1:16 am on Tuesday May 22, 2012
| Posted by Ken Hawkins
Beaufort area set to mark 450 years since first European settlement (Updated)
Updates at the bottom with more links and information on events.)
Way back in 1562, Jean Ribaut with some 159 other settlers gave Parris Island a special designation as the first French settlement in the New World.
Next week ceremonies will be held at that site on Parris Island to mark that bit of history set 450 years ago.
With that in mind, Bruce Smith of The Associated Press has penned a recap of the settlement, Charlesfort, the dark history that followed the fort's brief year-long existence and what settlements came after — take a read of it here.
You can also see some reconstructions of the fort (along with more history) over at Access Genealogy.
And, yes, this isn't the first time we've mentioned the historic site.
Update: Here are more details on area events to mark the 450th anniversary.
- May 17 at noon a session, "The Archaeology of Charlesfort and Jean Ribaut", will be presented by Dr. Chester DePratter at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club of Meridian Road on Lady's Island.
- May 23 at 7 p.m. an "Elizabethan Music" session by The Goliards at the Port Royal Shed (at 8th and Paris Avenue). The Island Packet offers a preview of the musicians performing.
- May 25 at 1:30 p.m. there will be an (invitation only) "Ceremony to Celebrate Ribaut 450" at the Charlesfort/Santa Elena Historic Landmark Site with a reception to follow at the Parris Island Museum.
The Beaufort District Collection has also offered up a post with a slew of links to the history of the site.
