Join Us For These Upcoming Events!
Thursday · September 18 · 7pm
Rob Fowler to speak on Hurricane Hugo
at Sunrise Presbyterian Church
Battery Gadsden Cultural Center is pleased and honored to host Rob Fowler as our first speaker for the '25-'26 program year. Rob has been the Lowcountry's Chief Meteorologist at WCBD News 2 since 1987. He was named “Meteorologist of the Year” by the National Weather Association for his coverage of Hurricane Hugo in September of 1989. Having lived through Hugo and reported on it extensively, no one could be better qualified to look back 36 years and tell us what it was like to experience the most devastating storm to strike our area in centuries. This is a presentation you will not want to miss!
A SPECIAL NOTE:
Since Rob is on the air at 6pm, this presentation will start at 7pm, at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, 3222 Middle St. on Sullivan's Island.
As always, BGCC's speaker series is free and open to the public.
Thursday · September 25 · 8-9:30am
Coffee with the Chiefs
at the Co-Op, 2019 Middle Street
It’s time for another opportunity to get to know your Sullivan’s Island Police Department and the men who lead it. Shortly after Chief Glenn Meadows and Assistant Chief Monty Anders took over the reins of SIPD, an event was held at the Co-Op giving Islanders a chance to get to know these men in an informal setting, chat with them and discuss public safety concerns. Few residents took advantage of that opportunity, but Battery Gadsden Cultural Center believes it’s time to try again.
In addition to meeting Chief Meadows and Assistant Chief Anders, newly promoted Lt. Elias Shaffer will join us.
Chief Meadows has over 40 years of experience in law enforcement, including with Newport News, Virginia. He’s also served three tours in Iraq and six tours in Afghanistan in a civilian Rule of Law advisory capacity. He also served as a SWAT instructor for the State Department's International Global Anti-Terrorism Assistance Program.
Assistant Chief Anders served over 6 yrs. in the United States Navy working in submarines. He started in law enforcement in 1994 when he enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police. He then worked for over 5 years with the Selinsgrove Borough Police Dept. He has previously worked as a 911 Dispatcher and was also a volunteer Fire Fighter for over 25 years.
Lt. Shaffer serves as the Patrol Commander for the Sullivan’s Island Police Department, overseeing all uniformed patrol operations and the day-to-day supervision of both the department’s sworn and unsworn personnel. With more than 14 years of public safety experience spanning law enforcement, the fire department, and 911 communications, Lt. Shaffer has built a reputation for decisive leadership and innovative problem-solving. His leadership during a major multi-agency critical incident in 2025 earned him the department’s highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award.
We are extremely lucky to have police leaders of this quality in our community. Take advantage of this opportunity to get to know them personally and learn more about law enforcement on our island. Drop in before heading off to work or the other parts of your day. Have a cup of coffee and a conversation with the chiefs. You won’t regret taking time to meet these outstanding men!
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How Will Sullivan’s Island Celebrate Our Nation’s 250th Anniversary? We Need YOU!
April 19, 2025 will mark the 250th anniversary of the “shot heard ‘round the world,” and the opening armed conflict of the American Revolution, our war for independence that ultimately lasted for eight years.
In 2016 the U.S. Congress established the U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission and the America250 Foundation to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. The enabling legislation went further and designated four communities as “Signature Cities,” Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Charleston! That’s no surprise. By the time of the Revolution, South Carolina was the most prosperous of the original 13 colonies. The per capita wealth in Charlestown was five times that of Boston. Ultimately, there were more battles and skirmishes fought in South Carolina than in any other state. The Battle of Sullivan’s Island on June 28, 1776, alone stymied the British designs on the southern colonies for another four years. And it was fought six days before the adoption of the Declaration of Independence.
Following the formation of America250 each state was tasked with forming its own commission. All 50 states now have such organizations including our own SC250, officially the South Carolina American Revolution Sestercentennial Commission, chartered by the General Assembly in 2018 to insure, “a proper observance of the Sestercentennial of the American Revolution in South Carolina.” In turn, each South Carolina county was encouraged to form their own steering committee, resulting in SC250 Charleston.
Our town council tapped Battery Gadsden Cultural Center to be the liaison between the town and SC250 Charleston. BGCC president, Mike Walsh, has been to two meetings of that group and attended two webinars, and the situation is clear. It’s time for Sullivan’s Island to get to work! What will the eight years of commemorating not just the Revolution, but really the entirety of what this great nation has become over the past two and a half centuries look like in our community? And we’re not just talking about Carolina Day and July 4, 2026. We’re not just talking about people dressing up in three-cornered hats and powdered wigs. This is not just fireworks and hot dogs. We are celebrating Americana… American culture in the broadest sense, keeping in mind those communities that are often underrepresented or marginalized. And for this project to have the eight year longevity it deserves, we must involve our youth.
Recently a dozen folks with creative minds gathered at town hall to begin this discussion. The brainstorming session was very productive and included representatives from town government, the arts community, educators, community service organizations, and islanders at large. But we need more. We need your input. I’ll try to keep you informed as this project progresses, but in the meantime if anyone has thoughts about how the 250th anniversary of this great nation of ours should be celebrated locally, please send them to batterygadsden@gmail.com. And please visit SC250Charleston.org to learn more and see all the many enthusiastic groups already hard at work on this important commemoration.
Your Opinion
Your opinion matters when it comes to our programming. What would you like to see in the way of programs and activities? Our Board of Directors would love to hear from you about any topic, but especially new ideas for programming. This becomes especially important as we see the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding rapidly approaching. BGCC is serving as the liaison between the town and SC250 Charleston, the local planning committee for all events we hope to have happen between 2025 and 2033, covering eight years of celebration, the same length of time as the American Revolution. If you're not familiar with the work of this group or its parent organizations, America250 and SC250, be sure to check our their websites. The goals of this group are very similar to BGCC's: preserving our shared history, providing inclusive events and programs, and bettering the fabric of our communities. Please be in touch with us regarding your ideas.
Our Purpose
Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, a non-profit established in 1992, seeks to share the rich history of Sullivan's Island through lectures and performances. We hope to create a museum of the civilian life of Sullivan's Island. We host community events and wish to serve as a showcase for artists, lecturers, musicians, and performers.
Our local publication, "Sullivan's Island Magazine," wrote about us in its Winter-Spring 2018-2019 issue. Click here to read an article about the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center.
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Throughout the year we organize and sponsor a variety of events... Carolina Day, Oral History Project, Theatrical Performances, Speakers, Preservation, Art Exhibits, Book Signings, and more!
Please consider becoming a member. Our programs need your support and you will enjoy the community!
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