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"There have been many historians who say that we cannot know where we are going unless we know who we are and from where we came. Historic Beaufort Foundation is a primary resource for who we are as Americans and as a community.

All the threads of Beaufort are woven together into a magnificent quilt through our shared history. Our continued support of the mission of shared community can be realized in our support of HBF. We become stronger through learning our own history and HBF is the conduit."

- Beth Grace

In 1944, a group of thoughtful citizens led by Beaufort resident Howard Danner came together to save the Lafayette Building at 801 Bay Street in downtown Beaufort. The house, now known as the John Mark Verdier House, was slated for demolition by the City.  Out of this successful effort, the house was saved, and Historic Beaufort Foundation emerged. 

Incorporated in 1965, Historic Beaufort Foundation under the leadership of Board President Lucy Hall, and with support from Mayor Henry Chambers and others, championed the effort to restore the John Mark Verdier House, opening it to the public in 1975.

Chartered in 1965

OUR MISSION

HBF is a 501(c)3 not for profit education foundation created  to preserve, protect and present sites and artifacts of historic, architectural and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County, South Carolina.

OUR STAFF

Cynthia Cole Jenkins

Executive
Director

Lise Sundrla

Assistant
Director

Linda Lathrop

Administrative
Assistant

Cassandra Knoppel

Preservation Education
and Programs Coordinator

"HBF is the "guardian angel" of the unique history of Beaufort, particularly its architecture. This unique quality is what makes Beaufort such a wonderful place to live."

- Carolyn and Bill Nettles

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Rob Montgomery

Chairman

Beth Grace

Vice Chairman

J. Wood Rutter

Treasurer

Larry Haskell

Secretary

Wayne Vance

Immediate Past President

Marshall Bassett

Drew Scallan

Dr. John McCardell

John Tashjian

Derek Gilbert

Donna Dehncke

John Troutman

Sarah Dyson

Ivey Savage

Patricia Battey