African-American contributions

Historians, craftsmen, Civil War re-enactors and a storyteller will present a spectrum of African-American history from colonial times to the present during a Black History Month program Feb. 11 at Magnolia Plantation and Gardens.

The day-long event - "From Slavery to Freedom" - will feature speakers in the Carriage House and outdoor demonstrations along "the street" at Magnolia's award-winning slave cabin project.

The program also coincides with the American Heritage Merit Badge Program for local Boy Scout troops. Magnolia is the only local organization that teaches the American Heritage Merit Badge as it pertains to African-American history.

Magnolia's history consultant, Joseph McGill, said Magnolia's "From Slavery to Freedom" program takes the bold steps daily to interpret the contributions of enslaved and free people on a Southern plantation.

The Black History Month program, he said, offers an opportunity to broaden the discussion of the role African-Americans played in Lowcountry culture. "The wide array of presenters and subject matters is an indication that African Americans contributed to numerous facets of this nation's history."

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History, founded in 1915 by educator and historian Carter G. Woodson, is calling for Black History Month events this year to highlight the contributions of black women in American history and culture. In keeping with ASALH's nationwide call, presenters during Magnolia's program will include the contributions of women.

On Feb. 11, the Black History Month program and guided tours of the "From Slavery to Freedom" cabin project are free with a $15 garden admission. The times and the events in the Carriage House are:

10 a.m., Michael D. Coker, assistant to the director, Old Exchange Building, Colonial Roots: African Americans in the Lowcountry.

11 a.m., Dr. Bernard Powers, history professor, College of Charleston, African American role in the Civil War.

1 p.m., Storyteller Alada Shinault-Small, "Gullah Storytime: Cum Yeddi!"

1:30 p.m., Joseph McGill, Slave Dwelling Project.

2:30 p.m., Preston Cooley, Magnolia historian, abolitionist Archibald Grimke.

3:30 p.m., Dr. John Rashford, anthropology professor, College of Charleston, Plants in African Religious Traditions of the Americas.

4:30 p.m., genealogist and historian Toni Carrier, Lowcountry Africana, University of South Florida.

Concurrent outdoor demonstrations at the "From Slavery to Freedom" cabin project will begin 10 a.m. and end 3 p.m. They include:

Storyteller Alada Shinault-Small, "Gullah Storytime: Cum Yeddi!"

Rodney Prioleau, master mason, Fort Sumter National Monument, brick laying demonstration.

African-American Civil War re-enactors, 54th Massachusetts, Co. I, Civil War Reenactment Regiment.

Heather Welch, Magnolia's food historian, cooking with the Mass. 54th.

Blacksmith Joseph "Ronnie" Pringle and Carlton Simmons, Simmons Blacksmith Shop. Pringle and Simmons were trained by legendary blacksmith Philip Simmons.

Interpretation of the "From Slavery to Freedom" cabin project will also feature Isaac Leach, a member of the Magnolia garden staff, who will discuss his experience of living in one of the cabins with his family.

Tom Johnson, Magnolia's director of gardens, said Magnolia has consistently told the story of the role African Americans played in the creation and maintenance of the gardens. Magnolia's camellia collection includes two plants named for Tina Gilliard, who was a long-time greeter at Magnolia in the early 1900s, and the Rev. John Bennett, former Magnolia garden superintendent.

Black history

In honor of Black History month, educators throughout the Lowcountry and beyond are invited to bring their students to experience a special two-day event hosted by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. Celebrating the traditions and histories of Africa and the Diaspora, African American Heritage Days will take place at North Charleston Wannamaker County Park on Thursday, Feb. 23 and Friday, Feb. 24.

From its roots in Africa to its branches in the Caribbean, the Americas, and especially South Carolina, elementary and middle school students will be immersed in culture and history through a variety of activities including demonstrations, reenactments, performances and hands-on experiences.

Students will tour through seven exhibit areas. Demonstrations and presentations will include the following topics:

Capoeira

Gullah storytelling

Steel drumming

Sweetgrass basketry and slavery artifact exhibit

Carolina rice and indigo history

Sierra Leone

54th Massachusetts reenactors

Events will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Events on Thursday, Feb. 23 are designed specifically for elementary school students and Friday, Feb. 24 is intended for elementary and middle school students interested in attending the event. Registration fees are $8 per student. One chaperone per eight students receives free admission. Pre-registration is required to participate in this event.

Boxed lunches are available for purchase and orders should be placed at least two weeks in advance. Participants are welcome to bring their own lunch; however, snacks and drinks will be available for purchase on site. Wannamaker County Park is located at 8888 University Blvd. (Highway 78) in North Charleston. For more information on African American Heritage Days or to register, call 843-795-4386. Also visit www.ccprc.com.

New exhibit

Boone Hall Plantation and Gardens added a groundbreaking addition to the Boone Hall experience.

Visitors can now take a journey through an exciting new exhibit, "Black History In America."

What really makes this exhibit unique is that this story will be told using eight of the original slave cabins located on Boone Hall Plantation.

Each of the cabins on Slave Street present different themes in telling the black history story.

Visitors are able to see the different aspects of daily life, how they worked and lived, struggles that were faced, as well as follow different periods of historical progression from the beginning all the way up to present day.

Life size figures, pre-recorded narratives, audiovisual presentations, photos, pictures, biographical information and actual historical relics are interwoven and meshed together in displays throughout the cabins presenting this new exhibit.

Themes for each cabin are as follows:

Cabin 1 - Praise House

Cabin 2 - Slave Crafts

Cabin 3 - Their Life & Family

Cabin 4 - Archaeological Discoveries

Cabin 5 - Their Work and Life

Cabin 6 - Emancipation & Freedom

Cabin 7 - Struggle For Civil Rights

Cabin 8 - Heroes and Leaders

There is no additional charge for to tour this exhibit. Admission to this exhibit is included with admission to Boone Hall Plantation & Gardens.

For school group rates and scheduling, please e-mail jenniferc@boonehallplantation.com.

Gullah heritage

Every Saturday in February and March at 2 p.m. you can learn about Gullah heritage through free interpretive programs at Charles Pinckney National Hisoric site..

Feb 4 Carolyn "Jabulile" White, Sea Island storyteller Vera Manigault, sweetgrass baskets

Feb 11 Anita Singleton-Prather, "Pearlie Sue" Gullah tales Vera Manigault, sweetgrass baskets

Feb 18 Sharon & Frank Murray, rice production Elijah Ford, sweetgrass baskets

Feb 25 Ann Caldwell & the Magnolia Singers, spirituals Jeannette Lee, sweetgrass baskets

(Send your event notices to news@moultrienews.com and visit www.moultrienews.com to read stories online).