Historic Information for Charleston Tour Guides, 1964–1985

Scope and Content

This collection consists of four manuals for tour guides of Historic Charleston, including: Lectures for Guides (1964), Lectures for Guides (1973), Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1975), and Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1985).

Lectures for Guides (1964) is a collection of individual lectures on topics germane to Charleston historic tourism, as well as a subject outline and general introduction to Charleston history. The lectures are primarily focused on specific streets and the historic buildings found thereon, but also include information about harbor forts, botanical information, historic markers, and miscellaneous data. The lectures are heavily annotated by the original owner, Elizabeth Stallworth, and contain newspaper clippings and other ephemera. Each lecture is individually paginated.

Lectures for Guides (1973) is an updated version of the Lectures for Guides (1964). The majority of the information remains the same, however the 1973 version also contains: an expanded introduction, copy of the Crisp map, overview of the Streets of Charleston, more complete sections on Ansonborough and Broad Street, and more miscellaneous data. The lectures are annotated by Elizabeth Stallworth and contain newspaper clippings and other ephemera. Each lecture is individually paginated.

Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1975) is a reworking of the earlier Lectures for Guides. The information provided is more extensive than in the previous incarnations and covers a greater range of subjects. The differences include: essays on various historical topics, historic suburbs section, and expanded Streets section. The guide is lightly annotated by Elizabeth Stallworth and contains some ephemera. The information is presented as a unified text with continuous pagination.

Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1985) is the most recent version of the city's handbook for historic tour guides. This version retained several of the essays from the 1975 edition, but also has several others on topics such as black Charlestonians, historic preservation, and conservation easements. Citation information is given for most of the entries, and a bibliography is provided. This is an incomplete copy, as it is missing the section covering individual streets and structures.

Administrative/Biographical History

In 1952 and 1954, the Historical Commission presented a series of lectures for guides of historic Charleston. At the conclusion of each course, an examination was given, which could lead to official tour guide accreditation. Examinations were also given in years in which the course was not available, including 1955 and 1956.¹ When the course was once again offered in 1964, it was taught using materials compiled from the notes of Mary A. Sparkman, longtime secretary of the Historical Commission.

In 1972, City Council decided it was time once again to provide an instructional course for historic tour guides. This eight-week course was scheduled for 01 January to 28 February of 1973. Marguerite C. Steedman was chosen as the instructor, with Mrs. Joseph R. Young assisting. In addition to teaching the course, Ms. Steedman also updated the instructional materials previously used. Initially, the Special Committee appointed to study this topic suggested that all individuals wishing to receive a tour guide license must take the course and pass the terminal examination. After further consideration, Council agreed that anyone having successfully completed the course in its previous incarnations should still attend at least 80 percent of the course sessions, but need not take the final exam. ²

In 1975, the Commission on Arts and History was formed, superseding the Historical Commission. In that year, the new commission requested an updating and reprinting of the notes for historic tour guides, to which City Council agreed. Robert P. Stockton updated the materials and gathered them into one cohesive text. The City of Charleston Tourism Commission requested a further update in the spring of 1984. Mr. Stockton once more served as editor on the project, with contributions by Elizabeth H. Alston and Mary Martha Blalock. This text, completed in 1985, still serves as the educational material for tour guides of historic Charleston.³

¹ Records of the Historical Commission of Charleston, 1933–1956. Annual Reports. Mss collection at the Charleston Archive, Charleston County Public Library.

² Journal of the City Council of Charleston, South Carolina 1971–1975. pp. 183, 186, 259.

³ Information for Guides of Historic Charleston. Introduction. 1985.

Related Archival Materials

Records of the Historical Commission of Charleston, 1933–1956

Acquisition

This is an artificial collection created by the staff of the Charleston Archive. The Lectures for Guides (1964), Lectures for Guides (1973), and Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1975) were originally owned by Elizabeth Stallworth, who donated them to Jane Thornhill. Ms. Thornhill then transferred the materials to the Charleston Archive at the Charleston County Public Library. To these materials was added Information for Guides of Historic Charleston (1985), which was already in the possession of the Charleston Archive.

Collection Outline

Folder 1: Lectures for Guides (1964) [# of pages]

Outline [8]

Introduction [9]

Anson St. [1]

Archdale St. [5]

Ashley Ave. [3]

Atlantic St. [1]

Beaufain St. [2]

Broad St. [7]

Calhoun St. [8]

Cannon St. [1]

Chalmers St. [4]

Church St. [6]

Columbus St. [1/2]

Coming St. [1/2]

Cumberland St. [2]

East Battery [2]

East Bay St. [4]

Franklin St. [1/2]

Gibbes St. [1/2]

Glebe St. [3]

George St. [3]

Grove, Laurens, Orange, Pitt, and Queen Sts. [2]

Streets of Harlestonboro [4]

Hasell St. [4]

King St. [3]

Legare St. [3]

Magazine St. [1]

Meeting St. [14]

Murray Blvd. [2]

Rutledge Ave. [6]

Society St. [1/2]

St. Michael's Alley [1/2]

Stoll's Alley [1/2]

South Battery [3]

"The Battery" or White Point Garden [3]

Tradd St. [4]

Streets of Wraggborough [3]

Harbor Forts [5]

Markers [18]

Miscellaneous Data [9]

Cobblestones

Church Services Timed by the Tides

Earthquake Bolts and Rods

Firemarks

Garden Club Walk

Homes for the Aged and Needy

Indian Names

Negroes

Rebellion Roads

South Carolina Gamecock

The Swamp Fox

State Bird, Flower, Motto, Tree

Marine Hospital

Flowers, Shrubs and Trees [12]

Folder 2

Lectures for Guides (1973) [# of pages]

Foreward [1]

Introduction [35]

Crisp map [1]

The Streets of Charleston [4]

Ansonborough [11]

Archdale St. [5]

Ashley Ave. [3]

Atlantic St. [1]

"The Battery" or White Point Garden [3]

Beaufain St. [2]

Broad St. [20]

Calhoun St. [9]

Cannon St. [1]

Chalmers St. [4]

Church St. [6]

Columbus St. [1/2]

Coming St. [1/2]

Cumberland St. [2]

East Battery [2]

East Bay St. [4]

Franklin St. [1]

George St. [3]

Gibbes St. [1]

Glebe St. [3]

Grove, Lauens, Orange, Pitt and Queen Sts. [1]

Streets of Harlestonboro [4]

Hasell St. [4]

King St. [3]

Legare St. [3]

Magazine St. [1]

Meeting St. [14]

Murray Blvd. [2]

Rutledge Ave. [6]

Society St. [1/2]

South Battery [3]

St. Michael's Alley [1/2]

Stoll's Alley [1/2]

Tradd St. [4]

Streets of Wraggborough [3]

Markers [18]

Harbor Forts [5]

Miscellaneous Data [42]

Early Charles Towne - Topography, Climate, etc.

Charleston's Old Streets

Cobblestones

Church Services Timed by the Tides

Earthquake Bolts and Rods

Fire Marks

Garden Club Walk

Charitable and Benevolent Institutions

Indian Names

Negroes

Rebellion Road

South Carolina Gamecock

The Swamp Fox

State Bird, Flower, Motto, Tree

Marine Hospital

Translations of Latin Mottoes Often Seen in Charleston

Charleston Today

Flowers, Shrubs and Trees [12]

Folder 3

Folder 4