b'Community EngagementThanks to You .YoursupportenablestheFoundationtoengagetheplace is a powerful learning tool, enhancing overall communityonmultipleissuesrelevanttoourhistory,comprehension, and often making a lasting impact, culture,livabilityandpreservation.Wepersistasagoespecially for the many children who had never toresourceforourcommunityleaders,emergingandbefore visited the Historic District or a house establishedscholars,residents,visitors,teachersandmuseum. HCF also hosted 525 students from across studentswhoseektounderstandthecomprehensivethe U.S. in the Foundations first virtual field trip.historyofthediversepeoplewhocontributedtheHCF offered five dedicated professional development Charlestonshistory.Throughourmeticulouslycuratedsessions for teachers in the Tri-County districts.archives,ourmuseumhousesandvariousannual programs such as the Charleston Antiques Show, FestivalAlmost 15,000 visitors experienced the power of of Houses and Gardens, History Matters lecture series, Artplace during the Festival of Houses and Gardens. & Architecture lectures and more, we reinforce on a dailyIntimate and personal interactions with Charlestons basis, the contemporary relevance of our mission. In 2019: architecture, material culture and history illustrated HCFs house museums attracted 84,971 visitors andthe value of historic preservation. were recognized among the vanguard of historicSince 2013, Charleston has benefited from the sites telling EVERYONEs stories by The Newtime, attention and resources of the women who York Times. In its travel section on June 30th, thepioneered and participate in the Foundations eminent publication extolled Historic CharlestonWomen Who IMPACT Preservation event, which Foundations approach to interpreting the lives ofraises funds to invest in projects identified by HCF everyone who lived and labored at the Aiken-Rhettas transformational. In 2019, the Foundation proudly and Nathaniel Russell houses. According to thehonored Thomasena Stokes-Marshall for her work in Foundation, Its critical to our understanding ofhistoric preservation. Through the African American history and societal values to tell a rich history - aSettlement Community Historic Commission, the full history - of historic sites.former Mt. Pleasant Councilwoman works tirelessly 3,336 students in grades K-12 visited HCFs museumto preserve communities. Stokes-Marshall also has houses, a significant increase from the previous year.been instrumental in the preservation of the Gullah In addition, the Foundation hosted 300 4th-gradeGeechee history, culture and tradition of Sweetgrass students for a new STEM-infused, history-basedbasket weavings and in educating the public on scavenger hunt around the peninsula and providedthe Gullah Geechee contributions to the overall extensive outreach to thousands of students throughdevelopment of America. travelling trunk education programs and schoolOver 560 research requests for historic history days. documentation material housed in The Margaretta Through generous local grant funding, HCF wasChilds Archives at HCF were fulfilled.empowered to offer 2,700 students from Title 1The Romney Urban Garden continues to bloom and schools in the Tri-County area admission assistancebuzz as a focal point of community comeraderie in (free or reduced fee). Personally experiencing athe North Central neighborhood. A hub of active HISTORIC CHARLESTON FOUNDATION 7 2019 ANNUAL REPORT'