COLUMBIA, S.C. (July 27, 2015) -- More teachers in South Carolina can learn how to incorporate certain historic sites into their lesson plans, thanks to the publication this month of the updated “2015 Teacher’s Guide to African American Historic Places in South Carolina.”

The guide describes more than 400 slave houses, archaeological sites, homes, schools, churches, factories and other locations that span the history of South Carolina, from settlement to modern day. Highlighted are places like the Cigar Factory on Charleston’s East Bay Street, where the civil rights anthem “We Shall Overcome” was first sung, and the granite ruins of West Columbia’s Saluda Factory, which, built in the 1830s, was one of the first textile plants in the state and was operated by slave labor.

For each of those properties, the guide illuminates appropriate state curriculum standards in social studies, English/language arts and the visual and performing arts, as well as the corresponding time periods. All properties are either listed on the National Register of Historic Places and/or designated with a South Carolina historical marker.

The guide was produced by the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Education and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History. A copy was presented last week to State Superintendent of Education Molly Spearman, who called it a “treasured resource” that she will promote and share with educators.

Printed versions of the guide are available to teachers through the S.C. Department of Education or online at the S.C. Dept. of Archives & History State Historic Preservation Office website at http://shpo.sc.gov/pubs/Documents/TGAAHPfull.pdf.
 
For more information about the guide, contact Jannie Harriot at scaaheritagefound@gmail.com or 843-332-3589.

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