A Special Benefit Concert at Middleton Place June 1, 2026 7:30-10:00 pm
Enjoy a one-night-only evening with New Worlds, featuring Bill Murray, Jan Vogler, and friends, presented beneath a tent under the Oaks at Middleton Place.
Blending classical music, literature, and storytelling, New Worlds is a dynamic, engaging performance that is both thoughtful and deeply moving. This Charleston premiere brings together acclaimed actor and writer Bill Murray and renowned cellist Jan Vogler in a program that has been performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages. Set within an intimate, open-air environment, this rare appearance offers a unique opportunity to experience world-class artists in a unique setting.
This special evening is a benefit concert supporting the urgent stabilization and restoration of the historic Chapel and Spring House at Middleton Place.
Click here to learn more about the program and to purchase tickets.
A Two-Day Scholarly Symposium Exploring 250 Years of American Independence
Revolutionary Ideas: Origins, Contexts, and Legacies of American Independence welcomes a remarkable international gathering of historians, biographers, and statesmen at the Dock Street Theatre on June 24 and 25, 2026. Scholars Jon Meacham, Vincent Brown, Maya Jasanoff, Andrew O’Shaughnessy, Sir Michael Fallon, and more will be featured over the two days. Co-presented with SC250 Charleston, the symposium asks the questions that anniversaries can skip past — what made the Revolution possible, who it left out, what it set in motion, and why it still resonates today.
When: Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25, 2026
Where: The Dock Street Theatre, 135 Church Street, Charleston, SC
Presented by: Charleston Literary Festival and SC250 Charleston
In collaboration with: International African American Museum (IAAM), Charleston Library Society, South Carolina Historical Society, and the Ditchley Foundation (UK).
Experience Drayton Hall After Hours and bring a date, gather your friends, or make it a family night out at Drayton Hall at Night.
Stroll the grounds as the sun sets and enjoy the stunning beauty of the landscape, enhanced by live music from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra’s Brass Quartet, performing from the iconic portico throughout the evening. The house will be open for self-guided tours, with knowledgeable interpreters on hand to share the rich history of Drayton Hall.
A Cup of History: The Way of Tea◊ May 30, 2026
Tea lovers and history enthusiasts alike are invited to experience A Cup of History at Drayton Hall, a one-of-a-kind event that explores the intersection of fine Chinese teas and the fight for American independence.
At the heart of this experience is a curated tea service featuring premium Chinese teas, carefully selected to reflect the types imported to the American colonies before the Revolution. Savor prized teas produced in China using centuries-old traditional methods and experience Cha Dao, The Way of Tea, while learning how tea—once a luxury of empire—became a catalyst for protest and political upheaval.
Guests will enjoy a tour of Drayton Hall with curator Amber Satterthwaite followed by a presentation and guided tea tasting led by tea expert Richard Kligler of For All the Tea in Charleston. You’ll also explore how global commerce, British taxation, and local resistance converged over tea, and how it became both a daily ritual and a symbol of resistance during a time of tension and transformation.
Click here for additional information on these and other events at Drayton Hall.
After Hours Wine Stroll◊ May 15, 2026
As the golden hour hits the gardens, enjoy an evening where the wine flows as easily as the conversation. Wander world-famous garden paths, drink in hand, and witness the spectacular May blooms. Hydrangeas will be bursting with color, and namesake Southern magnolia trees will be showing off their iconic white blossoms.
Savor curated wine selections paired with delicious light bites, all while unwinding to the soulful sounds of live music in the garden.
A Fairytale Summer: Fairies & Flowers◊ May 16 through July 12, 2026
This summer, step into the Fairies & Flowers exhibit and experience a dreamy adventure through 20+ whimsical fairy village dwellings along acres of winding garden paths.
Layered scenes and stories appear among historic gardens, inviting guests of all ages to seek and discover hidden treasures tucked throughout the displays.
Each delicate installation is skillfully created by Charleston-based artists, revealing talent and charm in the tiniest details.
Click here for additional information on these and other events at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
Roots Uprising Dance Company: Witness Trees ◊ May 31, 2026
As part of Middleton Place’s 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution programming, Witness Trees at Middleton Place is the premiere of a site-specific dance performance inspired by the Conversations of Freedom exhibit. Presented by Roots Uprising Dance Company with live music from the Colour of Music Festival, this powerful outdoor performance reflects on the stories of freedom, struggle, and resilience connected to the Middleton Place landscape, honoring the deep relationship enslaved Africans and African Americans had with the land.
Click here for additional coverage information on these and other events at Middleton Plantation.
Mark your calendars and save the date for the Annual SINHG Members Appreciation Night on May 14 at 6:00 pm. This special evening promises to be a fun celebration featuring a catered, authentic Lowcountry meal complete with dessert and a selection of beverages, including wine. Attendees will enjoy fellowship, entertainment, gain valuable information about upcoming events, and have the chance to engage in discussions about the group’s future direction.
All current members should have received an invitation to this exclusive gathering. It is important to note that this event is limited to current members only. RSVP deadline is May 1. Our membership year runs from June 1 through May 31 of the following year. If you are uncertain about your membership status or have any other inquiries regarding this event, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@sinhg.org. We are happy to help.
