historic Charleston

Charleston City Council Considers Plan to Preserve Smokestacks

The Eastside Community’s historic 135-feet smokestacks are at the center of a debate over their preservation.

Charleston City Council officials are considering an estimated $3 million preservation plan to save the smokestacks, which are currently located in downtown Charleston at the St. Julian Devine Community Center.

There was initially a push to remove the smokestacks from city officials due to safety concerns. Some experts warn the smokestacks are at risk of falling on homes during natural disasters like a hurricane or earthquake.

President of the Eastside Community Development Corporation, Latonya Gamble, said the smokestacks are “an important part of our history, it has some African American history, it has some industrial history. It has a beautiful skyline and it gives our neighborhood character.”

The Charleston City Council will soon vote on a supposed $200,000 preservation contract with an engineering firm to create a plan to preserve the historic smokestacks.

A majority of the preservation funds are expected to come from fundraising, with the rest of the funds being taken from a fund reserved and property taxes.

News

Charleston Museum Will Not Accept the Calhoun Statue

After a unanimous vote between The Charleston Museum Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, the John. C. Calhoun statue will not be accepted into the Charleston Museum. This came as an official statement from the museum late last week.

The reasoning behind its refusal lies in the size of the monument. The size and weight would cause problems for the museum, as there isn’t enough space available. As well as space being an issue, the executive committee claims that he was “not a Charleston figure.” The statue could be added to the museum courtyard, but then it would be returning to another public space.

“While we recognize that John C. Calhoun was a man of significant national historical importance, he was not a Charleston figure and as such his biographical history does not fit in with the Museum’s general purpose and mission of interpreting the cultural and natural history of Charleston and the Lowcountry.,” officials explained.

In late June, Mayor John Tecklenburg announced the figures’ official removal from Marion Square. Several protests in support of the Black Lives Matter movement were the push that sparked the relocation of the statue.

It seems the search for a new space to move the monument continues.

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Local Artist Feature

Charleston is known for its delicious southern meals, vast scenery, and blissful beaches, but there’s one thing often overlooked. As a city filled with creatives who are inspired by their surroundings, Charleston facilitates a spot for up and coming artists. The pastel buildings and sunkissed waterways are inspiration a-plenty when it comes to artistry. Today, we’ve gathered a roundup of local artists we love that we think you’ll love too.

Gaston Locklear

Locklear draws his inspiration from graphics found on billboards, urban walls, and other public spaces. His art acts as what he explains to be “a parallel to the human experience.” The Garden City Beach, SC natives’ intricate designs are purposely open for interpretation.

Kellie Jacobs

Think pastels and waterways when you think Jacobs. The College of Charleston grad designs landscape paintings through her own form of expression. Her use of dreamy pastels paired with detailed textures is a match made in heaven. You can find her work hanging at Roper St. Francis Healthcare and Southeastern Publishing Company, Inc.

Emily Allyson a.k.a. Southern Blonde Salt

The Bluffton native behind Southern Blonde Salt is inspired by the animals and sights around her hometown. Featuring oysters, redfish, and ocean landscapes, her style is imminent of life in the Carolinas.

Lynne Hardwick

Hardwick’s art hangs in the Lowcountry Artists Gallery located on East Bay St. Her love for meeting people and connecting with spirituality act as a spark for such abstract pieces. With many layers and strategic color blocking choices, her paintings are a reflection of life in Charleston through an entirely new lens.

Sam Malpass a.k.a. Badway Creative

If you’ve been to places like Saltwater Cowboys, The Vendue Hotel, or Ro Sham Beaux, you’ve seen artwork by Sam Malpass. Malpass is a travel-inspired artist who enjoys richly saturated hues and liquid impressionist brush strokes. Her murals and paintings are a staple to the Charleston area because of her knack for capturing the soul of each subject.

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Airbnb Bans Parties in Charleston Properties

With the warm weather upon us and restaurants reopening their doors, Airbnb guests might be tempted to throw a party in celebration. Airbnb warns that this could now result in a banning from the lodging service app.

In response to Coronavirus, large gatherings and parties are no longer permitted. Stricter rules are coming for renters. With a plethora of Airbnb homes in downtown Charleston, many are to be affected.

In a recent press release, Airbnb states that “While Mayer John Tecklenburg announced the gradual easing of some COVID-19 restrictions, he has continued to emphasize and mandate social distancing, meaning our new policy will continue to prohibit any type of party at an Airbnb listing in Charleston until further notice.”

To reinforce their point, Airbnb temporarily disabled the “event-friendly” search filter. Previously the filter helps to help seek out venues for large gatherings. Without the option, Airbnb hopes to reduce the number of parties.

In a city that’s usually filled with Bachelorette parties and vacation beach-goers, it looks like this Charleston summer will be quieter than usual.

Airbnb has yet to update when they’ll re-allow large gatherings. Until further notice, the app will remain party-free.

Featured

9 Charleston Activities That Should Be On Your Bucket List

Whether you’re visiting Charleston for the first time, you just moved here, or you’ve lived here all your life, there are a few MUST-see and do things that everyone should experience at least once.

