Tuesday Block 2

Tuesday Block 2

>> what makes charleston creek unique, you might ask?

For one, it's a city that prides itself on keeping its history alive, a living relic that keeps tlc and m.

Here to tell us about that is christopher, the director of the historical society.

And betsy, the chairwoman of the board and thank you for joining us.

>> thank you for having us.

>> christopher, perfection on your new appointment.

Sworn in by the president of the united states himself.

>> he was not present for the swearing in, but it was quite an honor and really exited to get charleston a stronger voice in the preservation, and we have a lot to learn and share.

>> yes indeed.

And when i mention m, we're talking about money, and the council has something to celebrate, the centennial campaign has a lot to celebrate and tell us how much money you've raised.

>> we set out to raise $6 million and we have raised 5.5 million.

So we'll be going to the community and the members to get us across the finish line.

>> you should feel pretty good about those numbers.

>> we do, it has been a lot of work for a couple of years.

We started the planning about two years ago, and really decided that we wanted our centennial celebration not to be so much about celebrating what we have done in the past, but securing the future for this organization, so we did a lot of planning and groundwork and have been able to bring in a good bit of money before the world shut down.

>> i want to talk about where that money is going, and christopher, if you could talk about the charleston reservation society and why it's so important for our community.

>> the preservation society, obviously you only turn 100 once, and that's attesting to the value of preservation, and the society is working on everything unique about charleston, from its buildings and architecture, and also the community and what makes it thrive and that's in diverse businesses on king street.

So in charleston, we have never been busier.

With issues like sea left rise and flooding and tourism, all of these things have a constant hand at the immediately.

So we have been fort in charleston to have the legacy, and it being the incredible city that it is today, we're focused on the next 100 years and how we can hopefully look back for the 200th anniversary, and the continued success of preservation, and how we're keeping charleston not only a beautiful place, but an incredible place to live.

>> it's an outdoor museum.

And everywhere you look, there's something to really cherish, and betsy, you were saying that it's a lot of money to keep things going, and can you tell us where this money will be going?

>> i'm happy to.

And i'm going to let christopher chime in because he's the one spending it.

We settled in -- really, our approach to the campaign was going to the issues, and so the issues that we think are the biggest challenges for charleston have to do with the tour itch around us, unsustainable rate of tourism growth that has a negative in on those around us, and flooding and et cetera.

So we have several pillars to the campaign, and the first is to raise $3 million to support our advocacy staff.

And we'll be able to hire dix al staff for outreach and for technology mapping that we're going to be acquiring.

A million and a half of it will go to what we loosely refer to as a war chest, which to us means issue-specific relations campaign, and if necessary, litigation, but we always see litigation as the last resort.

And then additional monies will go to the purchase of new technology, such as gs technology, for valuable dat a and outreach technology to push that out to our members.

>> it sounds like you have a lot of supporters there who believe in your mission.

And this is a good place to take a break.

When we come back, we want to talk about the fall >> emily: we have been chatting with christopher king, the executive director in charlson, and betsy, the chairman of the board.

And you've raised about $6 million and you have more to go, but this is by people who believe in your mission.

>> we have been incredibly blessed to have tremendous support in the community and it has really sustained us for 100 years, and this is, believe it or not, our first ever campaign so, we have gone out with a message about what we see are challenges that charleston is facing and things that we truly believe can make an impact to improve the quality of lives in charleston, and our members have responded incredibly well.

But not only that, to expand the membership and work in all parts of the city.

And issues like flooding don't know one council of district from otherwise, so the response.

>> you've devoted your entire life and academic career on preserving your history.

And can you tell us about yourself?

>> i grew up as a visitor to charleston, and the city had incredible impact on me, and then connected the dots and discovered the work offing preservation, in graduate school, the first thing you learn about is charleston, because the movement started here and it was start bid the preservation society in charleston, so to be in this position now and how we frame the sex 100 years is incredible.

And we want people to look back and say they really did something good for charleston, and that's everyone that we talk to.

>> when you walk the streets of charleston and you pass building after building with the medal why not on the front and a lot of blad, sweat and tears that we want into our own preservation and our country's history.

And we'll be able to do that with a little bit more up close and personal view, and betsi, can you tell us about the call fuse coming up?

>> yes, we had the dual challenge this year, and we had the hurricane, and now we have the covid challenge, which unfortunately it seems to be sticking around for a while.

So the staff had to get creative and show their flexibility and creativeness, and as i don't have to do any of the work, i'm so proud to see this environment.

So the goal is to put our homeowners and patrons and staff farris.

>> it has required us to take a different approach.

Is education is a core part of our mission, and it's important that we don't wait another year and what we have done is come up with a series of tours that protect us with homeowners and visitors.

>> masks are required.

And social distancing is, is required and capacity is going to be limited but it's still going to be fun, no matter what.

And i highly suggest anybody to do that, because i've done it and had the best time.

And you can just be walking in the gardens and get the feel of history.

This is starting on october 7th to 9th.

And if they want tickets, where do they go.

>> go to the website.

>> christopher and betsy, thank you for joining us.

And again, congratulations.

Back after this.