University of South Carolina Beaufort opens Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center to preserve Lowcountry maritime history
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Summary
The University of South Carolina Beaufort opened the Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center in Beaufort County, honoring artist Jonathan Green’s career and highlighting Gullah Geechee maritime knowledge, academic partnerships, and plans for exhibitions and community programming.
The University of South Carolina Beaufort on April 5 dedicated the Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center, a new museum and research space named for the artist Jonathan Green that the university says will preserve and celebrate the maritime traditions and cultural history of the Lowcountry and the Gullah Geechee community.
"This center celebrates the maritime traditions, artistic heritage, and cultural legacy of the Lowcountry and the Sea Islands," the event host said in welcoming remarks, describing the center as a place "where art, history, scholarship, and community come together." The program included the Parris Island Honor Guard, the Parris Island Marine Band and readings, presentations and remarks from university leaders, elected officials and cultural partners.
University of South Carolina President Michael Amiridis said the center offers "a window to a very important story" and argued that universities play a role in stewarding community memory and scholarship. "Storytelling preserves our cultural heritage, builds emotional connections, and strives to bridge our differences," Amiridis said.
Harris Pastides, distinguished president emeritus of the university, recounted Beaufort’s history and said the center addresses a longstanding gap in documenting maritime accomplishments by African and African-diasporic communities: "This initiative ... is much more than a museum. It corrects a gap that has existed for our culture for thousands of years," Pastides said.
Brig. Gen. Terrence Adams presented a military recognition to Jonathan Green, noting Green’s Vietnam-era service and awards. Adams cited Green’s service dates and said the National Defense Service Medal had been awarded for his active-duty service. "In recognition of his faithful and honorable military service," Adams said, the certificate honors Green’s dedication and sacrifice.
State Sen. Margie Bright-Matthews praised the naming of the center and said she had urged state recognition for Green, including recommending him for the Order of the Palmetto. Speakers also highlighted the museum’s educational purpose: Sakila Nzinga of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago called Green’s work "a space for witnessing and testimony" that helps students and communities see themselves represented.
Dr. Kim C. Long, director of the new center, described water and maritime life as structural knowledge for the Gullah Geechee people and said the center will combine collections, scholarship and interpretation to support rigorous study of African maritime histories. She closed by thanking the many staff, volunteers and donors who helped create the center and by inviting the community to contribute time, talent and financial support.
Following the dedication, guests were invited to an open house at the Jonathan Green Maritime Cultural Center, located and announced during the ceremony at 1211 Herring Street (parking in the gravel lot). The program listed upcoming exhibitions, community programs and a continued partnership with academic and cultural institutions.
The dedication featured poetry and musical selections and concluded with logistical directions for visitors to attend the open house immediately after the ceremony.
