Several iconic movies have used the beautiful Beaufort, South Carolina, as their back drop. This scenic coastal town has been used in coming of age films to war movies and everything in between. Here is a look at 5 iconic films in American cinema that were filmed in or around Beaufort, South Carolina including some notable honorable mentions.
Click each film link for a trailer:
1. Forrest Gump (1994): Filmed at locations like Hunting Island State Park, Fripp Island, University of South Carolina Beaufort, and Bay Street.
2. The Big Chill (1983): Shot in Beaufort’s historic district, with the famous Tidalholm Mansion featured prominently.
3. The Prince of Tides (1991): Starring Nick Nolte, filmed in various Beaufort locations including the Beaufort River and Fripp Island.
4. The Great Santini (1979): Based on Pat Conroy’s novel, filmed at the Marine Corps Air Station and Tidalholm Mansion.
5. G.I. Jane (1997): Survival camp scenes were shot on Harbor Island and Hunting Island.
Named one of the greatest places to visit in 2024 by Time, The International African American Museum in Charleston, South Carolina is a journey into our past with the goal of continuing the right conversations to pave the way for future generations to learn, inspire and educate.
This museum offers a multi-media approach to storytelling and reflection. Its carefully curated rooms and hallways with a beautiful backdrop of the Charleston Harbor offers an experience unlike any other.
Why an annual membership?
A membership is an ideal option because each visit is a new learning experience and the rates are affordable to all.
There is one for South Carolina residents that is truly remarkable: South Carolina Resident Family Plan. For $99.00 a year, 2 adults and up to 6 youths in the same household can enjoy the general membership benefits all year long. That pays for itself in one visit.
Below are all the options and a link to purchase your plan today.
Click HERE to look at all membership options and purchase today.
Johnny Jackson, a senior at Ridgewood High School in New Jersey, is battling stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma while excelling in basketball. Diagnosed after persistent fatigue and a misdiagnosis of mono, he has undergone 12 rounds of chemotherapy. Despite this, he broke his school’s all-time scoring record and surpassed 2,000 career points this season. His resilience inspires many as he continues to lead his team and pursue a sectional championship.
Five days ago, Johnny continued his powerful journey with 28 points in a win over Paterson Charter at the Mel Henderson Memorial Classic.
Is the excitement beginning to set in? New Riverside will soon have a new playground! Here are a few sneak peeks of this beautiful new playground area.
Join the Town of Bluffton to celebrate the New Riverside Park Playground grand opening on January 25, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. An interactive children’s show by Jevon Daly will start at 11:00 AM. Snacks will be provided courtesy of the Town.
Location: 200 New Riverside Road, Bluffton, South Carolina
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster announced today that his December 13, 2024, request for a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to provide federal aid to supplement state and local recovery efforts following severe November flooding in Bamberg, Calhoun, and Orangeburg Counties has been approved.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Public Assistance program aid for Bamberg, Calhoun, and OrangeburgCounties. The program provides reimbursement to governmental agencies and certain nonprofits that were affected by the severe storms and flooding of November 6-14, 2024. The assistance can help cover costs for debris removal, emergency protective measures, public buildings and equipment, public utilities, and more. For additional information about FEMA’s Public Assistance program, click here.
The declaration also approves Hazard Mitigation Grant Program assistance, which makes cost-shared funding available to the state for approved projects that reduce or mitigate future disaster risks. Funds under this program will be available to state agencies, local governments, and certain nonprofit organizations only. A wide variety of potential projects are eligible. For more information about FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant program,click here.
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) will conduct applicant briefings to inform potential applicants of the assistance available and how to apply. Applicants then file a Request for Public Assistance (RPA) and identify damage that resulted from the disaster. FEMA determines eligibility for reimbursement after state review. SCEMD will manage Public Assistance funds received from FEMA. This includes disbursing the funds to the applicant.
The governor’s request for FEMA Individual Assistance, which provides help to individuals and households, is still under review.
TikTok is preparing to shut down the U.S. version of its app Sunday, the day a law mandating its divestiture or removal from American app stores goes into effect, The Information reports, citing anonymous sources. Unless the Supreme Court intervenes, users who open TikTok will see a message linking to information about the ban. Until now, the presumption has been that existing users might still have access to TikTok until it degraded beyond usability.
SWANNNANOA, N.C. (WLOS) — The nonprofit Beloved Asheville is working to find shelter for those who have lost everything from Helene.
Their latest project is in Swannanoa, where they’re building a village of deeply affordable homes.
Beloved Asheville plans for at least 15 homes in the Swannanoa village.
The nonprofit recently purchased almost 9 acres of land, in a non-flood zone, to develop the village.
