Researching a Revolution: Interview with Virginia Ellison and Molly Silliman

Fireworks in Congress: William Henry Drayton & Henry Laurens

If you’re describing a typical Fourth of July celebration to someone, you’re probably going to talk about spending the day outside or on the water, food on the grill, drinks in a cooler, and big noises booming throughout the night with bright lights and spectacles of explosives. And, almost from the very beginning, fireworks and celebration were the way that some American leaders wanted to mark the day. It was a topic of debate in the Continental Congress in 1779, and one of those in favor was South Carolina delegate William Henry Drayton. But if fellow South Carolina delegate Henry Laurens had had his way, it would have been a much more somber occasion. The fireworks weren’t the only topic the two argued about, and we talk all about it on this episode

Researching a Revolution: Interview with Virginia Ellison and Molly Silliman

Our guests for this episode are very special, because they work here in the archives! Virginia Ellison is the COO and Director of Collections here at the SC Historical Society, overseeing all archival and museum operations. Molly Silliman is our Senior Archivist, managing archival services and reading room operations, as well as working with researchers. They sat down with our host, Sydney Derrick, to discuss their favorite items related to the American Revolution and talk about how potential researchers can use the archives.

Continental Collab: Interview with C. James Taylor

This month's episode is a collaboration with the oldest in America – the Massachusetts Historical Society - exploring the relationship between John Adams, one of their most famous sons, and Henry Laurens, one of ours. Both were instrumental in the founding of the nation, but how well did they know each other? We’re going to discuss that with C. James Taylor, historian and the former editor-in-chief of the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society. Check out their podcast in partnership with us here: https://www.masshist.org/podcast/season-5-episode-6-South-Carolina [https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.masshist.org%2Fpodcast%2Fseason-5-episode-6-South-Carolina&data=05%7C02%7Csydney.derrick%40schsonline.org%7C5ce2d2fa69f34e16117308decade0666%7C5d02ccc6ccb84c55959de1097a76ad9a%7C0%7C0%7C639171252106241703%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=wvASRmJsQJIEsKc5MNAmi6WHTXkf5xG%2BX8tqecWtpzk%3D&reserved=0].

Interview with Annette Guild on Digitizing the Heyward Papers

This episode continues our Dubose and Dorothy Heyward month, discussing these two Charleston Renaissance writers. We’re talking with Annette Guild, the Metadata Specialist at the SC Historical Society, who recently finished a project to digitize some of the papers of the Heywards. Those are now available on the Lowcountry Digital Library, as well as Digital Library of South Carolina, and the Digital Public Library of America.

Interview with Harlan Greene on Dorothy Heyward's Contribution to Porgy & Bess

We are heading back to the roaring 20s to talk about Dubose and Dorothy Heyward, the Charleston writers. Dubose was best known for his novel "Porgy," which became a play and then opera, "Porgy & Bess" developed with Ira and George Gershwin. In this episode, we’re talking with author and historian Harlan Greene, who recently wrote the book “Porgy’s Ghost: The Life and Works of Dorothy Heyward and Her Contribution to an American Classic”.