Coastal Discovery Museum marks 40 years with Legends & Luminaries speaker series

The Coastal Discovery Museum is celebrating its 40th anniversary with Legends & Luminaries, a fall speaker series highlighting the people who helped shape Hilton Head Island’s cultural, business and artistic landscape.
The series runs on select Tuesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 11 in the museum’s Sea Island Room at 70 Honey Horn Drive. Each lecture costs $10 and includes wine, conversation and a question-and-answer session. Lori and David Wellinghoff are the lead sponsors.

“For the museum’s 40th anniversary, we invite the community to hear directly from people whose lives and stories reveal what life was like on Hilton Head at that time,” said Rex Garniewicz, museum president and CEO. “These conversations will be both entertaining and enlightening, and we hope they will inspire people to support our mission to care for the Lowcountry and preserve this remarkable barrier island for generations to come.”

A slate of storytellers
The series began Sept. 30 with musician Gregg Russell, who has entertained families under Harbour Town’s famed oak tree since 1977. He shared memories of his early days on Hilton Head and his friendship with developer Charles Fraser.

Other speakers include:
• David Lauderdale, Oct. 7: The longtime reporter and editor for The Island Packet and The Beaufort Gazette reflects on four decades of covering Hilton Head’s milestones and community.
• Thomas Barnwell Jr., Dr. Emory Campbell and Dr. Louise Cohen, Oct. 23: Three prominent Gullah leaders share stories of heritage and resilience.
• Ruthie Edwards, Oct. 30: Co-founder of The Greenery recalls how a small nursery grew into a respected, employee-owned landscaping company.
• Margaret Golson Pearman, Nov. 6: The certified sommelier recounts her family’s history with Charlie’s L’Etoile Verte, the bistro her father opened in the 1980s.

• Wyman Fraser Davis, Nov. 20: Daughter of Sea Pines founder Charles Fraser discusses her father’s vision and influence.
• Louanne LaRoche, Dec. 4: Former Red Piano Gallery owner reflects on the Round Table artist collective and previews the museum’s exhibition It’s Thursday! Artist of the Round Table.
• JR Richardson, Marc Puntereri and Chuck Scarminach, Dec. 11: Three longtime island leaders examine Hilton Head’s growth, development and future.

Four decades of growth
The Coastal Discovery Museum opened in 1985 as the Environmental and Historical Museum of Hilton Head Island. Its founding board, chaired by Helen Cork, included civic leaders and developers, among them Charles Fraser. Musician Michael Taylor, known for co-writing “Rocky Mountain High” and “Sunshine on My Shoulders,” later became the museum’s director and oversaw early programs such as beach walks, archaeological digs and Project Turtle Watch.

After beginning in a small storefront, the museum later moved near today’s Crazy Crab restaurant before settling in 2007 at Honey Horn, a 70-acre historic property dating back more than 300 years. With town support, they expanded its programs, offering trails, gardens and historic buildings.

Today, the museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate that welcomes more than 130,000 visitors annually. Its mission remains to educate and inspire the public to care for the Lowcountry’s cultural and natural resources.
Space is limited and reservations are recommended. For more information or to register, visit coastaldiscovery.org.