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American florist %u2014 Dunbar%u2019s Florist %u2014 where she worked until she retired. %u201cIt%u2019s our hope that the rehabilitation of the Dunbar House will not only preserve Mary%u2019s legacy but serve as a catalyst for further thoughtful revitalization and redevelopment along Charles Street and within adjacent neighborhoods.%u201d In December, the Sons of the American Revolution, Governor Paul Hamilton Chapter, recognized Lise with the prestigious Martha Washington Medal for her efforts in organizing %u201can army of volunteers%u201d to celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette%u2019s triumphal visit to Beaufort in 1825 %u2014 an honor that Sundrla believes should include the whole community as hundreds of volunteers and thousands of onlookers, including hundreds of school children, participated in the recreation of that historic visit. It was the community%u2019s rallying cry in 1944 to save the Lafayette Building (now known as the John Mark Verdier House) that did more than protect one building from demolition. It launched the Historic Beaufort Foundation and ignited Beaufort%u2019s modern preservation movement. In 2026, HBF will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the rehabilitation of the house and of its opening in 1976 as Beaufort County%u2019s first historic house museum. Beaufort is the second largest historic district in South Carolina, and it is something to be proud of. %u201cAs stewards in our community, of our history and architecture, it is incumbent on us to listen to the community, to the stories and memories that shaped our history,%u201d she says. %u201cPeople sometimes question the value of preservation, especially when they see opportunities for greater development %u2014 another hotel, another gas station, another storage unit. I believe you learn from your past and preserving it offers tangible lessons.%u201d For Lise and HBF, as a whole, their work is not only about preserving historic buildings but also about safeguarding memories, and the history and identity of the people who lived here before us %u2014 preserving Beaufort%u2019s past for the future. If you are interested in learning more about the Historic Beaufort Foundation, their work, or volunteering, you can visit their website www.historicbeaufort.org.BeaufortLifestyle.com | January 2026 39