Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

First Shot of the Civil War Happened 150 year ago in Charleston on April 12

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As you know, Charleston is rich in history, but this year is a very special year for Charleston. April 12, 2011 actually marks the 150 year anniversary of the firing on Fort Sumter, more commonly known as the First Shot of the Civil War. Now you can come and witness where it all began…right here on the coast.

April 12, 2011, Marks the 150-Year Anniversary of the Firing on Fort Sumter, First Shot of the Civil War.

The Charleston area served as the backdrop for many of the Civil War’s significant events, which include

  • the Bombardment and Surrender of Fort Sumter on April 12, 1861
  • the Siege of Charleston, 1863 to 1865
  • the re-raising of the U.S. flag over Fort Sumter on April 14, 1865.

These events are some of the landmark dates of the American Civil War, which will be commemorated during the Civil War Sesquicentennial.

Listed below is a sampling of special Charleston area Civil War Sesquicentennial events and activities that range from concerts and theater performances to living history programs and reenactments, as well as events, lectures and complimentary film screenings.

• Fort Sumter will switch on two large, entwining lights aimed skyward on April 12; once the symbolic firing commences, the lights will separate to indicate the split of the nation. Motors will be fired intermittently until April 14.

• Spiritline Cruises Sesquicentennial Tour and Dinner Cruise, April 9, 12, 14; includes living history program, period music, lecture by a military historian, three-course southern-style meal and cruise aboard the Spirit of the Lowcountry; boarding at Fort Sumter Visitors Center

• Film on the Green, “Glory,” April 10; Marion Square Park, Charleston

• Voices from the Civil War Concert, April 11; Program includes music selections from the score to the PBS documentary film, The Civil War by Ken Burns, featuring Jay Ungar, Molly Mason and The Family Band with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sean Newhouse, along with the CSO Spiritual Ensemble & Mt. Zion AME Spiritual Ensemble; White Point Garden, Charleston

• Sunrise Concert: When Jesus Wept, April 12; In remembrance of the moment the first shots of the Civil War were fired, this candlelight concert features hymns by Colonial American composers including William Billings and others; White Point Garden, Charleston

• Reflections on the 150th Anniversary of the American Civil War: Volunteers in Blue and Gray, Why they Fought, April 12; lecture by James M. McPherson, American Civil War historian and author of numerous books including For Cause and Comrades, winner of the Lincoln Prize; Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston

• The Battle of Fort Sumter by Boat, April 12; historian and author Michael Coker leads guests of an intimate discussion of the events leading up the war and the Battle of Fort Sumter during a 1.5-hour boat tour • Stephen Marc – Passage of the Underground Railroad, April 8-July 10; exhibit organized by the University at Buffalo Art Galleries features Marc’s fascinating photographs and digital montages that explore the history of freedom-seekers on the Underground Railroad; Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston

• A Soldier’s View of Civil War Charleston, April 8-July 10; exhibit featuring over 30 paintings depicting the batteries and forts around Charleston Harbor as painted by Conrad Wise Chapman (1842-1910) during the Civil War; Gibbes Museum of Art, Charleston • Living History Programs with Confederate and Civilian Reenactors, April 9-17; Fort Sumter Visitor Education Center

• Union Reenactors Portraying Companies E&H, 1st U.S. Artillery Regiment, April 9-14; Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor • Encampment of Confederate Reenactors, April 9-17; Fort Moultrie, Sullivan’s Island

• Garrison of Fort Sumter Reenactment, April 14-17; Fort Sumter, Charleston Harbor • South Carolina Masonic Research Society 2011 Banquet & Symposium, April 22; featuring keynote speaker Michael Halleran, author of The Better Angels of our Nature: Freemasonry in the American Civil War; Omar Shrine Temple, Mount Pleasant

• “The Beginning of the Civil War” Manuscripts Exhibit, through April 27; Karpeles Manuscript Museum • Post Civil War Charleston – 1865: A Photographic Retrospective, through April 30; City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Charleston

• Remembering the Civil War: South Carolina Artists’ Perspectives, through April 30; City Gallery at Waterfront Park, Charleston Ongoing permanent exhibits include: • City Under Siege: Charleston in the Civil War; provides a rich overview of events in and around Charleston from secession to 1865, including the Federal naval blockade, Union bombardment, social dislocations, privations and five major Union attempts to capture the “Queen City of the South;” Charleston Museum

• Threads of War: Clothing and Textiles of The Civil War; through Sept. 5, 2011, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of those on the home front who battled deprivation and fear while raising their families and protecting their property, as well as the soldiers who fought on the front lines; Charleston Museum

