Charleston
South Carolina
The Charleston Museum Newsletter - September 2022
Arts and Entertainment
September 5, 2022
From: The Charleston Museum
Tours for both historic houses are on the half hour from 10 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and 12 to 5 pm Sunday. Last tour of the day begins at 4:30 pm.
September 2 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department
September 5 - Labor Day: Museum and Historic Houses OPEN
September 7 - Kid Tours: At the Beach
September 9 - Conversations with a Curator: Parrots with Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson
September 9 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department
September 10* - In Defense of Charleston: A Tour of Batteries Pringle & Tynes with Chief of Collections Jennifer McCormick
September 10* - Fall Wreath Design Workshop with Local Designer & Master Florist Pia Geraghty
September 15* - Homeschool History Day: Ancient Egypt SOLD OUT
September 16 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department
September 17* - Indigo Dyeing Workshop with Local Artist Kristy Bishop
September 17* - Lowcountry Ecology Tour with Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson
September 22 - A Legacy in Silk: Eliza Lucas Pinckney's Gown Lecture with Curator of Historic Textiles Virginia Theerman
September 23 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department
September 24* - Intro to Natural Dyeing Workshop with Local Artist Kristy Bishop
September 27* - Discovery Day: Unbe-LEAF-able
September 30 - Fossil Friday with the Natural History Department
Reservations Required
A Legacy in Silk: Eliza Lucas Pinckney's Gown Lecture with Curator of Historic Textiles
Virginia Theerman
Thursday, September 22 | 6:00 PM
Join Curator of Historic Textiles, Virginia Theerman, as we kick off The Charleston Museum’s 2022 fall lecture series. Theerman will be speaking about one of the treasures of the Museum’s collection: Eliza Luca's Pinckney's pink silk robe à la française. Theerman will discuss the history of the gown, its time in the Museum's care, and dressing the gown for new photography. Learn more about the delicate balance of preservation versus accessibility, as preparations are made for the gown to be temporarily exhibited next year in honor of The Charleston Museum's 250th anniversary.
Registration is encouraged. This lecture is FREE and open to the public.
SUGGESTED DONATION $10
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235
SAVE THE DATE:
October 27 | 6 PM
Joshua Lockwood: Revolutionary Clockmaker of Charles Town with
Curator of History Chad Stewart
November 8 | 6 PM
Conversations with a Curator: Parrots with
Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson
Friday, September 9 | 10:30 AM
Join Curator of Natural History Matthew Gibson for a close up look at parrots from the Museum’s ornithology collection. Learn about the interesting biology of these beautiful animals and what their colors, body shape, and beaks can tell us about how they live. Gibson will also talk about the parrot pet trade in early Charleston and its impact on wild populations. Of particular importance will be the story of the Carolina parakeet, the once only native parrot to North America, and its subsequent extinction.
Conversations with a Curator allows visitors a chance to have an in-depth look at an object or exhibit in the Museum galleries, ask questions and spark conversations. The Charleston Museum’s collections are both extraordinary and diverse and each Curator-led tour allows participants to immerse themselves in a different aspect of Charleston’s rich history.
This program is FREE for Members and FREE with admission.
In Defense of Charleston: A Tour of Batteries Pringle & Tynes with Chief of Collections Jennifer McCormick
Saturday, September 10 | 9:30 - 11:30 AM
In 1863 the Confederate earthworks, Batteries Pringle and Tynes, were constructed by enslaved people and soldiers to serve as part of General P.G.T. Beauregard's "New Lines." Hurriedly constructed, both served as part of the James Island defenses which protected Charleston from Federal attack via Morris and Folly Islands. Although well-armed, the small number of officers and enlisted men posted to these fortifications endured heat, supply shortages and punishing artillery barrages in the summer of 1864, when the strategic defensive position became the target of Federal forces on the Stono River.
Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the batteries are protected within the confines of The Charleston Museum's Dill Sanctuary and are regarded among the most well-preserved Confederate fortifications in the country.