-Submitted by Annie Snelgrove for Seabrook Island Natural History Group
Mark your calendars and save the date for the Annual SINHG Members Appreciation Night on May 14 at 6:00 pm. This special evening promises to be a fun celebration featuring a catered, authentic Lowcountry meal complete with dessert and a selection of beverages, including wine. Attendees will enjoy fellowship, entertainment, gain valuable information about upcoming events, and have the chance to engage in discussions about the group’s future direction.
All current members should have received an invitation to this exclusive gathering. It is important to note that this event is limited to current members only. RSVP deadline is May 1. Our membership year runs from June 1 through May 31 of the following year. If you are uncertain about your membership status or have any other inquiries regarding this event, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at info@sinhg.org. We are happy to help.
-Submitted by Annie Snelgrove for Seabrook Island Natural History Group
The Spirited Brunch is a self-guided snack tour of downtown Charleston’s prayerful spaces. Positioned as an open house-type event with every congregation on the Charleston peninsula invited to welcome visitors during the three-hour time frame. Notably, the event presents a rare chance for non-members to peek inside historically and architecturally significant sanctuaries. But what makes Spirited Brunch special is that each house of worship is asked to serve a snack representative of its local community or faith tradition.
Middleton Place welcomes the public to experience their new exhibit, Conversations of Freedom beginning on April 11. Guests will be able to complete a self-guided walkthrough with docents available for questions.
Middleton Place was the birthplace and home of Arthur Middleton, one of 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Conversations of Freedom explores Middleton’s role in the American Revolution and the war’s impact on his family and the enslaved community at Middleton Place.
Presented in the South Flanker House Museum, the exhibition features exceptional 18th century textiles that belonged to Henry and Arthur Middleton along with a rare silk edition of the Declaration of Independence. Period artwork and furniture from the collection will provide historical context and lend authenticity to each gallery.
SINHG Presents Dr. Jerry Reves, Dean Emeritus of MUSC’s College of Medicine
Where: Seabrook Island Lake House When: Thursday, April 9, 2026 Time: Light refreshments at 6:30 pm, Program starts at 7:00 pm
The Seabrook Island Natural History Group (SINHG) is excited to invite you to a captivating evening with Dr. Jerry Reves, Dean Emeritus of MUSC’s College of Medicine. He will be sharing insights from his recently published book, “South Carolina’s Indomitable College of Medicine: The Bicentennial History”, which celebrates the college’s remarkable 200-year legacy. Discover the impressive journey of the 10th-oldest medical school in America and the oldest in the Deep South!
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, Dr. Reves has deep roots in our community. He attended Gaud School for Boys, Darlington School, and Vanderbilt University, before earning his medical degree from the Medical College of South Carolina. His extensive knowledge of our area’s medical needs and contributions is truly remarkable.
Join us on Saturday, April 4 or Saturday April 25 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm for a unique afternoon at Drayton Hall, Charleston’s premier historic site (est. 1738) and named by Condé Nast Traveler as the Best Place to See in South Carolina. Stroll the beautifully preserved grounds with a glass of wine or beer in hand, enjoy live music from Wildflower Station and immerse yourself in the rich stories of the Lowcountry through our Landscape Audio Tour.
“One more Bowl, and Then?”: Punch Drinking in Colonial and Revolutionary America ◊ May 9, 2026
From the beginning of European colonization of North America in the 16th/17th centuries, alcoholic beverages for daily consumption, celebration, and ceremony were commonplace across all strata of society. Punch in particular became a favored drink in taverns and public houses as well as in the homes of the elite, and the materials associated with punch became a niche market for European and Asian ceramic producers.
Excavated punch bowls from Drayton Hall provide the background for the social history of punch and rum on the eve of and during the American Revolution, with an 18th century punch recipe for participants to sample, in addition to two rums typical of what would have been produced in the American colonies and West Indies.
Click here for additional information on these and other events at Drayton Hall.
17th Annual Easter Egg Hunt◊ March 28, 2026
Each spring, families hop over to Magnolia Plantation & Gardens for one of our favorite traditions: the Annual Easter Egg Hunt! This year, we are proud to celebrate our 17th year, almost two decades of egg-citing adventures and sweet memories made beneath the ancient oaks.
Plant Sale◊ April 25 and April 26, 2026
Spring is just around the corner, and there’s no better way to celebrate the season than attending Magnolia’s largest plant sale of the year! Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just beginning to explore the joys of planting, this two-day event is the perfect opportunity to stock up on plants, gain valuable knowledge, and immerse yourself in the world of gardening.
Click here for additional information on these and other events at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens.
Ink & Quill Writing◊ April 11, 2026
Ink & quill was the original paper and pen and was widely used during the American Revolution to write patriot correspondence, loyalist letters, and British proclamations promising freedom. Guests are invited to try their hand at writing with this Revolutionary method in this drop-in style program.
Rice Planting ◊ April 15, 2026
We’ll be planting Carolina Gold rice in our demonstration rice field. Stop by to learn about this labor-intensive crop and the specialized knowledge of enslaved African men and women who cultivated it.
Click here for additional coverage information on these and other events at Middleton Plantation.
