Beaufort as “Cradle of Secession 1790-1860” is theme for HBF Winter Series
Beaufort as the cradle of secession will be the focus of Historic Beaufort Foundation’s long-
running Winter Lecture Series that launches Feb. 5 at USCB’s Center for the Arts in downtown
Beaufort.
This year, highly-regarded professors Dr. John McCardell, Dr. Larry Rowland and Dr. Stephen
Wise will be featured each night of the 2026 series.
“For the past four years, our Winter Lecture Series has drawn hundreds of history enthusiasts
each year to learn about Lowcountry and South Carolina history from three of the most engaging
experts in the field,” said Lise Sundrla, HBF executive director. “Not only do they know their
facts, but they share the information in a storytelling manner that brings our history alive.”
Tickets are available online and are expected to sell quickly. Please visit the HBF website at
https://historicbeaufort.org/ for more information.
This year’s topics center on the theme of “Beaufort, the Cradle of Secession, 1790-1860”:
February 5 – South Carolina and the Idea of Nullification
February 12 – “Calhounism”
February 26 – The Bitter Fruits of Manifest Destiny
March 5 – An “Irrepressible Conflict?”
All lectures run from 5:30-8 p.m. at the USCB Center for the Arts at 805 Carteret Street,
Beaufort SC 29902.
Tickets:
• $30 single night ticket for HBF members or $120 for full series
• $35 single night ticket for non-members or $140 for full series
• $20 single night ticket for full-time students with valid student ID and $80 for full series.
1If available, tickets can also be purchased on site the night of each event. Doors open at 4:45
p.m. and the lectures start promptly at 5:30 p.m. Visit https://historicbeaufort.org/ to purchase
tickets online. All sales are final.
The esteemed lecturers include:
• Dr. John McCardell graduated from Washington and Lee University and earned his PhD in
history from Harvard University. For his dissertation, The Idea of a Southern Nation, he
earned the 1977 Alan Nevins Prize by the Society of American Historians. McCardell served
as vice-chancellor of Sewanee: The University of the South from 2010 until June 2020.
• Dr. Larry Rowland is the Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History for the University of
South Carolina, Beaufort, and previously held roles with USC as Professor of History and
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Hamilton
College in New York and both his Master’s degree and Doctorate from the University of
South Carolina. He has authored numerous books and articles about South Carolina and the
Sea Islands.
• Dr. Stephen Wise is the curator of the museum for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris
Island. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University, his Master’s degree
from Bowling Green State University, and his PhD from the University of South Carolina.
He has written and edited several books and articles including Lifeline of the Confederacy:
Blockade Running During the Civil War, and Gate of Hell: The Campaign for Charleston
Harbor.
Historic Beaufort Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education foundation created to preserve,
protect, and present sites and artifacts of historic, architectural, and cultural interest throughout
Beaufort County, South Carolina. For more information on the entity’s mission and history,
please visit historicbeaufort.org and follow them on social media, including Facebook and
Instagram.
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