Amy Cantrell, Beloved Asheville Co-Director, said that it’s very powerful to talk about rebuilding in the wake of Helene.
She said that it’s especially powerful because they’re building the village across from the hardest-hit area in Swannanoa.
Cantrell said deeply affordable means that they’re going to be affordable for those who lost everything.
Co-Director Ponkho Bermejo said that there are so many families in that area who lost their homes, so they’re building a place where those families can stay.
“As Swannanoa neighbors, this is a very powerful moment of healing and saying we will rebuild,” Cantrell said.
“It’s going to be families, it’s going to be kids, we’re going to have a playground here for kids,” Ponkho said.
This isn’t the non-profit’s only project; they’ve also just built a dozen homes in an East Asheville village.
“Our hearts have been broken, we’ve lost so many people, we’ve seen families that have lost literally everything. We’ve walked with them,” Cantrell said.
Cantrell said that she wants these homes to be affordable for generations to come, with their target market being families that make between 15% to 50% of the area median income.
“Those that are struggling the most, from elders on fixed incomes, and families that are struggling just to keep a roof over their heads to folks who are essential workers in our community,” Cantrell said.
Ponkho said that includes people who work in restaurants, people that work in hotels, people who used to live in mobile homes that lost everything and now are currently living in cars or living in tents or RVs.
Cantrell said that this village marks a promise and hope.
“We are going to rise from the ground from these ashes, from these floodwaters,” Cantrell said.
All of this is made possible by community donations, and Cantrell said the more they receive the more villages they can continue to build.
“People that have construction skills, people that have building materials, we’ve had folks reach out to us about appliances and cabinets and flooring,” she added.
Cantrell said that they’ve walked with people through this tragedy and they’re going to celebrate with them again.
“We were here before and we’ll be here for the long haul,” she said.
Named after her late cousin Farrah Turner, Alexis Turner took at dream, her Geechie heritage and a passion for the culinary arts and launched Farrah’s Backyard Catering. With 20 years experience, a charm and smile to light up any room and a deep commitment to quality and excellence, Alexis is on a path to success while helping develop an appreciation for the food that has been part of her family lineage for generations.
To meet Alexis is an absolute delight. Her food is only second to her warmth. We are thrilled to share her local business and journey with you.
Please take time to learn and appreciate Farrah’s Backyard Catering and Alexis Mungin.
About Alexis Mungin, owner of Farrah’s Backyard Catering LLC
Alexis had one goal in mind: to bring families back to the table. Alexis comes from a long line of cooks and grill masters. She has perfected her skills in the kitchen for over 20 years. She’s a wife, mother to four beautiful children and teacher. Her passion for community and family inspired her menu and passion to serve others comforting and delicious meals. Alexis’ focus is to ensure that you’re able to spend more time with your family and less time in the kitchen.
Charleston, South Carolina – January 14, 2025 – The Charleston Symphony (CSO) is thrilled to announce it has been approved by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)for a Grants for Arts Projects award of $30,000. This grant will support the Charleston Symphony Inclusion Fellowship program. The NEA will award 1,127 Grants for Arts Projects awards nationwide totaling more than $31.8 million as part of the recent announcement of fiscal year 2025 grants.
“The NEA is proud to continue our nearly 60 years of supporting the efforts of organizations and artists that help to shape our country’s vibrant arts sector and communities of all types across our nation,” said NEA Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, PhD. “It is inspiring to see the wide range of creative projects taking place, including the Charleston Symphony’s Inclusion Fellowship program.”
“We are deeply honored to receive support from the NEA for our Fellowship program,” said Michael Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Charleston Symphony. “This grant will empower us to continue breaking down barriers, creating opportunities, and ensuring that the future of classical music is more accessible to everyone.”
The Charleston Symphony Inclusion Fellowship (CSIF) is a professional development and mentorship program rooted in the belief that the future of classical music and arts administration should reflect the richness and diversity of the communities we serve. Established in 2021, the fellowship was designed to create meaningful opportunities for up to seven talented individuals who may have experienced limited access to these fields due to systemic barriers such as race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status. CSIF is a two-year intensive program offering immersive tracks in orchestral performance and executive management. Along with acclaimed performance opportunities with the Charleston Symphony on the stage and in the community, Fellows participate in professional development and enrichment workshops such as inclusive leadership, public speaking, health and wellness, and career advancement. The program is dedicated to promoting artistic and personal growth, fostering collaboration, and celebrating the unique perspectives, skills, and contributions of each Fellow while helping to shape a more accessible and inclusive future for symphonic music and arts administration.
