Hilton Head Island figures prominently in the history of Beaufort District, particularly from the 17th through 20th centuries. Shell mounds to Civil War forts to planned gated retirement communities, plantations to hunting camps to timber to golfing to tennis tournaments to second and retirement homes, Hilton Head Island has emerged as one of the world's primary resorts. Latest update: 2 April 2022
Jean Ribaut & Charlesfort
Jean Ribaut built the First Protestant settlement in the New World in Beaufort District. Learn more about the European competition for property and wealth in 1562. Latest update: 6 May 2022; Created: 12 November 2008.
Paul Siegmund Collection, 1979, Finding Aid
This small archival collection documents the World Premiere of Pat Conroy's the Great Santini movie held at the Beaufort Plaza Twin Theatres on 19 October 1979. Created: 18 January 2022
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Thomas Heyward Jr. Chapter, Scrapbook Collection, 1976 – 2019
The Thomas Heyward Jr. Chapter of the DAR was founded in Beaufort, SC on April 5, 1976. The organization's objectives are "historic preservation, promotion of education, and patriotic endeavor." This collection includes newspaper clippings, memorabilia and photographs relating to the group's activities and programs from 1967 through 2019. Posted: 4 January 2022
Beaufort Art Association Collection, 1958 – 2014, Finding Aid
The Beaufort Art Association (BAA) was chartered in 1957. It is a non-profit membership based organization whose mission is to encourage, support and provide opportunities for the growth of all members, as well as to contribute to the community with aesthetic and educational experiences in the visual arts. Posted: 27 August 2021
Men and Women in World War II Scrapbooks, 1995, Finding Aid
These scrapbooks contain photocopies of the Beaufort News, a mimeographed newsletter sent to the area's service men and women in 1944, newspaper clippings, photographs, letters, and ephemera about the men and women from Beaufort County who served in the military forces during World War II.
Pat Conroy, 1945-2016 : A List of Links & Materials
Almost from the moment Pat Conroy arrived in Beaufort as a teenaged military dependent, he embraced the community as his own. During the course of his writing career, he became internationally recognized as one of the best and best-selling authors of Southern literature. Created: 14 July 2021
Reeves Collection of Stuart Family Papers, 1823-1912, bulk 1840-1888, Finding Aid
This archival collection consists primarily of photocopies of family correspondence between Claudia Smith Stuart (1802-1876) about family matters, social affairs in Beaufort and Charleston, S.C., schooling at Harvard, West Point, and seminaries in Spartanburg, S.C. and Alexandria, VA, secession, and the Civil War. Reconstruction Era documents mostly refer to family poverty and difficulties post-war. Related families include Heyward, Rhett, Taber and Walker. Three original items were discovered during processing. Created 30 June 2021
James Louis Petigru, 1789 – 1863 : A List of Links & Materials
James Louis Petigru, South Carolina's staunchest and most well-known Unionist, began his career as a teacher and as a lawyer in Beaufort District. For 50 years, he was South Carolina's most prominent attorney. Latest update: 22 June 2021
Reflections on 9-11 and Our Freedoms, 2004, Finding Aid
Local residents recorded their memories of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and Flight 93.
Beaufort County Historical Society Records, 1939 – 2017, Finding Aid
The Beaufort County Historical Society is the oldest historical organization in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Its mission is to promote accurate historical knowledge and appreciation with special emphasis on the Beaufort County area.