We’ve followed the adventures of John Laurens from his childhood in Charleston to the America siege of British-held Yorktown, and now we conclude this dramatic story by tracing the last ten months of his tragically short life.

This week we continue our narrative adventure through the life of John Laurens (1754–1782), with comparisons to his portrayal in the hit musical, Hamilton.

Over the past several months I’ve spoken with a number of people around Charleston, fans of the hit musical, Hamilton, who asked me what I thought of the portrayal of John Laurens in the musical—was it accurate, was it fair, and wasn’t it just so cool?

The cultivation of rice in early South Carolina had a tremendous impact on the development of Lowcountry culture and history. It inspired the forced migration of thousands of people from West Africa, created a wealthy elite, and dominated the economy and culture of our state for many generations. In an effort to raise awareness about the local story of this humble grain, I’ve assembled a list of what I consider the most significant facts about Lowcountry rice history that form the basis for our community’s shared heritage.

November 2016 marked the 250th anniversary of the first concerts of the most significant musical organization in the early history of the United States—Charleston’s St. Cecilia Society. In this episode, we’ll take quick tour of the society’s history, from its origins in 1766, through the Revolution and the War of 1812, to its final concerts in 1820.

Rather than following one large topic from beginning to end, this episode offers a bowl of Charleston alphabet soup—an A-to-Z feast of 25 short biographies profiling (mostly) obscure Charlestonians, each of whom would make a great subject for your next historical novel, screenplay, or school report.  Bon appetit!

Here’s the conclusion of our overview of notable hurricanes in the history of Lowcountry South Carolina, from the dramatic storm of 1804 to the mild passing of Matthew of 2016. Learning about these old tropical twisters will help you get in the grove for the next hurricane season, which is always just around the corner.

Hurricanes are an inescapable part of living in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, and our community has weathered quite a few storms over the past three centuries.  Join me for a look back at the most memorable and significant hurricanes to hit the shores of Charleston, from the Spanish-thwarting storm of 1686 to the battery-breaking cyclone of 1804.

Benne (or sesame) seeds are a staple ingredient of many Lowcountry dishes and desserts, but when and from where did it come to Charleston? In this episode, we’ll explore the earliest descriptions of benne cultivation and use here, and the colonial-era traditions we continue to enjoy today. South Carolina was once mad about benne, but it wasn’t just the taste that made it so important to our economy.

I’m pleased to announce the publication of my first podcast: a digital audio version of my recent “Invasion of 1706” radio program. You can listen to the program here on the Charleston Time Machine whenever you like, and soon you’ll be able to subscribe to my podcast feed through iTunes and other podcatching services.