Sean Money
The Charleston Museum will welcome the public to its annual Community Day at The Dill Sanctuary, 1163 Riverland Drive on James Island, on Saturday, Oct. 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Attendees will have the opportunity to take guided tours, hear special presentations on the history and ecology of the property, and participate in children’s activities, all while enjoying the natural environment of the 580-acre Lowcountry site.
“Community Day at the Dill Sanctuary is one of our favorite annual events,” said Carl Borick, director of The Charleston Museum. “Each year, more families, community members, history enthusiasts and nature lovers come together to experience the beauty and significance of this remarkable property. It is a pleasure to open the sanctuary to the public, as it fosters a deeper connection to the Lowcountry’s past and its natural environment.”
Activities for the whole family will include crafts with museum educators, popsicles for purchase from King of Pops, turtle encounters with the Turtle Survival Alliance along the Tynes Trail, and talks with the Audubon South Carolina team about wading bird populations at the wildlife pond.
Borick will give an overview of the property’s history at 10 a.m. Guided tours of Battery Pringle, led by Chief Curator Jennifer McCormick, will take place at 10:45 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. Tours of the Dills’ slave cemetery, led by Curator of Archaeology John Fisher and Community Liaison Michele Johnson, will be offered at 11:15 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
The event is free to attend with a suggested donation of $10 per person. Registration is requested.
The Dill Sanctuary is an off-road location, and walking shoes or boots, sun protection and water are strongly recommended. The site is not open for daily visitation. Pets are not permitted.