History – Tidelines

June at the Charleston Museum

There is always something interesting happening at the Charleston Museum! Here is what is planned for June.

Upcoming June Events at Charleston’s Historic Plantations

Community Days ◊ June 28, 2026

In honor of Carolina Day and the country’s 250th anniversary, Drayton Hall Preservation Trust is pleased to welcome guests on June 28, 2026, free of charge.

Step back in time with colonial games and demonstrations, meet the archaeologists and explore their latest discoveries, including a visit to the current excavation site—an extraordinary late-1600s well. Stroll the landscape, take in the grand oaks, and enjoy scenic river views.

Pre-registration is required, and space is limited.

Click here to learn more and to register.

Magnolia Speaker Series: Virginia Watson ◊ June 17, 2026 6:30-7:30 pm

Born and raised in Mount Pleasant, SC, Virginia “Genya” Watson observed her mother, Ms. Elizabeth Stokes, for many years as she crafted sweetgrass baskets. Although Genya learned the tradition of making sweetgrass baskets, she fell in love with the artistic concept of handcrafting dolls since the 1950s. As a child, Genya’s dolls consisted of soda bottles, grass blades, and raggedy old clothing. It wasn’t long before Genya realized she had been blessed with a unique and memorable gift!

Genya has taken up her childhood mantle and is “playing” with dolls once again; she is honored to present her very own one-of-a-kind Gullah Dolls of Charleston. The handcrafted dolls are accessorized with sweetgrass blades, evening dress purses, baskets, and their head wraps. These dolls can be seen at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C.

Registration is required for this free event. Click here to learn more and to register.

Art of Needle Felting Workshop ◊ June 4, 2026, 6:00-8:00 pm

Visit Middleton Place for a creative needle felting workshop and enjoy wine and light bites as accomplished Lowcountry fiber artist Kim Keelor guides you in crafting your own Middleton Place sheep wall hanging. Suitable for all skill levels and requiring no sewing, you’ll learn the art of needle felting with wool, using fibers from Middleton Place’s Gulf Coast sheep, and leave with an 8-inch finished landscape piece ready to display at home.

The price of the workshop is $95 for non-members. Click here to learn more and to purchase tickets.

–Tidelines Editors

Indigo Exhibit and Workshop

Indigo Explorations: Conversation and Indigo Workshop
Aiken-Rhett House, 48 Elizabeth Street
Saturday, May 23, 2026
4:00 – 6:30 pm

On May 23, Historic Charleston Foundation hosts a hands-on indigo dyeing workshop inspired by the current exhibition Indigo: Variations in Blue, now open through June 28, at the c.1820 Aiken-Rhett House. Curator Tushara Bindu Gude and artists Arianne King Comer, Precious Jennings, and Monique de La Tour will lead a brief tour of the original art exhibition before settling in for a hands-on workshop and live demonstrations of wax resist, string resist, and arashi pole-wrap dyeing techniques. Participants will create their own textiles while the artists share insights into their practice and discuss the history, cultivation, and cultural significance of indigo.

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to learn three distinct natural dying techniques with the exhibiting artists. No experience necessary and all supplies are included in the $55 fee. Program designed for ages 17+ and registration is required. Student discount available upon request.

The exhibit Indigo: Variations in Blue, is available to view with admission to the Aiken-Rhett House Museum through June 28, 2026. The Museum is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10:00 am – 4:00 pm and Monday, 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Both house museums will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. Purchase admission tickets online here.

-Submitted by Historic Charleston Foundation

(Image credit: Historic Charleston Foundation)

Benefit Concert with Bill Murray and Jan Vogler

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.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Middleton Place)

Revolutionary Ideas Symposium

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).

Tickets: On sale now!

–Tidelines Editors

Upcoming Events at Charleston’s Historic Plantations

Charleston Brass Symphony Quarter ◊ May 23, 2026

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.

–Tidelines Editors

May at the Charleston Museum

There is always something interesting happening at the Charleston Museum! Here is what they have planned for May.

Reminder: SINHG Member Appreciation Night

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

(Image Credit: SINHG.org)

SINHG Member Appreciation Night

-Submitted by Annie Snelgrove for Seabrook Island Natural History Group

(Image Credit: SINHG.org)

Explore Charleston’s Congregations with a Spirited Brunch

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.

Date: Sunday, May 3, from 12:30-3:30 pm

Click here for more information on this event.

Click here to find the participating congregations and their snacks.

–Tidelines Editors

New Exhibit: Conversations of Freedom: The American Revolution at Middleton Place

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.

Click here to learn more about the program.

–Tidelines Editors

SINHG Program April 9

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.