Arts Ob We People: Winter Exhibit and Sale
Now through March 4 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Daily
Art League of Hilton Head Gallery
14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island
This free exhibit displays original work by emerging and leading artists who represent the life of Gullah people on Hilton Head Island and the surrounding community. Artists will be onsite at various times throughout the exhibit. Check for exact schedules at gullahcelebration.com. Private tours are available by appointment only.
Tag Archives: black history
Experience the 27th Annual Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration
Posted in Art, Events, Hilton Head Essentials
Tagged art, black history, Gullah, Hilton Head, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island Honors and Embraces
Black History Month with Cultural Celebrations
February is Black History Month, a month honoring the shared stories and contributions of African Americans who have shaped our nation and also Hilton Head Island.
During this month-long celebration, the Town of Hilton Head Island encourages you to take advantage of the many incredible events being hosted to highlight the Island’s Gullah Geechee culture and other significant contributions of local African Americans. Experience live musical performances, special gatherings, art gallery shows, festivals and more. These wonderful celebrations are fun and educational opportunities for the whole family to enjoy.
Freedom Day Celebration Hosted by Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Saturday, February 4 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
40 Harriet Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island
This free program explores black resistance in the fight for freedom and honors the life and legacy of Robert Smalls, who was born into slavery in Beaufort, South Carolina. Smalls later won freedom for himself and his family, and became a prominent leader in the community during the Reconstruction era, including service in both the state and national legislature. Special guests include Michael Boulware Moore, the great-great grandson of Robert Smalls; Gullah artist Quentin Smalls and the Claflin University Concert Choir. Visit exploremitchelville.org for more info.
Family and Friends Day
Tuesday, February 7 at 7 p.m.
Historic First African Baptist Church
70 Beach City Road, Hilton Head Island
Cost: Free
Join the Historic First African Baptist Church for its annual family and friends program, featuring traditional and contemporary Gullah songs and samples of authentic Gullah food! Visit gullahcelebration.com for details.
Gullah Celebration’s Patrons and Friends Party
Wednesday, February 8 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Art League Gallery
14 Shelter Cove Lane Hilton Head Island
Cost: Free
Spend the evening with the 2023 featured artist Lisa Rivers and many other exhibiting artists at the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration’s Patrons and Friends Party. Complimentary food and beverages. Visit gullahcelebration.com for more details.
A Taste of Gullah
Saturday, February 11 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Art League Gallery
14 Shelter Cove Lane Hilton Head Island
An afternoon filled with gumbo, conch stew, fried fish and shrimp dusted in traditional Gullah seasonings and more favorites, storytelling, music, and other activities. Free admission but food is available for purchase. Visit gullahcelebration.com for more details.
Gullah Market and Block Party: An Arts, Crafts and Food Expo
Saturday, February 18 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Historic Honey Horn
70 Honey Horn Drive, Hilton Head Island
Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for youth. Children 5 and under admitted for free.
An all-access experience to Gullah culture featuring Gullah and African crafts and food, traditional storytelling, music entertainment, and more. Events will proceed rain or shine. Visit gullahcelebration.com for more details and tickets.
Celebration of African American Authors
Saturday, February 25 from 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Rotary Community Center
11 Recreation Drive, Bluffton
An afternoon experience that shines the light on African American authors and the important narratives revealed in their latest publications. The featured guest author is former NFL player Aaron Maybin. A complimentary lunch will be provided at this free event.
For more information on local events celebrating Black History, visit the websites for the following organizations:
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Native Islander Business & Community Affairs Association’s Gullah Celebration
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
Posted in Events, Hilton Head Essentials
Tagged black history, events, Gullah, Hilton Head, South Carolina
History of the U.S.Colored Troops
(provided by Cameron Art Museum)
When President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation effective January 1, 1863, it was a turning point for the war and the fight for freedom by authorizing the engagement of African Americans as soldiers in the Civil War. And on May 22, 1863, the Bureau of Colored Troops was established under General Order No. 143 to coordinate and organize regiments from all parts of the country. This coordination effectively impacted the war through 39 major engagements and more than 400 lesser ones fought by the United States Colored Troops (U.S.C.T.) in support of the Union Army.
Twenty-four African American soldiers received the Congressional Medal of Honor for extraordinary bravery in battle in addition to their white officers. One such event was the Battle of Forks Road which led to the fall of Wilmington, NC, and was fought by 1600 U.S.C.T. alongside other Union soldiers.
In contrast to many Civil War battles, at Forks Road there were white and African American soldiers serving in both the Union and Confederate forces. Three-fifths of all African American troops were former slaves, but they were, nonetheless, on their home ground in Wilmington, NC, as were the white Confederates.
It was at great personal threat to their lives that African American soldiers participated in the Civil War. The Confederate government threatened to execute or sell into slavery any captured U.S.C.T. soldiers–and it was not uncommon for them to carry out such threats. President Lincoln threatened punishment against Confederate prisoners whenever black soldiers were killed or enslaved.
During the war, African American troops battled against discrimination in pay, promotions, and sparse medical care. Blacks were in separate regiments with white officers as their commanders. They received less pay, inferior benefits and food and equipment was lacking. Blacks received just $10 a month–$3 less than whites, out of which $3 was deducted for clothing—while whites enjoyed a $3.50 clothing allowance and the black soldiers were refused enlistment bonuses, common to white soldiers.
There were African American soldiers, too, who had been sent, as slaves, to serve in their owner’s place, throughout the Confederate army. These men, along with other Union troops, were victorious at Forks Road, defeating the Confederate forces, taking control of Wilmington, and hastening the end of the war. The U.S.C.T. emerged from the war as heroes, viewed by former slaves and freemen alike as liberators of their people. Very soon after the end of the war Wilmington’s population shifted from a majority white population to a majority African American population; an effect that some have attributed to the influence of the soldiers who remained to make Wilmington their home. The cultural and political effects of that population shift were profound and are still reflected in the social and political life of the region.