Located in the Dataw Island Welcome Center, the exhibit documents Dataw’s heritage dating back to prehistoric times, with historical artifacts from Native American life, the Sams family ownership of Dataw, Dataw after the Civil War and the New Era (covering Alcoa's development on the Island). Funded jointly by the Dataw Historic Foundation, Dataw Island Owner’s Association and the Dataw Island Club at a cost of more than $30,000, the exhibit required 18 months for completion and opened on September 23.
“We’re very excited to open ‘A Portrait of Dataw Island’ exhibit,” said Jack Brown, president of the Dataw Historic Foundation. “Showcasing the rich history of the island on which we live, this project required the talents and efforts of many people over the last year and a half, plus the guidance of The History Workshop, one of the most respected museum exhibit firms in the country. The September 23 open house attracted more than 200 people and we think the residents of Dataw Island will enjoy the exhibit for many years.”
“We were very excited to get the call from Dataw to ask us to participate in this project as we’ve had a long relationship with Dataw, dating back to the Alcoa days and their archeological research,” said Carol Poplin, senior project manager of The History Workshop. “Getting the artifacts out of boxes to present to the public is our chief mission as it allows the artifacts to share the past with people, tell their history and establish their belonging.”
About The History Workshop
Founded in 2004, The History Workshop is a diverse group of interpretive planners, designers, interpretive writers, illustrators, cinematographers, and computer programmers that specialize in interpretive planning, custom-designed exhibits, graphic design, and interactive design. Their background in archaeology, history, as well as in interpretation and design, ensures accurate, appropriate, meaningful, exciting, educational, and fun content that tells the client’s story. Recent History Workshop projects include Charleston City Hall, the Hall of Sports History in Rome, Georgia and the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum in Gaffney, S.C.
About Dataw Island
Located just outside of the antebellum town of Beaufort, S.C., Dataw Island combines a life of privacy and luxury. Recognized as one of the top coastal residential communities in the Southeast, this secluded 870-acre gated community offers residents the best in South Carolina Lowcountry living. Adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway and lush marshes, the Dataw community provides residents with the finest amenities in the southeast; two of the finest Lowcountry golf courses, eight Har-Tru tennis courts, championship croquet lawns, indoor and outdoor pools, community and fitness center, boat marina and a wide selection of dining options. For more information, contact Dataw Island at (866) 68-DATAW or visit www.dataw.com.