Here are 9 things that should be on everyone’s Charleston bucket list:

Walk or Run Over the Ravenel Bridge

In addition to being a great way to exercise, this activity is also free and offers incredible views of the Charleston harbor at the midpoint of the bridge.

Visit the Angel Oak Tree

A trip out to John’s Island, which is just outside Charleston, is a must-see day trip destination that everyone needs to experience at least once. Check out the famous Angel Oak Tree, a historic 500-year-old tree in the heart of Wadmalaw.

Check Out Patriot’s Point and the USS Yorktown

The docks at the Patriot’s Point marina offer incredible views of the Charleston harbor. History bluffs will also love touring the Yorktown, a decommissioned World War II aircraft carrier.

Ride Horses on the Beach

The Seabrook Equestrian Center is the only place that offers horse riding on the beach in Charleston. This activity gives animal lovers a chance to trot or gallop along the breaking waves of the beautiful South Carolina coastline.

Walk in the Middle of King Street during Second Sunday

On the second Sunday of each month, King Street is closed off to vehicular traffic from Calhoun Street to Queen Street. This event is popular amongst locals and tourists alike, as restaurants and shops congregate along the street to showcase and sample their goods.

Take a Ghost Tour of the Old Jail

Having housed some of the city’s most infamous criminals, the Old Jail is supposedly one of the most haunted places in all of Charleston. Take a nighttime ghost tour, if you’re feeling extra adventurous.

Visit the Pitt Street Bridge

One of Charleston’s lesser-known spots, the Pitt Street Bridge is nestled between greater Mount Pleasant and Fort Moultrie and offers amazing views of the harbor and the cove. Venture through old Mt. Pleasant and grab a bite to eat at the famous Pitt Street Pharmacy.

Walk Along The Battery

The Battery is one of Charleston’s most iconic locations, encompassing the ocean walkway, white point gardens, and of course the picturesque southern mansions that line East Battery Street. Take a walk around the fortified seawall and admire the beauty and history of downtown Charleston.

Take a Ferry to Fort Sumter

Fort Sumter is known for being the location of the first battle of the Civil War and is the only National Park in Charleston. Take a tour of the fort and experience the stunning views of both the Charleston harbor and the Atlantic ocean.

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Historic Vote Approves Necessary Funding To Begin Building Charleston’s Newest Museum

Feature Image: Post and Courier

Last Tuesday, July 16 the Charleston City Council unanimously voted to approve a total of $60.2 million to start construction on Charleston’s International African American Museum.

The vote comes after years of planning and fundraising, which was a success in itself. Over $90 million was raised in support of the museum along with contributions from several donors including the city of Charleston.

Since 2000, former Charleston Mayor, Joseph Riley has been working to build an internationally recognized museum on Charleston’s waterfront at Gadsden’s Wharf. This site is specifically important to the African American community as it marks the place where more enslaved African Americans arrived and were sold in the U.S. than any other location in the country.

As reported by the Post & Courier, shortly before Tuesday’s vote, Riley said, “It’s a very exciting moment in the history of the museum and our community.”

However, even with all of the support, there are still community members who are against the current building design. The group goes by the name “Citizens Want Excellence at IAAM” and is opposed to the current building design of the museum. They feel it should be changed to “reflect specific elements of African and African American culture,” and are also concerned with how the narrative of enslavement will be told at the museum.

Michael Moore, the museum’s first president, and CEO, has been heavily involved in the planning and fundraising as well to prepare for the museum’s groundbreaking. A formal groundbreaking ceremony is expected to take place in October of this year with a museum opening in 2021.

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Palmetto Carriage Works Is Keeping It Cool

Featured Photo: Palmetto Carriage Works

If you’re from the Charleston area you’re probably well aware that the welfare of carriage horses and mules has been a heated topic of conversation of the past year. Palmetto Carriage Works considers their animals as part of the family and makes it a priority to keep the horses and mules happy and healthy.

One of the biggest topics in the carriage horse issue is how is it safe for the horses to work in Charleston’s insane high temperatures during the summer? Well, Palmetto Carriage Works takes multiple precautions to keep their animals safe during the Charleston summers.

Image Credit: Palmetto Carriage Works/ Facebook

First, they make sure all of the horses get plenty of water and breaks at the barn between tours – this happens all the time, but it amplified during the summer. Their staff is also always monitoring the temperature.

Once the outside temperatures reach 95 degrees, or the heat index reaches 110, all carriage tours are halted until the temperatures drop. This rule makes sure that the horses and mules are never working in conditions that could lead to overheating. Palmetto Carriage Works also takes the temperature of each individual animal after each tour – this helps ensure that the animals are safe and healthy.

You are probably wondering, what is an unsafe temperature for the animals to have? If at any time the animal’s temperature reads more than 102.9 degrees, the animal does not go back to work until he/she has cooled off to the appropriate temperature range.

Image Credit: Palmetto Carriage Works/ Facebook

Charleston is one of the only recorded cities in the world that pays attention to the temperature and health of their animals. Because Palmetto Carriage Works takes the time to monitor their animals so closely they have not had a heat-related incident in over 30 years.

Palmetto Carriage Works cares about every one of their employees in the same way, whether they have two legs or four.