time period

Pre-Colonial

The African presence in Charleston and the South Carolina Lowcountry is well documented, but much less is known of the locations from which this group came. At last, we are beginning to understand Africa as an entire continent, not a single country, which opens our eyes to the multiple ethnic and geographic groups that first populated the region beginning in the 16th century through the 19th century, when official importation of enslaved workers ended.

1525/1526: A Spanish explorer lands on the coast of what will become South Carolina, bringing enslaved Africans with him. Attempts to settle a colony fail, but early interaction between Africans seeking freedom and indigenous Native Americans has been traced to this period.

Articles

Courtesy of The Charleston Museum, Charleston, South Carolina

African & Gullah Roots

Hidden in Plain Sight

The National Park Service was at the forefront of support for the creation of a National Heritage Area. Through U.S. Rep. James Clyburn’s leadership and tireless efforts, the creation of [...]

Contributor: Michael Allen

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Middleton Place - Courtesy of Explore Charleston

African & Gullah Roots

What’s In a Name? Everything.

Shakespeare’s Juliet believed that Romeo’s name was less important than his beliefs and values. While perhaps most of us would agree, names do provide valuable identity and, historically, names are [...]

Contributor: Tracey Todd

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Barbados from Thomson's New General Atlas - 1817

Cultural Impact

The Barbados Connection

A plantation society evolved under the control and oversight of a ruling class. The system was called the "Barbados Model” by a contemporary historian. The model was used by other [...]

Contributor: Rhoda Green

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