New South Associates, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) and Charleston County, will be holding a three-day history collection event at James and Johns Islands on Thursday, May 19th through Saturday, May 21st, 2022. New South historians will be on hand during the events to speak with current or former residents of James and Johns Islands and to gather information about these historic African American settlement communities. The purpose of the project is to provide SCDOT and Charleston County with a study focusing on the history of James and Johns Islands.
New South Associates, based in Stone Mountain, Georgia, is a nationally recognized cultural resource management firm with a staff of over 100 professionals experienced in history and archaeology. New South historians from both Georgia and South Carolina offices will be working on the study, recording oral history interviews to learn about the historic communities and neighborhoods on the islands and their boundaries.
Attendees are invited to bring historic photos that can be scanned and digitized on site, with owner permission. All information regarding the history of these communities is welcome, including locations of gathering places, schools, important pharmacies, churches, and recreational places (such as baseball fields), either standing or long gone. Various maps will be available for attendees to view and mark with pertinent information.
There are time slots for oral history interviews during the May 19th through May 21st history collection days. Opportunities for interviews on future dates can also be arranged by contacting New South historian Reneé Donnell. Each oral history interview should take about an hour. To secure your preferred time slot, contact New South historian Reneé Donnell at rdonnell@newsouthassoc.com, or (770) 498-4155, ext. 150. Time slots will be filled on a first come first serve basis. Refreshments will be served.
Event Dates:
