Beaufort250

Pops with Ben
2026-06-29 16:30 - 18:00 UTC | Heyward House Museum, 70 Boundary Street, Bluffton, SC, 29910, United States
Get Ready for Pops with Ben!
Step back in time at Heyward House with a special visit from Benjamin Franklin!
Meet Benjamin Franklin, portrayed by renowned living history interpreter Greg Robin Smith, in this free, family-friendly event designed to bring history to life.
Children will be encouraged to ask questions, interact, and engage directly with a Founding Father in a fun and welcoming environment.
Enjoy “Pops with Ben” 🍧 as Palmetto Pops will be on the grounds selling popsicles, and children will receive flags courtesy of the Heritage Library (while supplies last).
Take part in “A Portrait with a Founding Father”, a memorable photo opportunity with Benjamin Franklin.
June 29, 2026
4:30 PM
Heyward House Museum
Free admission | Registration encouraged

Publick Discourse with Founding Friend Dr Benjamin Franklin
2026-06-29 15:00 - 16:00 | Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton, SC, 29910, United States
Notice is hereby given to all Loyal Citizens, Industrious Merchants, and Learned Scholars of the Towne of Bluffton and the surrounding Provinces, that a Meeting for Publick Discourse will be held with Founding Friend, Dr. Benjamin Franklin. All ages welcome.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN ALIVE - BRUNCH WITH BEN
2026-06-29 10:30 - 12:00 | USCB Bluffton, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton, SC, 29909, United States
GregRobin Smith, performing as Benjamin Franklin, presents a first-person Chautauqua-style program exploring Franklin’s life, ideas, and legacy through scholarship, storytelling, and audience interaction. Join Mr.Franklin for brunch.
$40 (RSVP HERE)

Explore Carolina
2026-06-29 | SC
Experiencing S.C.’s sites, trails, and rivers and the history they hold.
South Carolina played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Our state witnessed more Revolutionary War engagements than any other, and the Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776 marked one of the first significant victories for the Patriot cause. The courage shown that day by South Carolinians defending their home set the tone for the resilience and independence that would define a new nation. Each year, Carolina Day honors that legacy, and in 2026, its anniversary will be even more meaningful as it coincides with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

Carolina Day
2026-06-28 | SC
A day of commemoration of the Battle of Sullivan’s Island.
▪ Fly the South Carolina flag
▪ Church bells ring throughout communities
▪ Day of service
South Carolina played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Our state witnessed more Revolutionary War engagements than any other, and the Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776 marked one of the first significant victories for the Patriot cause. The courage shown that day by South Carolinians defending their home set the tone for the resilience and independence that would define a new nation. Each year, Carolina Day honors that legacy, and in 2026, its anniversary will be even more meaningful as it coincides with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

Liberty & Legacy
2026-06-27 10:00 - 13:00 | Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton, SC, 29910, United States
A family-friendly celebration that brings history to life through colonial-themed crafts and games, trivia, and more.

Disclaimer(s)

Say Cheese! We love to take photos at our events and within library spaces. The library may use these photos in print, online, or on social media. If you do not consent, please inform a staff member at the event.

Carolina Days! Let's Celebrate!
2026-06-27 - 2026-07-05 | SC
This year marks the 250th anniversary of both the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Battle of Sullivan’s Island, a major early victory in the American Revolution that helped turn the tide of the war. The South Carolina Sesquicentennial Commission (SC250) has prepared a calendar of events to help your community celebrate “Carolina Days”.

Celebrate Carolina
2026-06-27 | SC
Communities coming together to celebrate all things, South Carolina!
South Carolina played a pivotal role in the American Revolution. Our state witnessed more Revolutionary War engagements than any other, and the Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776 marked one of the first significant victories for the Patriot cause. The courage shown that day by South Carolinians defending their home set the tone for the resilience and independence that would define a new nation. Each year, Carolina Day honors that legacy, and in 2026, its anniversary will be even more meaningful as it coincides with the nation’s 250th birthday celebration.

Da' Gullah American Revolutionary Experience
2026-06-26 19:00 - 2026-06-27 21:00 | USCB Beaufort, 805 Carteret St, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Gullah Traveling Theater, Inc. (GTTI) proudly presents Da’ Gullah American Revolutionary Experience, an electrifying new theatrical production that premiered July 19 & 20, 2025, in Bluffton, SC, at May River Theater. Commissioned and funded by the South Carolina 250th American Revolutionary Anniversary Sestercentennial Commission, this groundbreaking play illuminates the untold stories of the Gullah people and their vital yet often overlooked contributions to the American Revolution (1770-1783).
USCB Performing Arts Center, Beaufort | Friday & Saturday, June 26 & 27, 2026 @ 7pm
May River Theater, Bluffton | Saturday, July 18, 2026 @ 2pm & 6pm | Sunday, July 19, 2026 @ 3pm​
Tickets for the full-stage production on sale June 1, 2026
https://www.gullahkinfolktravelingtheater.org/revolution-show
Don’t miss this must-see production!

