Join Us For These Upcoming Events!
Tuesday · May 20 · 6pm
Second Annual Roy Williams Memorial Lecture
at Sunrise Presbyterian Church
Brittany Lavelle Tulla
"Every Building Has a Story: The Powerful Role Historic Research Plays in the Field of Historic Preservation"
May is Historic Preservation Month, so on Tuesday, May 20, Battery Gadsden Cultural Center is proud to present its second annual Roy Williams Memorial Lecture on Historic Preservation. This year’s speaker will be Brittany Lavelle Tulla, the proprietor of and lead architectural historian at BVL Historic Preservation Research, LLC, a Charleston-based architectural history firm that provides research and consulting services.
With a commitment to unearthing the soul, identity, and history of old buildings, places, and communities, Brittany is driven by her passion to “humanize” historic America.
Established in 2012, BVL HPR has served and supported a diverse array of clients, including municipalities and individual communities, in their quest to better understand and honor the places they revere, conducting well over 100 house histories for historic homeowners nationwide and assisting dozens of communities, ranging from historically Black farming settlements in rural South Carolina to dense Main Streets in thriving downtowns, in the quest to protect and preserve the historic character and culture of America’s unique built environment.
Brittany has received national and local awards for the firm’s research and dedication to honoring America’s story, such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s 40 Under 40: People Saving Places list, and has served as the keynote speaker for Fortune 500 companies, national interest groups, municipalities, schools and preservation programs across the nation on the value and power of historic preservation. Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Elon University, and she earned a Master of Science degree in Historic Preservation from Clemson University.
Tulla will be building on last year’s inaugural Williams Lecture given by Kristopher King, which focused on the historic character and architectural typologies of Sullivan’s Island. She will discuss ways in which understanding a building historically is integral to understanding a building architecturally. Her talk is titled, “Every Building Has a Story: The Powerful Role Historic Research Plays in the Field of Historic Preservation.” The speaker states, “I plan to provide case studies in which we let the building’s story and historic fabric ‘take the lead’ during a restoration/rehabilitation as well as unexpected powerful histories we have had the honor of uncovering during preservation projects. I conclude the talk by honoring the generation of historic researchers who came before us, including Roy Williams. Their work in the mid to late twentieth century has truly set the foundation for the current generation of historic preservation professionals in advocating for the character and historic integrity of our Lowcountry communities.”
The Second Annual Williams Lecture will take place in Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle St., Sullivan’s Island at 6pm on Tuesday, May 20.
A reception will follow in the church’s Fellowship Hall offering a chance to meet the speaker and discuss her presentation.
As always, Battery Gadsden’s speaker events are free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Battery Gadsden Cultural Center at batterygadsden@gmail.com
Tuesday · May 27 · 6pm
Jazz in the Fort
at Fort Moultrie
Jazz in the Fort: A Prelude to the Revolution! Get ready for the smooth sounds of jazz at this exciting event taking place at Fort Moultrie. Join us on Tuesday, May 27 (gates open at 5:30pm) and immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant music of this unique experience. Let the music transport you back in time as we celebrate the spirit of revolution through the power of jazz. Don't miss out on this unforgettable evening under the stars! Tickets include beer, wine and snack charcuterie boxes. Bring your OWN chair! Sponsored by Friends of Charleston National Parks and Battery Gadsden Cultural Center. CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS (few remain)
Saturday · June 28…
Carolina Day
at Fort Moultrie
We encourage you to take part in all the historical activities at Fort Moultrie.
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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.
