hutchinson-heritage

HHF Awarded A Local Grant

greg_estevez@hotmail.com (Greg Estevez) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 20:27:39 GMT

HHF Awarded Local Grant

On November 26th, the Hutchinson Heritage Foundation (HHF) was awarded a grant from the Edisto Island Lions Club along with several other non-profit organizations that faithfully serve the people of Edisto Island. Since1958, the Edisto Island Lions Club has raised more than $500,000 dollars (through BINGO) and has distributed these funds to Edisto Island's non profits organizations, individuals and families in need. We salute & celebrate them for their continued commitment in making Edisto Island a better place. Represenitives of 10 Edisto Island Nonprofits received checks totaling $18,000 from the Edisto Island Lions Club in the November 26th meeting.

Recipients include:

Edisto Seniors

Edisto Beach Loggerhead Turtle Project

Edisto Island Art Guild

Young Naturalists (E I Open Land Trust)

Edisto Island Youth Recreation

Edisto Island Y. Rec. Panther Packs

FRESPACE

Edisto Island Community Clinic

Lowcountry Food Bank (Allen AME Church)

The Hutchinson Heritage Foundation

Pictured are some HHF board members (Greg Estevez, Cheryl Estevez, Josie Olsvig, Mike Edisto Vito and Denzel Wright) who attended their annual award ceremony and dinner.

HHF Partners With Botany Bay Eco Tours

greg_estevez@hotmail.com (Greg Estevez) — Fri, 10 May 2024 16:00:54 GMT

HHF Partners with Botany Bay Ecotours To Make A Difference On Edisto Island

The Hutchinson Heritage Foundation wanted to share some exciting news! The HHF is already making a difference in the Edisto Island community. We are delighted that we are able to do this incredible work and partner with organizations such as the Botany Bay Ecotours. This partnership shows how we are committed to touching the lives of others. Each year Botany Bay Ecotours raises funds through its Gullah Geechee history and culture tours to support projects to help keep seniors in their homes by assisting with the costs of home repairs. A Big Shoutout to our good friend, Meg Hoyle and Botany Bay Ecotours for making this all happen.

Save The Date : African American Cemetery Dedication Ceremony on Botany Bay

greg_estevez@hotmail.com (Greg Estevez) — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 18:29:03 GMT

Honoring Those From Our Untold History

On June 13, 2023, a cemetery was discovered on Botany Bay Plantation & Wildlife Preserve. This hallowed ground has cradled our Edisto Island ancestors for centuries. This cemetery will now be preserved for future generations to visit, research and honor. It is imperative that we, as a community, come together to honor our ancestors with a sacred ceremony. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and The Hutchinson Heritage Foundation have set aside April 5, 2024, as the day to officially recognize and celebrate our dear loved ones. We are partnering with several agencies and persons throughout the Gullah Geechee Corridor to properly show homage in a more respectful and dignified manner. We ask that you make plans to join in person or online.

Unearthing Forgotten Stories: The African American Cemetery at Botany Bay, Edisto Island

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 18:29:21 GMT

Unearthing History: The Discovery of an African American Cemetery at Botany Bay, Edisto Island

By Greg Estevez | Oct 16, 2023

On June 13, 2023, a group of historical professionals, direct descendants, and concerned members of the Edisto Island community discovered an African American cemetery on Botany Bay Plantation and Wildlife Reserve. This cemetery dates back to the 18 ^th and 19 ^th centuries (before slavery ended). Our historic cemeteries serve as a final stop for our loved ones as well as a window into the past. They not only represent the last resting place of our black ancestors, but they are also actual artifacts of American History.

For those who have studied history, we know that Black people didn’t start being buried in church cemeteries until after the Civil War. So, the question is where are the remains of our beloved ancestors that lived before the Civil War? Historical records from the 1850’s indicate that Edisto Island had 62 operating plantations on an island that is 12-mile long and 8-mile. 62 plantations. It is widely known that enslaved people were almost exclusively buried where they lived or worked at the time. It is our earnest belief that this recent discovery of 16 graves is only the beginning of what lies beneath the surface. We now know that beyond a shadow of a doubt that our people are there waiting to be found.

So why do we care? We care because most of these sites are in real danger of being lost, be it from development, neglect, or simply the loss of community knowledge regarding their locations. We now need to look at the importance of preserving these sacred spaces as well as steps we can take to save them. These graveyards, burial grounds, and cemeteries not only honor our ancestors; they're also an important resource for historians and genealogists who want to tell our history. However, these burial sites are often forgotten or ignored. The protection of these burial grounds is critical to ensuring a more complete, comprehensive understanding of history on Edisto Island, South Carolina. This African American cemetery and others yet to be discovered hold the untold stories of thousands of Blacks who lived and died on Edisto Island and the integral role they played in its very complicated history.