• The Life and Times of Congressman Robert Smalls, April 3-June 19, 2012; coordinated by the S.C. State Museum, celebrates Smalls’ commandeering of the C.S.S. Planter in which he sailed with his family and several others past five Confederate batteries and out to the Union blockading fleet; Charleston Museum • Secessionists, Soldiers and Slaves: The Alston Family’s Civil War, through Dec. 31, 2015, showcases the permanent collections of the Edmondston-Alston including a rare original copy of the Ordinance of the Secession as well as the parole Charles Alston received form President Andrew Johnson after swearing allegiance to the United States in 1965; Edmondston-Alston House, Charleston

• Secessionists, Soldiers and Slaves: The Middleton Family’s Civil War, through Dec. 31, 2015; exhibit exploring rice culture during the war, the building of Charleston’s defenses, investing in experimental “seegar boats” and more; Middleton Place, Charleston

Fort Sumter-Fort Moultrie Historical Trust is a consortium that supports the National Park Service’s efforts to preserve, protect and enhance the sites for the benefit and education of the public. The Trust has aligned with historians and community leaders to plan activities that invite the public to learn about one of the most significant eras of the nation’s history. Although somber in tone, the unvarnished truth will be on display throughout the Sesquicentennial anniversary, 2011 – 2014.

A complete listing and additional information can be found at www.sccivilwar.org.

The Mullet Run on St. Johns Island – Charleston, SC

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[JOHNS ISLAND] — Whether artificial or authentic, if you are a fan of or boast your own Mullet hairstyle, mark your calendar for March 5! Dubbed the Mullet Haul, this inaugural trail run encourages runners to sport either real or imitation mullets during their participation in the race, held at Mullet Hall Equestrian Center on Johns Island.

Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission’s (CCPRC) first-ever trail run, the Mullet Haul will feature both a 5- and 10-mile run through the scenic moss-draped equestrian trails through the center at Johns Island County Park on Saturday, March 5. Both races begin at 10:00 a.m. Following the races, awards will be presented for the top runners, and all participants will be invited to take part in a post-race party featuring live music by Uncle Funkle and complimentary beverages.

Online registration is open now through March 4. Late registration and packet pickup will be available on race day from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. Official race t-shirts will be available to those who register by February 18.

Fees to participate in the 5-mile run portion of the event are $35 or $28 for residents of Charleston County. Fees to run the 10-mile leg are $45 or $36 for residents of Charleston County. The Mullet Haul is for ages 10 and older, and participants ages 10-15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Traditionally open for horse owners, trail riding and equestrian events only, this is the first race hosted at Mullet Hall by CCPRC. Mullet Hall Equestrian Center is located at 2662 Mullet Hall Road (off of River Road) on Johns Island. Register online at www.ccprc.com or call 843-795-4386.

Charleston, SC – January 2011 Events

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Need new ideas for the new year? The holidays are finally over, and it’s time to make plans for what to do for the month of January with your family and friends. As usual, there is always a lot going on in South Carolina, especially when it comes to food events and festivals.

First Friday on Broad – Jan 7, 2011
Participating galleries on gallery row will offer a featured wine to accompany their fine art on a relaxing stroll down The Row, on Friday January 7th from 5-8 PM. Many galleries will offer demos, music and refreshments.
http://coastalcompanion.com/south-carolina/charleston/first-fridays-on-broad/

Charleston Restaurant Week – Jan 14-22, 2011
There is no lack of good food in the city of Charleston, and every year there seems to be more restaurants and food festivals.
During this event you’ll get an opportunity to try out new restaurants and new menus and explore the culinary arts scene in Charleston. Participating restaurant serve food according to a fixed price menu. Some restaurants participate with three courses for $20, others with three courses for $30.
More details on our Charleston Restaurant Week page.

Charleston Marathon – Jan 15, 2011
The First Annual Charleston Marathon presented by the Riverfront Race Festival will take place on Saturday, January 15, 2011. The start of the 26.2 full marathon and 13.1-mile half marathon course beginning near the South Carolina Aquarium, downtown Charleston. The course will run South on East Bay St., passing Rainbow Row, and White Point Gardens, then follow King Street North where the half marathon will end at the Navy Yard at Noisette and the full marathon race will continue. The 10K and 5K road races will also begin at this start/finish line on the old navy base.

In true Low Country tradition, shrimp and grits will be at the finish line, along with music on the course from the Charleston County School District groups and adult beverages. For more information, go www.charlestonmarathon.com or www.riverfrontfestival.com.

