Join Us For These Upcoming Events!
Thursday · January 16 · 6pm
The History of Navigational Lights to Charleston
at Sunrise Presbyterian Church
Join us for an intriguing presentation on the history of the various navigational lights that have existed over the centuries in our area. While you might be thinking of our own iconic Sullivan's Island lighthouse, there is far more to the story than that. On January 16, National Park Ranger Shelby McAllister will present a program that will expand your knowledge of the topic. Ranger Shelby is a native of Iowa. After finding that classroom teaching wasn't for her, she joined the National Park Service and served at Harpers Ferry, Shiloh, and Lincoln's Home in Springfield, Illinois, before coming to Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park. Shelby will tell us about the many lighthouses, range lights and other beacons that have guided mariners to Charleston over the centuries, including our own unique lighthouse. This presentation will be at Sunrise Presbyterian Church on Sullivan's Island, 3222 Middle Street, at 6pm. As always, BGCC's speaker programs are free and open to the public.
Saturday · February 22
Artist Jeff Clark
at Battery Gadsden Cultural Center
Our mission statement says that we exist to preserve the culture of both art and history in our community. In February we feature the arts aspect of that statement. 
We are pleased to announce that on Saturday, February 22, Battery Gadsden will open its doors to a one-man exhibit featuring the works of Sullivan's Islander, artist JD Clark. JD made a successful transition from business exec to artist in 2013. But art was nothing new for him. Since the fourth grade he had been what he calls a “museum rat.” He studied art under teachers and mentors who taught him to seek out the best way to express visions. His art is displayed in homes around the world. Other accomplishments include his award-winning piece entitled, “Hypocrisy” as well as the creation of world injustice paintings like “Phantom of the Bat Caves” and “Central Park.” His oil painting, “Yonge's Island Post Office,” hangs in Charleston's most historic building, The Old Exchange. Having just completed a successful exhibit at Park Circle Gallery in North Charleston, we are pleased that JD will share his work at Battery Gadsden. Refreshments will be served for this one-night show and admission is free. Click here to see a collection of JD's work (on Instagram).
March 12-15
HALO's Sweeney Todd
at Battery Gadsden Cultural Center
Attend the tale! Experience a story of vengeance and obsession in Stephen Sondheim’s masterful musical Sweeney Todd, a man unjustly imprisoned who returns to society with a thirst for revenge. Sondheim’s intricate and haunting score masterfully blends dark humor, powerful drama, and memorable melodies. Click here for tickets.
Thursday · April 17
Unsung: William Moultrie and the Battle of Sullivan's Island
at Sunrise Presbyterian Church
Have you ever wondered why the story of William Moultrie and the Battle of Sullivan's Island is so little-known outside of our area, despite being one of the pivotal events of the early American Revolution? Well, so did Sullivan's Islander, native Minnesotan, and Park Service volunteer, Norm Rickeman. So he decided to do something about that by writing a new book entitled “Unsung: William Moultrie and the Battle of Sullivan's Island.” Norm will be with us on April 17, at Sunrise Church, to tell us all about the battle and many of the personalities who took part, including Col. Moultrie, Francis Marion, Sir Peter Parker and Gen. Henry Clinton. He will also be signing and selling his new book, all proceeds from which go to the Friends of Charleston National Parks. Don't miss this one!
In May…
Second Annual Roy Williams Memorial Lecture
May is Historic Preservation Month. We will celebrate that event by presenting our Second Annual Roy Williams Memorial Lecture. We started this lecture series last year as a way to pay tribute to our dearly missed Island historian, Roy Williams. The lecture also aims to further Roy's passionate desire to preserve our island history, especially our historic homes. Details will be shared soon! Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of events.
How Will Sullivan’s Island Celebrate Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary? We Need YOU!
April 19, 2025 will mark the 250th anniversary of the “shot heard ‘round the world,” and the opening armed conflict of the American Revolution, our war for independence that ultimately lasted for eight years.
In 2016 the U.S. Congress established the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and the America250 Foundation to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The enabling legislation went further and designated four communities as “Signature Cities,” Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Charleston! That’s no surprise. By the time of the Revolution, South Carolina was the most prosperous of the original 13 colonies. The per capita wealth in Charlestown was five times that of Boston. Ultimately, there were more battles and skirmishes fought in South Carolina than in any other state. The Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776, alone stymied the British designs on the southern colonies for another four years. And it was fought six days before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Following the formation of America250 each state was tasked with forming its own commission. All 50 states now have such organizations including our own SC250, officially the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission, chartered by the General Assembly in 2018 to insure, “a proper observance of the Sestercentennial of the American Revolution in South Carolina.” In turn, each South Carolina county was encouraged to form their own steering committee, resulting in SC250 Charleston.
Our town council tapped Battery Gadsden Cultural Center to be the liaison between the town and SC250 Charleston. BGCC president, Mike Walsh, has been to two meetings of that group and attended two webinars, and the situation is clear. It’s time for Sullivan’s Island to get to work! What will the eight years of commemorating not just the Revolution, but really the entirety of what this great nation has become over the past two and a half centuries look like in our community? And we’re not just talking about Carolina Day and July 4, 2026. We’re not just talking about people dressing up in three-cornered hats and powdered wigs. This is not just fireworks and hot dogs. We are celebrating Americana… American culture in the broadest sense, keeping in mind those communities that are often underrepresented or marginalized. And for this project to have the eight year longevity it deserves, we must involve our youth.
Recently a dozen folks with creative minds gathered at town hall to begin this discussion. The brainstorming session was very productive and included representatives from town government, the arts community, educators, community service organizations, and islanders at large. But we need more. We need your input. I’ll try to keep you informed as this project progresses, but in the meantime if anyone has thoughts about how the 250th anniversary of this great nation of ours should be celebrated locally, please send them to batterygadsden@gmail.com. And please visit SC250Charleston.org to learn more and see all the many enthusiastic groups already hard at work on this important commemoration.
Your Opinion
Your opinion matters when it comes to our programming. What would you like to see in the way of programs and activities? Our Board of Directors would love to hear from you about any topic, but especially new ideas for programming. This becomes especially important as we see the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding rapidly approaching. BGCC is serving as the liaison between the town and SC250 Charleston, the local planning committee for all events we hope to have happen between 2025 and 2033, covering eight years of celebration, the same length of time as the American Revolution. If you're not familiar with the work of this group or its parent organizations, America250 and SC250, be sure to check our their websites. The goals of this group are very similar to BGCC's: preserving our shared history, providing inclusive events and programs, and bettering the fabric of our communities. Please be in touch with us regarding your ideas.
Our Purpose
Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, a non-profit established in 1992, seeks to share the rich history of Sullivan's Island through lectures and performances. We hope to create a museum of the civilian life of Sullivan's Island. We host community events and wish to serve as a showcase for artists, lecturers, musicians, and performers.
Our local publication, "Sullivan's Island Magazine," wrote about us in its Winter-Spring 2018-2019 issue. Click here to read an article about the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center.
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Throughout the year we organize and sponsor a variety of events... Carolina Day, Oral History Project, Theatrical Performances, Speakers, Preservation, Art Exhibits, Book Signings, and more!
Please consider becoming a member. Our programs need your support and you will enjoy the community!
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Your membership provides support for the many meaningful programs of BGCC to promote civilian history, arts, and culture on Sullivan’s Island.
