2009 Reunion/Biennial Meeting
The 2009 Reunion is now history.
Held 10 – 14 September 2009 at the historic Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, over 150 attendees had a great time seeing old friends and making new friends. Special
thanks to our planning committee chairman, Kevin O'Shea. Everything went like clockwork! Following is the
original brochure information in case you want to read about reunion activities.
Located in the heart of the historic
district of Charleston, the Francis Marion was the largest and most elegant of hotels in the Carolinas when it opened in 1924.
Re-opened in 1996 after a $12 million renovation, the Francis Marion offers one of the most elegant hotel experiences
in Charleston and easy access to its many sites and fine dining experiences. Listed as one of the Historic
Hotels of America by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the Francis Marion is truly a grand hotel.
A block of
rooms have been reserved at the special daily rate of $139 for association members and reservations can be made now by calling
(877) 756-2121 or (843) 722-0600. Reservations must be made by Tuesday, 11 August 2009, to receive this
rate.
We
are planning on several free-time activities. They include:
Evening
Dinner Cruise
Enjoy
a delightful evening cruise through Charleston Harbor aboard the vessel, “The Spirit of Carolina.”
This leisurely twilight cruise will offer you a wonderful chance to see the lights of Charleston and her beautiful
skyline from the water. Cocktails will be offered upon arrival and dinner will be served in the reserved
mezzanine area of the second deck of the boat. A jazz band will entertain throughout the evening.
For further information, go to www.spiritlinecruises.com/dinner_overview.asp.
$43.95
per person plus 21% gratuity and 8.5% tax.
Historic Charleston
Carriage Tour
Horse-drawn
carriages will pick you up at the hotel and take you on a tour through the streets of historic Charleston.
This is the most popular way to see the magnificent mansions along the Battery overlooking Charleston harbor, Rainbow
Row and the cobblestone street of Charleston. The carriages will drop you off at the Nathaniel Russell
House. This superior example of Adam style architecture was built shortly before 1809.
The astonishing flying staircase spirals unsupported from floor to floor and the tier of beautiful south rooms
have elliptical plans, complemented by gleaming old silver, fine china, flowers, and some of the finest examples of furniture
of the period. Private guides will meet the group at the Nathaniel Russell house and offer a delightful
private introduction to Charleston with a walking tour of the historic district lead by registered guides. The
city’s rich history, beautiful gardens and striking architecture will be seen and discussed. The
tour will end in the Market area, where there are many shops, restaurants and a large open air Market.
$50.00 per person.
Fort
Sumter
This National Monument, administered
by the National Park Service, is located on a small man-made island at the entrance to Charleston Harbor.
It is accessible only by boat and once on the island you can visit an excellent museum containing priceless exhibits.
Union soldiers occupied strategic Fort Sumter which the South demanded be vacated. The North refused
and on April 12th, 1861 from nearby Fort Johnson, South Carolina troops of the Confederacy fired on the Fort.
This started the two day bombardment that resulted in the surrender of Fort Sumter by Union soldiers.
After an introduction by a Park Ranger, you will be free to wonder throughout the Fort. For
more information, go to www.spiritlinecruises.com/sumter_overview.asp.
$35.00
per person.
Patriots Point
The Patriots Point maritime museum
is home to the aircraft carrier, Yorktown (CV-10), the tenth carrier to serve in the United States Navy. She
served in the Vietnam War and recovered the Apollo 8 astronauts. In addition, Patriots Point is home to
the diesel powered submarine, Clamagore, the destroyer, Laffey, the Coast Guard cutter, Ingham, and the Medal of Honor
Society National Headquarters and exhibit. Vintage military aircraft and weapons are also on display.
Additional information can be found at www.patriotspoint.org.
$35.00
per person.
Middleton Place
One of several historic plantations along
the Ashley River, Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark and was home to Henry Middleton, a president of the
First Continental Congress. Its 60-acre gardens are America’s oldest formal landscaped
gardens and are based on the principles of André Le Nôtre, who designed the gardens at the Palace of Versailles.
Until 1865, the garden was nurtured and embellished by Henry’s son, Arthur, a signer of the Declaration
of Independence; his son, Governor Henry Middleton, U.S. Minister to Russia; and his son Williams, who signed the South Carolina
Ordinance of Secession. The stable yards at Middleton Place, complete with a blacksmith, potter, carpenter,
and weaver, demonstrate the tasks necessary to sustain an 18th century plantation. Agricultural
displays, together with horses and mules, hogs and milking cows, sheep, goats and guinea hens, bring to life the rice era.
The
house museum will also be open for touring. Built in 1755 as a gentlemen’s wing, the house became
the family residence after the plantation was burned during the Civil War. Guided tours interpret the Middletons’
vital role in American history. Collections include portraits by Benjamin West and Thomas Sully, Charleston
rice beds, fine silver and rare first editions by Catesby and Audubon. The gift shop at Middleton Place
offers an array of items including crafts made on the plantation as well as estate jewelry. More information
can be found at www.middletonplace.org.
$59.00
per person.