HarbourFest Fireworks
2026-06-23 20:30 - 21:30, 2026-06-16 20:30 - 21:30 | Shelter Cover Harbour, 13 Harbourside Ln, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928
Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary at Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina with the beloved HarbourFest fireworks—reimagined each week with special patriotic flair. Enjoy BIGGER and BETTER shows each week as we celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial.

SHELTER COVE HARBOURFEST FIREWORKS SCHEDULE

2026 FireworksSchedule

Tuesdays: June 9, 16, 23, & 30
Saturday, July 4th
Tuesdays: July 7, 14, 21, & 28
Tuesdays: August 4, 11, & 18

*All fireworks shows start when the sky is dark. No drones allowed during fireworks shows.

LIVE HARBOURFEST PERFORMANCES

SHANNON TANNER

FAMILY SHOW
Two shows: 6:30 p.m. & 8 p.m.​

Memorial Day Weekend: Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24
Mon – Thurs from May 25 – June 4
Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from June 8 – August 20 plus a special patriotic show on Saturday, July 4thNo shows August 25 – September 4

CAPPY THE CLOWN

6 p.m. – 9 p.m.

Memorial Day Weekend: Saturday, May 23 & Sunday, May 24
Monday – Friday from May 25 – September 4 plus
Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, September 5 & Sunday, September 6

PARROT PALOOZAwith Shannon Tanner & The Oyster Reefers

Shows start at 7 p.m.

Thursdays: June 11 – August 20
Labor Day Weekend: Saturday, September 5 & Sunday, September 6

When using a GPS, please use the address: 13 Harbourside Ln.

Play Like It's 1776 - HHI
2026-06-23 14:00 - 15:00 | Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926, United States
Youth and families are invited to travel back in time to engage with American Revolutionary times through crafts and games.

Disclaimer(s)

Accompanying Adult(s) This program is designed for youth and accompanying adults. Please plan to attend and be engaged with your child for this program. Drop offs are not permitted.

Say Cheese! We love to take photos at our events and within library spaces. The library may use these photos in print, online, or on social media. If you do not consent, please inform a staff member at the event.

SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORY SEEPED IN TEA
2026-06-23 10:00 - 12:00 | USCB Beaufort, 805 Carteret St, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Enjoy learning about the role tea played in the American Revolution here in South Carolina. This class will give you the history on all of the lesser-known tea parties in the South, specifically Charleston, which occurred two weeks before the very famous Boston Tea Party. We will also have an extra southern twist – sample some refreshing sweet tea in different flavors.
Course Pre-requisites
(required) OLLI Annual Membership

Brits in the BDC with Grace Cordial
2026-06-22 17:30 - 18:30 | Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Join Grace Cordial to learn a little Colonial history while exploring the British-related resources available in the Beaufort District Collection!
Doors open at 5:00 PM.

Disclaimer(s)

Say Cheese! We love to take photos at our events and within library spaces. The library may use these photos in print, online, or on social media. If you do not consent, please inform a staff member at the event.

Revolutionary Roots - BFT
2026-06-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Explore your family history with Ancestry.com’s American Revolution edition in this hands-on program at the library. Learn how to trace your lineage, uncover stories about ancestors who lived during the Revolutionary era, and see how your own family may connect to America’s fight for independence. No prior genealogy experience required—just curiosity and a love of history!

Registration is required for this event.
Registration will close on June 16, 2026 @ 11:26am.

THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AT 250 - ORIGINS, IDEAS, AND LEGACY
2026-06-15 13:30 - 15:30 | SC
The Declaration of Independence is the most widely read, recited, and celebrated of America’s founding documents. It has inspired movements across time and around the globe, from the French Revolutionaries of 1789 to Ho Chi Minh in the twentieth century. Both Jefferson Davis and Abraham Lincoln claimed to be defending its principles. In this course, we will closely analyze the structure, language, and rhetorical power of this remarkable document while engaging several fundamental questions: What did Thomas Jefferson mean by terms such as equality, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? In what ways does the Declaration reflect the ideas of classical and Enlightenment thinkers who shaped the founding generation? How persuasive was the evidence offered to support the claim that King George III was a tyrant?
Zoom Course
Course Pre-requisites
(required) OLLI Annual Membership

Revolutionary Roots - Lobeco
2026-06-09 15:00 - 17:00 | Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway , (Hwy 17), Lobeco, SC, 29931, United States
Explore your family history with Ancestry.com’s American Revolution edition in this hands-on program at the library. Learn how to trace your lineage, uncover stories about ancestors who lived during the Revolutionary era, and see how your own family may connect to America’s fight for independence. No prior genealogy experience required- just curiosity and a love of history!

Registration is required for this event.
Registration will close on June 9, 2026 @ 3:00 pm.

American Revolution Documentary by Ken Burns - Lobeco
2026-06-09 15:00 - 16:00 | Lobeco Branch Library, 1862 Trask Parkway , (Hwy 17), Lobeco, SC, 29931, United States
The Ken Burns “American Revolution” documentary will be playing in the program room. This is a 45-minute film.

Disclaimer(s)

Say Cheese! We love to take photos at our events and within library spaces. The library may use these photos in print, online, or on social media. If you do not consent, please inform a staff member at the event.

Play Like It's 1776 - St. Helena
2026-06-09 10:30 - 11:30 | St. Helena Branch Library, 6355 Jonathan Francis Sr Rd, St. Helena, SC, 29920, United States

Zion Cemetery & Baynard Mausoleum Costumed Cemetery
2026-06-09 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-06-02 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-26 10:00 - 11:00, 2026-05-19 10:00 - 11:00 | Zion Chapel of Ease, 574 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29928, United States
Zion Cemetery & Baynard Mausoleum Costumed Cemetery Tour

The Island’s history comes to life every Tuesday at 10:00 am at Zion Cemetery & Baynard Mausoleum with this trip back in time, featuring costumed tour guides sharing fascinating stories of Hilton Head Island’s past. Visit the gravesites of four Revolutionary War heroes and find out about the bloody skirmish that was fought just steps away. Explore the island’s oldest structure and learn about the planters who built it. You’ll learn their stories of the Colonial era on Hilton Head Island and more as you tour one of the island’s most intriguing sites.
Registration required! $10
https://heritagelib.org/classes-events/

REVOLUTIONARY WAR BUS TOUR - PREVOST'S MARCH
2026-06-09 09:00 - 16:30 | USCB Bluffton, 1 University Blvd, Bluffton, SC, 29909, United States
In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, join historians for a day-long, moderated tour of significant Revolutionary War landmarks in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. The tour focuses on Prevost’s March, a British military campaign in South Carolina led by Major General Augustine Prévost in 1779. Sites visited will include Purrysburg, the Thomas Heyward Tomb, Fort Balfour, Old Sheldon Church, Port Royal Island, St. Helena Churchyard, and other locations. Fee includes transportation aboard a luxury coach bus with restroom and WiFi, and a docent-led tour by historians Dr. Steve Wise and Rich Thomas. Lunch is not included; participants are encouraged to bring their own or preorder a meal from Lobeco Lowcountry Produce.
$45 Book Your Spot Today!

SOUTH CAROLINA and the ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE Concert
2026-06-06 14:30 - 18:00 | USCB Beaufort, 805 Carteret St, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
The decision to declare independence was bold and risky, and the outcome far from certain. In 1776, no one in the colonies was more motivated or more determined to rise to the challenges that lay ahead than the patriots of South Carolina. On June 6, 2026, no one will commemorate their success with greater joy and enthusiasm than the citizens of the South Carolina lowcountry who gather at the USCB Center for Arts in historic Beaufort for a day of history, music, and birthday cake. The program will comprise three parts: a combined lecture by eminent historians Drs. Lawrence Rowland and John McCardell-tracing the sources and discussing the causes of the American Revolution and South Carolina’s role in its success, a short break for discussion and the essential birthday cake with lemonade, and then an all American concert for four hands by brilliant pianists Jeewon Park and Andrew Armstrong-presenting works by American composers ranging from Sousa to Joplin to Gershwin to Barber; from “Yankee Doodle” to “Stars and Stripes” to ragtime, to “Rhapsody in Blue,” and beyond.
Our founders fought for and then created a republic whose motto, still on the dollar bill, was Novus Ordo Saeclorum (a new order of the ages). Those Founding Fathers clearly delineated that new order in official documents, but nowhere would it be better expressed than in the newly formed country’s music. For the last two hundred and fifty years, we have exercised our hard-won freedoms and enjoyed the distinctly American musical compositions that have declared them loudly, rhythmically, and uniquely both to ourselves and to the world at large. It is now time to engage our minds and tap our feet in celebrating our history, our freedom, and our music.
All-inclusive tickets are $30: https://www.uscbchambermusic.com/250
Doors open at 2:30 PMLectures 3 – 3:55 PM
Cake and Lemonade 4 – 4:25 PM Piano concert 4:30 – 6 PM

