Dataw Island, SC (April 19, 2016) - Twelve thousand years of local history goes on display today at Dataw Island as the Dataw Historic Foundation (DHF) stages the grand opening of the Dataw Island History & Learning Center. This simple yet beautiful museum will be adjacent to the early 18th century Sams Plantation Ruins Tabby Complex which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
"This building represents the first permanent home for all of Dataw's artifacts since the Alcoa Corporation began developing the community in 1983,” said Marilyn Peck, President of the DHF.
DHF plans to display the many artifacts unearthed during and since construction. Its documents and digital archives will be available as a resource to historians; as a classroom for visitors and residents and as a ‘jump off’ point for docent tours of the Sams Plantation Tabby Complex.
"Over the past 12 years DHF has fundraised tirelessly to raise the money to pay for the construction,” Peck said. “Additional funds were donated by Dataw residents, descendants of the Sams family and interested friends of the organization from the greater Beaufort community.”
Peck added that DHF is very grateful to the many volunteers and donors who believed in this project and worked so hard to see it to a successful conclusion.
“It is a happy day for history," Peck said.
About Dataw Island
Dataw Island is a gated golf community fifteen minutes outside of downtown Beaufort. The island features two recently renovated Tom Fazio and Arthur Hills golf courses, a tennis center, a Community Center with workout /massage facilities, two restaurants and croquet lawns. The community has also been ranked the number one best retirement destination in South Carolina for the past ten months by www.bestretirementdestinations.com.