The CSO’s mission is to inspire and engage our community through exceptional musical experiences and educational offerings. The orchestra serves the greater Charleston community by presenting over 150 events annually featuring Masterworks and Pops series at the Gaillard Center, outreach events, a range of education and family experiences, and free performances. Founded in 1936, the artistic vision of the CSO is to perform and present the highest quality music, and to engage and enrich people of all ages, race, or economic status by exploring, experiencing, and creating classical music.
With an annual budget exceeding $5 million, the organization relies on philanthropic support to cover 55% of annual operating expenses. The CSO employs 24 full-time salaried core musicians and supplements the core with a robust roster of the highest caliber professional musicians from around the country.
A luxury resort hotel right in the middle of Sullivan’s Island? And with a casino, performance hall and its own sources of water and natural gas? Yes, this actually happened.
Built in 1884, the New Brighton Hotel rivaled any resort on the East Coast at the time. Its existence was intended to spur the dawn of a new era, a post-Civil War identity that capitalized on tourism. The site between Station 22 and 22½ was donated by the town of Moultrieville for that purpose, and the 11-acre tract was given the alluring name “Ocean Park.” Boston businessman J.F. Burnham, “a Northern gentleman of means,” paid construction costs and owned the buildings for more than a decade. The ownership changed hands in 1896 when the McCullough family of Columbia bought the property and renamed it the Atlantic Beach Hotel.
The New Brighton was not the first hotel on Sullivan’s Island. Even before the Civil War, the village of Moultrieville was one of the most popular summer resorts in the United States, with several boarding houses and a well-known hotel called the Moultrie House. But the concept of luring wealthy northerners took on new importance after the war, and the region’s struggling economy yearned for the attention. At the time, The News and Courier reported that “the public may rest assured that Charleston will become the great summer resort of the South.” Hundreds of local jobs were created with the New Brighton’s construction alone, and, as an incentive for investment, the hotel’s owner was exempt from paying property taxes for the first five years.
Atlanticville, as the middle of the island was then known, was on the outskirts of the island’s established residential area, so there was plenty of room for the multiple buildings that comprised the resort. Besides the grand, 112-room hotel, with its Victorian turrets and towers, there were several two-story guest cottages, each with eight to 10 rooms equipped with “speaking tubes” so guests could contact the hotel’s office. The resort’s property ran from the ocean front to the “back beach,” with horse stables and fowl houses at the far rear of the compound. A private rail line for use by guests only ran to the hotel from the ferry at the southern point of the island.
The main building sat on 7-foot-high brick pillars. A 65,000-gallon cistern and a wine cellar made of solid brick were at ground level. Dormer windows and a mansard-style roof topped off the three-story structure. The hotel’s interior design took full advantage of the prevailing sea breeze, using wide hallways to keep the air circulating and second-story rooms with French doors that opened onto private balconies. The dining room, on the first floor, was kept cool with its 18 windows and 15-foot ceiling. A wide veranda facing the ocean ran the entire 120-foot length of the building.
The hotel’s furnishings were extravagant, and guests had the modern conveniences of gas lighting and electric bells in their rooms to summon the front desk. The lavish garden behind the hotel was trimmed with Bermuda grass, ornamental trees and shrubbery, emulating prominent resorts in the North. Roy Williams, author and long-time islander, believes even the Brighton Hotel’s name was meant to evoke the image of “the most fashionable resort in England.”
The casino, in a separate building facing what is now I’On Avenue, featured private billiard rooms, pool rooms and saloons. Additional guest rooms were on the floor above. A performance hall with a seating capacity for 500 featured nationally-acclaimed entertainers, including the renowned Reaves American Band and the Vienna Female Orchestra. Because of the first-class entertainment, Charleston residents were among the patrons of the performances. In fact, one advertisement in the local newspaper informed Charlestonians that they could take the ferry over to the island, enjoy a performance and return home that evening for much the same cost as attending one at the popular Academy of Music downtown.
Two bathhouses – one for men and one for women – were on the premises. Since most people did not own bathing suits in those days, they were provided for guests. A wooden walkway led out to the beach so guests wouldn’t have to climb over the sand dunes to get to the ocean.
The hotel survived several hurricanes but met its demise in a fire in January 1925. By then, it was operating as the less illustrious Atlantic Beach Hotel. Legend has it that a bootlegger who was searching the bushes near the casino for his hidden supply accidentally ignited the brush, causing a fire that spread to the main building and cottages.
By that time, the allure of Sullivan’s Island’s main attraction had faded, due in large part to the popularity of newer resorts in Florida. But standing on the wide beach today, with the dunes and lush maritime forests at your back, it’s not too hard to imagine the excitement experienced by guests of the New Brighton Hotel.
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