Ken Burns Documentary Screening - HHI
2026-06-04 10:30 - 11:30 | Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926, United States
Learn more about the Revolutionary War from Ken Burns in his new documentary series! Join us for a screening of several selections on the military history of the war, spanning battlefields from Quebec to Charleston and the birth of the U.S. Navy.

Disclaimer(s)

Say Cheese! We love to take photos at our events and within library spaces. The library may use these photos in print, online, or on social media. If you do not consent, please inform a staff member at the event.

Play Like It's 1776 - Bluffton
2026-05-30 13:00 - 14:30 | Bluffton Branch Library, 120 Palmetto Way, Bluffton, SC, 29910, United States
Youth and families are invited to travel back in time to engage with American Revolutionary times through crafts and games!
Try your hand at games and activities that were popular during the time of the Revolutionary War to get into the spirit of America’s 250th birthday! Drop-in, no registration required.

Revolutionary Roots - HHI
2026-05-28 10:30 - 11:30 | Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 Beach City Rd, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29926, United States
Explore your family history with Ancestry.com’s American Revolution edition in this hands-on program at the library. Learn how to trace your lineage, uncover stories about ancestors who lived during the Revolutionary era, and see how your own family may connect to America’s fight for independence. No prior genealogy experience required—just curiosity and a love of history!

BEAUFORT COUNTY IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR - BOAT TOUR
2026-05-16 13:30 - 16:30 | South Beach Marina, S Sea Pines Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, 29928
This 3-hour boat tour departs from the South Beach dock on Hilton Head Island and travels along the Calibogue Sound shoreline, down the western side of the Daufuskie Island to Bloody Point. It then returns along the Bull Island shoreline, passing Buch Island before concluding at Braddock Cove. Historians of the American Revolutionary period will narrate information and stories about the Revolutionary War on various land sites that the boat passes by.
$70
NOTE: The boat tour is provided by Salty Dog Tours of HHI, a double-decker catamaran, with 2 restrooms, a full cash bar, and snacks for purchase. The tour is weather-dependent and timed to coincide with favorable tides.

There is a $25 cancellation fee anytime after registration payment. Only registered and paid participants will be allowed on the tour. This boat tour DEPARTS from the South Beach dock within Sea Pines. ARRIVE NO LATER THAN 12:20 P.M. Address: South Beach Marina, S Sea Pines Dr., HHI SC 29928. There is a $9 cash charge per vehicle for entry into Sea Pines. Weather can change quickly on the water. Make sure to bring sunscreen, a light jacket, and comfortable footwear. There is a roof for shade, 2 bathrooms and a cash bar for beverages and snacks. No coolers allowed. ALLOW TIME FOR TRAFFIC AND PARKING.

A Party Divided; Political Divisions in the Beaufort Republican Party During Reconstruction
2026-05-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
During the beginning of the Reconstruction period in Beaufort, South Carolina, a division in the Republican party grew. This political division pitted William C. Morrison and Robert Smalls, heroes of the Planter, against each other. This division in the Republican party was heated and even violent at times and involved some big names in Beaufort history. Reconstruction Era Park Ranger Eric Ellis discusses how this division began and how it played out and impacted the Republican Party of Beaufort’s Reconstruction period.
Originally from Jacksonville, Eric Ellis joined the US Navy after high school serving in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. After the Navy, Eric attended school at New Mexico State University, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in History and his Master of Arts in Public History and 19th c. US History. After graduation Eric took a position with New Mexico Historic Sites as an Interpretive Ranger. In 2023, Eric accepted a position as a historian for the National Park Service at the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park. In his time with the Park Service, Eric focused his research on Black Landownership during the Reconstruction period and completed research on a variety of topics on the Reconstruction period for the park and park partners.
This presentation is part of the ongoing collaboration, Historically Speaking, between the Beaufort County Historical Society, and the BCPL’s Beaufort District Collection.

Thursday, May 14, 2026 @11am
Beaufort Branch Library 9311 Scott StreetBeaufort, SC, 29902 0
