Friends of Fort Fremont ANNUAL MEETINGS:
Friends of Fort Fremont Annual Meeting February 2, 2024
Beaufort Branch Library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort, SC
A short business meeting was followed by a Special Presentation by Dr. James Shinn, Assistant Professor of History, USCB. Americans and ‘Free Cuba’: The Pre-history of the Spanish-American War 1868-1898. “In October 1868, when Cuban rebels rose up against Spanish rule and declared their intention to abolish slavery, Americans were electrified. Thousands signed petitions and marched in the streets, urging the U.S. government to do everything in its power to help “Free Cuba.” Why were Americans so interested in the first stirrings of the Cuban struggle for independence? What can the “Free Cuba” movement of the 1860s and 1870s tell us about the United States after the Civil War? This lecture will explore a pivotal but largely forgotten episode in the history of the U.S. foreign relations.”
To Join the Friends go to our Membership page.
or send check payable to Friends of Fort Fremont
P.O. Box 982
St. Helena Island, SC 29920
Friends of Fort Fremont Annual Meeting
February 1, 2020
At the Annual Meeting at the St. Helena Public Library we thanked outgoing President, Rod Kesting,
for his leadership and dedication over the past four years. He spent the past two years working with committee members
and the County to formalize our shared responsibilities. This work has been quite deliberate with an eye to safeguarding
the interests of the County and the FFF, resulting in a Memorandum of Understanding (now signed -
Click here to view),
a Facility Use Agreement (in progress, but close), and eventually an annual operating plan.
Although Rod is stepping down from the Board, he will remain involved in the preservation of Fort Fremont.
Membership voted to accept the proposed slate of Officers and Directors. We welcome incoming president,
Kathryn Mixon; Vice President, Wendy Wilson; new Board member, Col. Fred Channels (Ret.); and returning
Board Members Drs. Marian and Ray Rollings.
Beaufort County Passive Parks Manager, Stefanie Nagid reported on the construction of the Interpretive Center.
She wrote: "At this time, the construction footprint areas have been cleared of vegetation, the picnic pavilion foundation
has been poured, some of the sidewalks have been poured, the latrine has been relocated and the groundwork for
the interpretive center foundation is being prepared. Construction will begin to move at a more rapid pace over the
next six months, however a completion date has not yet been established." Click here to view)
FFF continues to implement plans for telling the FF story, and applying for ATAX money to do so.
Building on the success of the diorama, docent manual, and documentary, we have spent the past two years finalizing
a smartphone app for self-guided tours and, most recently, developing content for the panels that will be displayed
in the Interpretive Center.
FFF Annual Meeting - 2019
At our 2019 Meeting, February 23rd, the budget for 2019 was presented. Also discussed were further developments in Beaufort County's plans for construction of the Interpretive Center, and a preview of the TourBuddy app.
FFF Annual Meeting - 2018
At our 2018 our new Board officers were introduced: Rod Kesting, President, Kathy Mixon, Vice President, and Cyn Follrich, Treasurer. They join Jane Forsythe, Secretary, in guiding the Board of Directors into another year anticipating final formalization of participatory documents to oversee our continuing use of the Preserve grounds and soon to be built Interpretive Center.
Friends of Fort Fremont Annual Meeting - 2017
Monday, June 26, 2:00 PM at the Saint Helena Branch Library we held our Annual Meeting in the Library Conference Room. President Steve Linn introduced our Board members who gave reports on progress over the year, including the newly released Fort Fremont Tour Video (funded by the Beaufort County Accommodations Tax Grant).
Then, Architect Michael Griffith presented the current plans for the Beaufort County Interpretive Center at Fort Fremont Historical Park. Michael also wowed us all with a professional preview video of the concept of the Fort Fremont Interpretive Center. The County also presented landscaping plans for the park. Finally the audience asked questions and concerns. Light refreshments were served.
FFF Annual Notice 2016
2016: The Friends of Fort Fremont have had an awesome year so far. We held our annual oyster roast in Port Royal last March. Despite delays in construction of the planned Interpretive Center at Fort Fremont (due to a State-required archaeology dig), we developed an acclaimed docent tour of the Diorama and other historic models located at the Saint Helena Branch of the Beaufort County Library followed by an inspection of the ruins at the County park site on Lands End. The tour is available to the public the 4th Saturday each month and to other interested groups by request as scheduled. Don't miss it!
