hamilton’s mother, a woman of scandal, strength and survival. The solo performance by New York actor Eva Dorrepaal tells the riveting tale Alexander’s early years on the isle of St. Croix. This one woman show reveals the influence of his dynamic, tenacious and independent mother as she struggles to prepare her sons for the harsh realities of 18th century West Indies.

Jimmy Napoli of NYC and St Croix and his wife, actor Eva Dorrepaal will present a 2 part program with a brief intermission.

Sponsored by the Beaufort County Historical Society, the University of South Carolina/Osher Lifelong Learning Instiute and the Office of Cultural Affairs of Hilton Head.

Obtain your FREE tickets by clicking on the link below!

Hamilton Event - Raising a Revolutionary – Fill out form