Spreading the word about Daniel Island history is one of the prime missions of DIHS and outreach to area youth is one of the ways we do that. We work closely with local schools providing books and instructional materials as well as programs like Philip Simmons Art shows, History Trunks, and other efforts.
But we just added a new way to ‘spread the word’, working with the Berkeley County Library and our local branch here on Daniel Island to present a program called “Daniel Island Past, Present & Future”.
Children (and parents) visited four ‘stations’ at the DI Library to learn more about local history.
PHILIP SIMMONS IRONWORK
Led by Lee Ann Bain, this station spotlighted life and work of the late Master Blacksmith Philip Simmons, a native of Daniel Island. Visitors to Lee Ann’s table got a Philip Simmons-inspired art activity to try at home.
DANIEL ISLAND UNEARTHED
DIHS volunteer Ethan Bain staffed a station called “Unearthed” at which participants could hold and learn about actual artifacts that were found on Daniel Island. They also got to sift through the DIHS Artifact Box to look for treasures.
SHIPBUILDING AND FERRIES
DIHS co-founder Mike Dahlman shared insights about shipbuilding on the island, as well as the ferries that transported folks to and from the island. Each visitor was given a small foam boat to make at home!
TRUCK FARMING
At this station, DIHS co-founder Beth Bush provided information on the island’s truck farming years, from the early 1900s to 1940s. Participants got to hold an actual “coin” used to pay employees of the American Fruit Growers Company that once operated in the Mitchell Wharf area on the Wando River. They also got to pick out seeds to take home and grow in their own gardens!
