HISTORIC PORT ROYAL FOUNDATION
A Living History
story by ROBIN TODD photos by CHARLOTTE BERKELEY-STANGE
If one happens to be in the market for a Saturday morning activity that won’t break the bank, the Historic Port Royal Foundation and Museum should be added to the list. Being established in 1562, the town of Port Royal has a very in-depth history worth preserving. This Foundation exists exclusively for this very purpose. They are accepting tours either self-guided or led by a very knowledgeable and passionate Foundation member. You can tour and learn the rich history that has formed and continues to tell the story of Port Royal.
The Museum is strictly donation-based and has its doors open to the public. The exceptional group of individuals who keep it up and running are in it for the long haul and are on standby to share their passion for the living history found right here in Port Royal.
Founded in 1976 by Emily Bishop, initially as the Port Royal Bicentennial Historic Committee, their goal was to plan and put into action the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration of the town and create long-term goals with action items to preserve the historical data of Port Royal. After all was said and done, the group transitioned into what is now called the Historic Port Royal Foundation. Their mission statement, “To engage in and encourage partnerships to work for the preservation and protection of artifacts, buildings, landmarks, institutions and documents; and to promote knowledge of appreciation of these items which portray the Town of Port Royals History.” The Museum was founded in 2002.
Nestled along the Cypress wetlands, one can find the newly located Museum and stumble right into the living history of the town of Port Royal. You will find a transported seed and feed store from Manning, SC, broken down and rebuilt wall for wall, into a charming display of living history. Linda Davis, secretary and Docent shares the experience of being able to work out of the original location in the old Union Church. Relocating from the church into their current location at 1634 Paris Avenue has given the Museum more room to grow and expand their ability to display more of the rich town’s history. The Historic Port Royal Foundation has its doors open to tell the tales of the townspeople and the changing economy that has kept Port Royal thriving. Locals of the Lowcountry can attest, this little town is undoubtedly a special place, and it is documented beautifully and on display for you right here. You will find shark tooth displays, historical displays, an ever-expanding resource library, cookbooks for sale with recipes that have been passed down for generations, blankets, coffee mugs, keychains, and note cards created by local artists.
The Museum is set up in such a way that you can walk through solo or be accompanied by one of their members who can tell the stories behind each picture, artifact or document. You can experience the history of Port Royal Elementary, the old Scheper’s store, the residents, and of course, the ever-changing local economy that has put Port Royal on the map. Fishing, crabbing, and shrimping have been the predominant economy here in this small town, and this Foundation has everything documented to review and relive.
Sitting among the members of the Foundation, listening to them discuss upcoming projects and current involvement with the town and preservation of history, one can feel the personal connection and community that is Port Royal. If you have ever been to a Port Royal street music event, you may have supported the Foundation by indulging in the hot dogs and popcorn sold by the members.
Mike Jones is the Foundation President. He is referred to by the other members as the “visionary, designer, and heart of the museum,” although he doesn’t fully claim the entirety of this title. Instead, he shares it with the whole group of members. His vision for the future of the Museum includes a more in-depth library of cataloged historical documents. These documents would be available to the community to research into the past and read interviews of prominent historical movers and shakers. He moved to Port Royal as a child and has not left. This town seems to have that effect on people.
Woody Collins, a member, and historian is a wealth of animated knowledge. He grew up along the streets of this little port town and was a fisherman for 40 years on the shores of this small piece of Lowcountry. He has watched the changing tides of the economy and will take you for a ride down memory lane. “I love the school and the old Scheper store because I used to go there, we used to go down to the Sands while they were dredging, to collect these things. A picture is worth a thousand words. Everything you see here has a story, and everyone here is capable of telling it.” He pauses a bit longer at the display set up that tells the story of the history of the shrimping economy and those individuals who have shaped it. He beams with pride as he shares the story of Charlie Wilson, the first black shrimper who resided right here in Port Royal until he passed at the age of 100. You can see Charlie’s smiling face of joy, pride, and hard work standing in front of his shrimp boat displayed in the Museum. Another pride and joy of Woody’s is the history of Port Royal Elementary School. He shares the school was used as a safe place for evacuation during hurricanes. During one storm, the roof was blown off with everyone inside. Displayed inside the case of artifacts is a multitude of things, including a list of rules for teachers from 1872, which is quite humorous.
Vice President and Treasurer Eileen Newton explains that the turn of the century is their current focus. They are working hard to uncover and preserve the history of Port Royal. The Foundation is actively seeking any pictures, documents, or artifacts that could add value to the story that is this small town. If you are a local with any of these items, the Foundation would like to open their doors for your contribution. You may stop in the Museum. They can duplicate your photos and documents and you do not have to leave the original. The Museum is seeking anything that may have come from Port Royal Elementary, the Scheper store, the railroad, and the old police station.
The Museum is open every Thursday from 10 am-3 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am-2 pm. Their cozy new location is in Harbour Village in Port Royal. They are also available for scheduled group tours and are always seeking volunteers who would love to match their passion for history with the efforts of the foundation to promote Port Royal’s history.
