Conference Venue
May Forest State Park
424 Fort Johnson Road, Charleston, 29412
All presentations and poster sessions will be hosted at May Forest State Park, located on historic James Island. May Forest State Park is located at the end of Fort Johnson Road and consists of 23 acres that were once owned by the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy. The congregation dates back nearly two centuries in Charleston.
The group ran a school for free children of color in the 1840s, cared for both Union and Confederate wounded soldiers during the Civil War, founded the hospital that would evolve into the Roper St. Francis Healthcare system, and ran social service organizations that helped those facing poverty. The park is rich in history, dating back to the Archaic Stage, and maintains sweeping views of the Charleston skyline and harbor, offering a beautiful perspective of the city.
Conference Events & Workshops
History Happy Hour Reception – Thursday 5 – 7:30 pm
If you arrive in town early, consider attending the next Charleston History Happy Hour event as we kick off this year’s SECHSA conference. Starting around 5:00 PM, this informal event, composed of local folks who share an interest in history and preservation, will be hosted at Holy City Brewing, located at 1021 Aragon Ave, North Charleston, SC 29405. The group will meet outside under the large awning
Curiosities and Oddities: An Artifact Workshop – Friday 9 – 11 am
Do you have an unidentified artifact to show and tell? A class of objects you are uncertain how to catalog or interpret? A strange decoration mode? The stories connected to such objects are usually just as unique as the artifacts. We will spend our morning sharing and discussing the strange and unexpected aspects of archaeological material culture.
Perspectives, Practice, and Inevitability: A Conversation – Friday 1:30 – 3:30 pm
The Lowcountry maintains significant archaeological deposits, dynamic historical records, and cemeteries often restricted by class or racial groups; Charleston represents a difficult past that merges with an ever-changing skyline and a population mired in overwhelming commercial and residential development. After lunch, a panel discussion and facilitated conversation will examine these themes from regional perspectives, inviting members of the SECHSA community to engage in critical dialogues among colleagues in the Southeast. Panelists for this workshop are:
- Ralph Bailey – Brockington and Associates
- Ella Butler – Brockington and Associates
- Marilyn Hemingway – Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
- Omar Muhammad – Protect and Respect the Bodies
- Brian Turner – Preservation Society of Charleston
May Forest History Room Presentations and Self-Guided Fort Johnson Tour Opportunities, Friday, 3:30 – 5:00 PM
A 30-minute tour and presentation of the Sisters of Charity of Our Lady of Mercy History Room that chronicles their almost 200 years of service. Group size is limited, and no photography is allowed inside the History Room. Tours will be organized on-site, depending on participation levels.
Just across from the entrance to May Forest is the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Marine Resources Center, where the original Fort Johnson once stood. This fortification, first constructed in 1708, is best known as the location for the first shot fired, starting the US Civil War on April 12, 1861. A self-guided tour pamphlet discussing the location’s long history, produced by SCDNR, will be available to attendees interested in visiting.
Lowcountry Boil Conference Reception Friday, 5:30-8:30 PM
Join friends and colleagues on the shores of Charleston Harbor as we celebrate the 2026 annual conference with a Lowcountry specialty. Potatoes, corn, sausage, local shrimp, and special seasonings boiled to perfection. We will also have tea, lemonade, wine, and basic beers. There will be cooler space for folks, as everyone is welcome to BYOB their favorite beverages/beer for themselves or to share.