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Charleston Comedy Festival – Jan 19 – 22, 2011
The annual festival brings in some of the hottest improv, sketch, and stand-up artists from Chicago, New York, Canada, Atlanta, and LA to the city of Charleston for a weekend of comedy.
The Charleston Stand-Up Competition finals will kick off early with a Tuesday night show at Theatre 99. On Wednesday and Thursday nights, there will be shows by local troupes Cats Hugging Cats, Full Love Throttle, Neckprov, Hot Pants, Moral Fixation, and Human Fireworks. Out-of-town performers Nate Baratze, The Shock T’s, and the Village Theatre will take over the Charleston Ballet Theatre on Thursday for a night of stand up, sketch, and improv. Read more on our special page about Charleston Comedy Festival.

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On Friday night, choose from 15 shows at various venues across town, including a show by Robot Johnson, Introducing Fish Taco, and This is Chucktown at South of Broadway Theatre in North Charleston and a stand up show featuring Nate Baratze, Dave and Ethan, and Tom Keller at the Pour House on James Island. More information at www.charlestoncomedyfestival.com

Charleston Boat Show – Jan 21 – 23, 2011
This is the biggest boat show in the Low Country with lots of things to see and do. The show takes place at North Charleston Convention Center and during the three day event you can look of course look at boats, get fishing tips, there’s even lots of fun activities for the kids.

Low Country Oyster Festival – Jan 30, 2011
One of the most popular food festivals in Charleston is the Oyster festival at beautiful Boone Hall Plantation in Charleston, SC. This is an annual festival for oyster lovers from all over the region, and now wonder, after all this is the world’s largest oyster festival.

It is said that about 65,000 pounds of oyster are delivered to the famous Charleston oyster roast for the big day, can you believe it? Don’t miss the well-known “Oyster Shucking” and “Oyster Eating” Contests. There is also live music on stage, a Kids Corner, a “Food Court” showcasing a variety of local restaurants and much more.

The Oyster Festival takes place January 30, 2011 from 10:30 am – 5 pm.
More details can be found on our special Low Country Oyster Festival page.

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Christmas Made in the South

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This is the best time of year for arts & crafts, and one of the most popular Arts & Crafts Shows comes to the coast every season – Christmas Made in the South. This is the perfect show to visit for those who love arts and crafts, it’s a great place to get new ideas, find inspiration, or just to pick up unique gifts for friends and family.

The show visits the coast on the following days (visit the special page to download a coupon with a rebate on admission):

Christmas Made in the South – Savannah on Nov 19 -21,2010

Christmas Made in the South – Jacksonville Nov 26 – 28, 2010

Christmas Made in the South – Charleston Dec 3 – 5, 2010

Gingerbread House Contest in Charleston, SC

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The Holiday Festival of Lights Gingerbread House Competition is a beloved Lowcountry tradition and now it’s time to warm up your ovens, gather up sugar, spices, and add a spoonful of creativity to the mix to participate. Registration for the 12th Annual Holiday Festival of Lights Gingerbread House Competition is open now through November 5.

[picappgallerysingle id=”5100727″]Here are the basic rules;

Houses must be made entirely of edible materials (except the base), and cannot exceed 18” in width, length or height. Entries will be judged based on creativity, overall appearance, difficulty, and craftsmanship.

Houses can be entered in one of four different age categories – ages 6 and under, ages 7-11, ages 12-16 or ages 17 and up. The contest will be judged by a panel of 20 people, with each house judged individually in each category.

The top three entries in each category will be displayed in Santa’s Sweet Shoppe and other locations during the Holiday Festival of Lights.

Contest coordinator Marianne Bower encourages creative bakers of all ages and experience levels to participate in this fun event. She suggests the use of gingerbread house patterns to help with construction of your ginger bread house masterpiece, but not to use “all-in-one” kits.

“There are many websites out there that provide inspiration for unique and amazing creations,” said Bower. Entries must be actual “domiciles;” however, Bower says that she has seen a number of unusual gingerbread houses, including churches, trains, and once, even the Millennium Falcon from “Star Wars”.

Registration ends Friday, November 5. An award ceremony for the top winners will take place at the Park Center at James Island County Park as part of the opening of the annual Holiday Festival of Lights on November 12. The award ceremony will take place at 6:30 p.m.

Click here to read more about The Holiday Festival of Lights will be open November 12, 2010 – January 2, 2011 at James Island County Park.

Participants are encouraged to sign up through the Park and Program Services Center by calling 843-795-4FUN. Or, download an application in pdf format right here.