Carolina Day 2023
On Saturday, June 24, 2023 Battery Gadsden Cultural Center and the Town of Sullivan's Island staged our 4th annual Carolina Day celebration on the plaza in front of Town Hall. This local recognition of the Battle of Sullivan's Island is becoming a tradition and continues to grow each year. This year almost a hundred onlookers witnessed the traditional proclamation of the day by Mayor O'Neil, presentation of the Moultrie flag by members of Boy Scout Troop 59, and a musket salute by members of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment. A musical element was introduced by an excellent young bagpiper, Grange Simons. A talk by Connie Mahan of the Ft. Sullivan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was followed by the incredible story of Rev. Robert Smith, the Rector of St. Philips Church who left his pulpit and came to Sullivan's Island to fight under Col. Moultrie. The morning was topped off by coffee and doughnuts for all. Battery Gadsden wants to thank all the participants and the town staff of Sullivan's Island who helped make this year's commemoration the best yet. Let's keep this important tradition going!
(photos by Rob Byko)
Carolina Day 2022
On Saturday, June 25, 2022 almost 100 residents and visitors witnessed our 2022 Carolina Day celebration at the Sullivan's Island Town Hall. The ceremony, co-sponsored by BGCC and the Town of Sullivan's Island, featured an invocation by Rev. Danny Massie, a proclamation of the day by Mayor Patrick O'Neil, raising of the Moultrie Flag, a musket salute fired by members of the 2nd South Carolina Regiment, Col. Moultrie's unit, and a presentation by Maggie Adams, Regent of the Ft. Sullivan Chapter of the DAR.
Participating in the flag ceremony were the scouts of BSA Troop 59 from Stella Maris Church. A very special part of this year's event was the presentation of BGCC's Cultural Stewardship Award to Wayne Steljes for his years of faithful, volunteer service caring for Thomson Park at Breach Inlet. Coffee and doughnuts topped off the fun morning for all who attended! We're looking forward to next year already! Mark Saturday, June 24, 2023 on your calendars.
Carolina Day 2021
Carolina Day 2021 was a rousing success on Sullivan's Island. On Saturday, June 26, about 75 onlookers enjoyed the ceremony commemorating the 245th anniversary of the Battle of Sullivan's Island when Col. William Moultrie and his band of American patriots turned away the mighty British military in their first attempt to capture Charles Town.
The battle, which took place on June 28, 1776, was one of the first great American victories of the Revolutionary War. That date, six days prior to the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, has been celebrated ever since.
This year's event included an invocation and benediction by Rev. Danny Massie, a proclamation by Mayor Patrick O'Neil, and ceremonial presentation and raising of the Moultrie flag by members of the town council and Battery Gadsden board members. Mary Ann Marwick of the Ft. Sullivan Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution described the group's mission of historic preservation, and Mike Walsh, president of Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, told the amazing story of the palmetto log fort and the part it played in the American victory. Even more color and historic atmosphere was added this year by members of the 2nd South Carolina Regimental reenactors in their authentic uniforms.
This event, co-sponsored by Battery Gadsden Cultural Center and the Town of Sullivan's Island, plans to grow every year to include more recognition of the battle that took place here on this very island.
Click here to watch video coverage by local CBS affiliate, Channel 5
If you or someone you know has “a story to tell” about their or their family's connection to Sullivan's Island, please put them in touch with Battery Gadsden Cultural Center at: batterygadsden@gmail.com