In collaboration with the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce, local historical groups and events, First Shore, and the Lowcountry Resort Islands and Tourism Commission, the Friends have raised public awareness of this Spanish American War relic, which like the Cold War Nike missile program and later the ICBM system, contributed to the United States' peace-keeping efforts and international safety without firing a single shot.
The Friends continue to help the County keep the park clean of windfall, trash and graffiti on an ongoing basis, as well as sponsor and facilitate local school visits, preservation activity and public safety improvements with the assistance of community groups and individuals. New this season, informative signs and brochures have been placed at the Fort describing the batteries that remain and the strategic significance of the entire military emplacement at the mouth of the Beaufort River.
These activities helped increase the ranking of Fort Fremont at TripAdvisor from #9 last year to #4 of eleven things to do on Saint Helena Island today and brought increased traffic to their website at www.fortfremont.org and their FaceBook page. Like us!
To celebrate our accomplishments and raise a few more dollars to keep up the good works, a Caribbean-themed soire' at The Celedon Club, 61 Sams Point Road on Lady's Island, was held on September 30, 2016. The menu (by "We Island" catering) included jerk chicken, rice dishes, and two varieties of cole slaw. Wine, beer, rum punch and non-alcohol drinks were served. Island musical entertainment by DJ Kwarme Shah of All Mobile Productions, Brooklyn, NY. Last but not least, a raffle of a gift basket was won by our favorite Master Miniaturist, Dennis Cannady.
Please watch for our next social and informational event. Join us and have fun as we promote, preserve, and protect the historic park and ruins on Saint Helena Island.
December 19, 2016
President's Annual Letter
First, I want to thank you for your commitment and support as we continue our mission to improve the visitor experience at Fort Fremont. Positive evidence of that commitment over the past year was an increase in our docent led tours where visitors can view our two dioramas that illuminate the Fort's history and take a physical tour of the Fort. The South Carolina Historical Society, the largest historic group in South Carolina, chose Fort Fremont and the Spanish-American War experience for their annual member tour this past fall. The FFF board approved and implemented temporary historical signage at the Fort. It will remain in place until the construction is completed, a short term measure to improve the visitors experience. Our newest project is developing a video that will complement our popular docent program and be utilized at St Helena Library until the completion of the Interpretive Center.
We did have our challenges this past year that tested the resolve of our FFF Members in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. FFF made a commitment to our community working on the Storm Recovery Assistance effort on St Helena for our neighbors in need. The Fort also had its own devastation from the hurricane where it had standing water, fallen trees and limbs. The Friends stepped up to effectuate a clean-up campaign and recovery plan that enabled visitors safe passage at the Fort.
We are extremely excited about our prospects in 2017 with the development of our Interpretive Center. To update you on our progress of the Interpretive Center, the FFF Members have been working closely with the architect, engineer, project manager, archeologist and County on the project. The FFF played an active role in recommending site improvements to project leadership to not only enhance the visitor experience, but uphold the test of time. Everything is in order as we wait for the completion of the bid packages that will be issued to potential builders. The final phase of the approval process for the Interpretive Center will be from the Beaufort County Council.
To that end, your support for FFF and the Interpretive Center has never been greater! Fort Fremont with the new Interpretive Center will be a major attraction for visitors to our area complementing our partnership with Penn Center and Hunting Island. Fort Fremont is a valued historical park and a Beaufort County treasure that will provide unlimited educational opportunities for our student population. Please take the opportunity to voice your support for the interpretive Center to anyone who will listen.
Best wishes for the holidays and look forward to seeing you in 2017!
Steve Linn
President of the Board
Friends of Fort Fremont
FFF Annual Meeting 2015 - June 9th
Saint Helena Island Branch of the Beaufort County Library
The agenda included introductions, 2014-15 progress report, committee reports, Dennis Cannady sharing on the Diorama, and guest speaker, Robb Wells of the Tourism Division of the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce.
As a slideshow highlighting the year played in the background and we sat around the miniature buildings completed to date, President Cecile Dorr led into a celebration of the retirement of Ian Hill, Beaufort County Historical Preservationist. Founding President Pete Richards presented Ian with an honorary plaque which will be affixed to a metal and wood bench to be placed on the porch of the coming Interpretive Center. Ian has tirelessly led the Friends through the processes and procedures to preserve the Fort Fremont batteries and develop the park and plan for the Interpretive building. Then, in a dynamic twist, Dr. Marion Rollings gave Pete a similar honor, his own plaque for a matching bench at the Center.
Download Cecile's Progress Report for the year.
Download the 2015 Beaufort County Accommodations Tax Public Relations & Marketing Plan for Fort Fremont.