Join Chief of Collections Jennifer McCormick to explore these historically important landmarks and better understand their strategic importance in the Civil War.
Please note: this is an "off-road" location with steep inclines and unprepared terrain. Walking shoes/boots are recommended.
Registration is required.
$40 Museum Members | $55 Non-Members
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235
Lowcountry Ecology Tour with Curator of
Natural History Matthew Gibson
Saturday, September 17 | 10:00 - 11:30 AM
Join Natural History Curator Matthew Gibson on a nature walk through The Charleston Museum's Dill Sanctuary, where you will get an in-depth look at the ecological diversity of the Lowcountry. This tour will not only give you the chance to see nature close-up, but you might just see things you haven't noticed before. Come learn about the significant differences between invasive and non-invasive species, negative impacts on endangered species, and the steps you can take to help conserve our environment. Bring your binoculars and discover birds that call the Dill Sanctuary home and why the Sanctuary is an important stop along migration routes.
Please note: this is an "off-road" location with steep inclines and unprepared terrain. Walking shoes/boots are recommended.
Registration is required.
$25 Museum Members | $40 Non-Members
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235
Fall Wreath Design Workshop with Local Floral Designer & Master Certified Florist Pia Geraghty
Saturday, September 10 | 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Join Pia Geraghty, European Master Certified florist, as she leads a floral design class at The Charleston Museum! Participants will have the chance to craft a beautiful fall wreath with preserved and fresh botanicals. Using mosses, local produce, long lasting and fresh flowers create a vibrant wreath that can go on a front door. This workshop will include a brief educational introduction on the historical, botanical, and professional aspects of floral design followed by a demonstration and personalized instruction.
Geraghty is a local floral designer with over 20 years’ experience and owner of The Secret Garden Charleston. Initially trained in Denmark, she most recently became a European Master Certified florist. She is passionate about her craft, interested in sustainability, and often looks to classic practices to learn more about her profession.
All materials and instruction provided in this workshop.
Space is limited. Reservations required.
$150 Museum Members | $185 Non-Members
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235
Indigo Dyeing Workshop with Local Artist
Kristy Bishop
Saturday, September 17 | 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Join local artist Kristy Bishop as she leads an introductory workshop on dyeing with indigo at the Dill Sanctuary! Participants will have the chance to learn about the history of this dye plant as it pertains to South Carolina, the chemistry of a vat, and dye fabric using shibori tie-dye methods. Bishop will focus on itajime (folding and clamped resist), kumo (bound resist), and Nui (stitched resist). These three techniques all yield unique and beautiful patterns. Attendees will be able to sample these methods on 12” x 12” cotton squares. Once comfortable they will be able to dye a 24” x 24” cotton fabric and an 11” x 60” crepe de chine silk scarf. In addition, participants are encouraged to bring personal items to dye such as a garment, yarn, or even colored fabric to over-dye.
All materials, instruction and admission to the Dill Sanctuary will be provided in this workshop. Space is limited. Reservations required.
$150 Museum Members | $185 Non-Members
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235
Intro to Natural Dyeing Workshop with
Local Artist Kristy Bishop
Saturday, September 24 | 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Charleston fiber artist, Kristy Bishop will lead workshop participants through the exciting world of natural dyes. We are surrounded by plants that may seem ordinary, but with some knowledge they can yield the richest and most beautiful colors. Whether its onion skins or annatto seeds from the local grocer, goldenrod picked from a roadside, or a more exotic dyes such as indigo, cochineal or madder root that have been cultivated and traded worldwide, participants will learn how to extract color that is lightfast, permanent, and brilliant!
Participants will dye fabric samples of linen, silk, cotton gauze, and wool yarn and record results on dye recipe cards. We’ll learn about the fundamentals of dyeing using mordants and afterbaths and how these variables can alter the color of the dyed fabric. Participants will be able to dye a silk/wool blend 11” x 60” scarf after experimenting with their recipe fabric samples.
