Education Hour in Berkeley Today
As the Society concludes its month honoring Huguenot descendant Francis Marion, it provided an educational hour to students at the Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center.
Ready for the Swamp!
After completing the program in the museum, the students enjoyed discovering the wooded edge of the swamp in the Old Santee Canal Park and imagining themselves as the Swamp Fox. Here they are pictured with our Executive Director, Elizabeth F. Gay.
The Society was pleased to continue its Education Hour program today at the Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center inside the Old Santee Canal Park. The program was on Brig. Gen. Francis Marion and provided a lesson plan on his Huguenot heritage, military and civic service, family life and legacy. February marks the 229th anniversary of the death of Marion and numerous events have been offered in remembrance across the state.
Upon arrival, the students were greeted by the Museum Board Chair, Shanda Phillips, and Museum Director, Chelsy Clark Proper along with Elizabeth F. Gay, the Society’s Executive Director and Abbey Markiewicz, the Society’s Registrar. Ms. Phillips welcomed the students and hoped the experience would encourage them to learn more history and return to the museum often. The museum provided a very enjoyable scavenger hunt game to follow the instructional hour and the students searched the museum high and low to discover all the artifacts represented on the game card.
Following the museum component, the students gathered on the porch for a recap of the program and a question and answer session to win a small replica of a fox. The question to win was: Who else was born the same year as Francis Marion who was also a great patriot for our nation? Answer: George Washington, born February 22, 1732. It was thrilling for a young student to know the answer right away and win the prize.
The Society’s Vice President, Jack Williams, joined the group inside the museum to observe the program and meet the parents. He was very pleased with the experience and with the Society’s ability to bring the rich history of the Huguenots to life for young students. The parents who accompanied the students were very complimentary of the program and look forward to returning to the Society for future topics.
The Society extends its deep appreciation to the museum, park and all the staff for their hospitality and support of this educational program. We encourage everyone to visit this treasure in Berkeley and support its great work.