Caroliniana Columns
Newsletter of the University South Caroliniana Society
Spring 1999

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From the President's Pen: Beyond Paper, Print and Paint

by Harvey S. Teal

During the past 62 years the University South Caroliniana Society has preserved South Carolina manuscripts, books, pamphlets, photographs, sheet music, and works of art on paper by collecting these historical materials at the South Caroliniana Library. As Society members, we are motivated to undertake this labor of love by a deep appreciation for our state's historical heritage. The record of our success speaks for itself, but have we done enough? Do we have responsibilities beyond just collecting and preserving these historical materials? The answer is a resounding yes! Preserving the history and heritage of South Carolina does not stop at collecting materials. We have a responsibility to monitor developments that may impact the preservation and promotion of our history and heritage. Let me address
two such developments - public school social studies curriculum guides and the increased mobility of our population - to illustrate how we as guardians and advocates of South Carolina's history can instill in the next generation of South Carolinians a love and commitment to our state's heritage.	Our responsibility does not stop at collecting. We ... can instill in the next generation ... a love and committment to our state's heritage.
Recently developed social studies curriculum framework In October 1998 the South Carolina Department of Education published a working draft for South Carolina Social Studies Framework and Standards: History, Geography, Government, Economics for grades K-12. As historians, educators and citizens it is incumbent upon us all to review these standards to ensure that adequate attention is given to the teaching of local history and geography. You may wish to write for an examination copy at: S.C. Dept. of Education, 1429 Senate St., Room 602, Columbia, SC 29201. If after reviewing the proposed curriculum standards, you feel the Department of Education should "beef up" the sections dealing with teaching S.C. history and geography, tell them so.

"Swamp Angel, Jr." (from stereograph.) The first Swamp Angel, a larger gun located on Morris Island, began to lob shells into the city of Charleston as far north as Calhoun Street beginning 22 Aug. 1863. South Caroliniana preserves a wealth of resources for the teaching of state history.

As an historical repository we must never lose sight of the fact that teaching our youth about our state's history is a primary step in preserving and passing on our values, traditions, and heritage. While most of the scholarly work utilizing the collections of the Caroliniana are undertaken by graduate students, genealogists, professional historians, and college and university faculty, efforts to reach out to the middle and high school community have resulted in some high caliber research projects by these students. Last year, James Jordan, a senior at Richland Northeast, utilized the collections at the Modern Political Collections division of the library to write his Horizon Senior Project paper on the "Emergence and Growth of the Republican Party in South Carolina." This year, Ann Wilson, another Richland Northeast Horizon student, is writing a paper and creating a dramatic presentation about the life of Sarah Pressley Watson, the director of a hostel in Paris between the two World Wars.
State and local historical societies recognize their educational responsibility to the community.	Like the South Caroliniana Library, many of our state and local historical societies recognize their educational responsibility to the community. Each year the S.C. Archives and History Center sponsors "History Day" with a program built around a South Carolina history topic.
The Kershaw County Historical Society recently co-sponsored a graduate credit course for teaching S.C. History. They also give each public school in the county copies of their publications and host student presentations to the Society. As further examples, Debbie Roland at the Calhoun County Museum, Horace Harmon at the Lexington County Museum and Agnes Corbett at the Camden Archives and Museum all have exhibits and programs designed for K-12 school children.
Population Trends
For several decades in the antebellum period the siren call of "Go west, young man, go west" beckoned and South Carolinians by the thousands answered by migrating to the lower South and farther west. For a time, more native-born South Carolinians lived outside of S.C. than in the state. A mobile U.S. population is even more the rule today due to economic factors, communication advancements, and other developments. As jobs and professions	Disharmony we were famous for: Charleston Mercury 20 Dec. 1860 Extra edition, broadside. In December, South Carolina will mark 139 years without a secession.
rapidly change, accompanying relocations become necessary, bringing new residents to our state and taking native sons to other states.

We need to pass on our state's heritage and traditions to those newcomers and recruit them to join with us to preserve our treasured past. The best way to do that is to reach out to the community through the types of educational programs outlined above and instill in our fellow South Carolinians a sense of pride in and commitment to the history and traditions of our state.

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