All materials, instruction and admission to the Dill Sanctuary will be provided in this workshop. Space is limited. Reservations required.
$150 Museum Members | $185 Non-Members
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235
Kid Tours: At the Beach
Wednesday, September 7 | 3:30 - 4:30 PM
What is a mermaid's purse? Where does sand come from? Do shark's have dentists? Learn about all the weird and wonderful things you may find on the beach! Make your own sand art and decorate a jellyfish. Kid Tours is a series designed to highlight artifacts from our collection that have fascinated children for years. Kid Tours meets every Wednesday during the months of June and July at 3:30 PM. This program includes a tour highlighting the weekly theme and an engaging craft project or educational activity.
FREE for Members and FREE with admission to The Charleston Museum.
For more information call 843.722.2996 ext. 236
Discovery Day: Unbe-LEAF-able
Tuesday, September 27| 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Leaves come in all shapes, sizes, and colors! Go on a nature walk to collect leaves, create leaf rubbings, make animals with leaves, and paint leaves to make a stamp. Discovery Day is designed for young learners (ages 2 to 5 yrs) to explore the Museum, historic houses and Dill Sanctuary with a parent or guardian. Program fee includes admission for one child and one adult.
Reservations required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
$10 Museum Members | $15 Non-Members
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 236
Community Day at the Dill Sanctuary
Saturday, October 8 | 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Come experience the largest area of privately protected land on James Island, The Charleston Museum’s Dill Sanctuary! On October 8, the Museum invites the community to tour this precious landscape to learn more about the rich historic and natural features located within this 580-acre wildlife preserve. Museum staff will be on hand to discuss recent accomplishments at the Sanctuary including preservation of the Civil War batteries, archaeological research, as well as natural resource management. Attendees can take guided tours, hear special presentations on the history and ecology of the property, hike to the wildlife pond, and participate in educational children’s activities, all while enjoying the natural environment of this Lowcountry treasure.
This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration is encouraged. ***SUGGESTED DONATION $10***
The Charleston Museum: America's First Museum Book Launch
Thursday, October 13 | 6:00 - 7:30 PM
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of its founding in 1773, The Charleston Museum is pleased to announce the release of a special commemorative volume, published by the University of South Carolina Press, entitled The Charleston Museum: America’s First Museum. Authored by Director Carl P. Borick, with contributions from Museum curatorial staff, this work features a history of the Museum, overviews of each of its collections, sections on the Heyward-Washington House, Joseph Manigault House and the Dill Sanctuary, along with beautiful photographs of nearly one hundred objects from the Museum’s impressive collections in archaeology, natural history, archived materials, decorative arts, weaponry, and historic textiles.
On October 13 at 6:00 pm, The Charleston Museum invites the community to share in the excitement of the upcoming momentous anniversary for America’s first museum with the official launch event for this celebratory publication.
This special event is FREE and open to the public (registration is recommended). The evening will begin in the Museum’s Arthur M. Wilcox Auditorium with a presentation, followed by a brief Q&A segment. Afterwards, a light reception will be held in the main lobby with books available for purchase. Mr. Borick and other contributors will be on hand during the event to sign books.
Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235
The Timelessness of Joshua Lockwood
Joshua Lockwood was the son of Joshua Lockwood, Sr. (born in Worcester, England c. 1699), and Sarah Lee (born in Bridgetown Barbados c. 1722), the daughter of Worcester-born parents. Accounts of Joshua Lockwood’s place of birth vary. Most secondary sources place his birth as having occurred in Worcester, England on 5 November 1729, but Lockwood family tradition says he was born and spent his early years in Dorchester (now the site of Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site) in South Carolina, his parents having immigrated to the colony in 1723. Both parents had roots in Worcestershire, England, but like many early Carolinians his mother’s family, the Lees, had come to the Lowcountry by way of Barbados. It is likely that the two met in Carolina and that Joshua was born there and not in England.