After this weekend and seeing the dress in person as well as spending time in the Old Exchange Building, I just couldn't wait to share what I have planned for upcoming blogs. As many of you know, I already have several programs featuring Women and the American Revolution. I love traveling to the chapters in both South Carolina as well as North Carolina to share their fascinating stories and their contributions during the American Revolution! After hearing these programs, there is a new appreciation and realization that without these women and what they did, the war would have never been won. It took more than battles and bullets for our nation to be born. I feel that I am the voice of these women, and I want what they have to say to be shared with as many people as will allow me to share their work and their stories! However, what I share in my programs is just the tip of the iceberg of these amazing women; therefore, I want to learn more and share that information with you through my blog.
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| Penelope Padgett Barker |
First, I will be traveling to Edenton, North Carolina to do a feature on Penelope Padgett Barker and the Edenton Tea Party. Most do not know that there were other tea parties around the colonies besides the Boston Tea Party. What made this event so significant was that even though political resistance was common throughout the colonies in response to the different Acts being passed by British Parliament, an organized women's movement was not. This movement sent shock waves through the Western world.
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| home of Penelope Padgett Barker |
I am looking forward to traveling to Edenton and being hosted by the North Carolina Daughters of Edenton as I learn in more depth of these women's efforts. A special thank you goes out to Suzanne Bartels for her assistance in making this possible. I can't wait to learn more and share this with you.
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| Edenton Tea Party tea pot |
I am also looking forward to learning more about Rebecca Motte and traveling to different sites connected with her. Rebecca Motte's sacrifice during the American Revolution was even featured on a piece of the battleship silver of the USS South Carolina which is now housed at the Governor's Mansion under the custodianship of the SCDAR.
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| standing in front of Rebecca Motte's portrait in the Rebecca Motte Room of the Old Exchange |
Those who attended the tea I arranged at the Governor's Mansion as part of the SCDAR's 125th anniversary celebration had the privilege of seeing that piece and the other pieces in person.
Seeing the actual dress of Eliza Lucas Pinckney this past weekend was absolutely special! I can't wait to share her story as well as information on the artifacts of hers in the Charleston Museum.
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| shoe belonging to Eliza Lucas Pinckney |
Another female whose patriot status was just recently proven in the DAR is Eliza Wilkinson. Once again, SCDAR's own Katie Hyman was able to prove her service during the American Revolution. This Eliza represents the many women who gave service whose story is either not well known or not known at all. I look forward to bringing her story to light and only wish that I could bring the story of every woman who gave service during the American Revolution to light. As I point out in my programs, we will never know how many women aided in the victory against Britain and the establishment of our nation.
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| an actual letter in Eliza Wilkinson's handwriting |
Finally, I look forward to sharing the history of the Old Exchange with you as well. This building has so much historical significance. As Constitution Week approaches, it is interesting to note that the Old Exchange is one of just a few buildings in the original 13 colonies that remains standing where the Constitution was ratified.
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| a scene during the tour of the dungeon of the Old Exchange |
