Bill Text: SC H5288 | 2015-2016 | 121st General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Santa Elena History Center
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 77-46)
Status: (Passed) 2016-04-28 - Introduced and adopted [H5288 Detail]
Download: South_Carolina-2015-H5288-Introduced.html
A HOUSE RESOLUTION
TO COMMEMORATE THE OPENING OF THE SANTA ELENA HISTORY CENTER AND TO THANK THE BOARD MEMBERS, ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS, AND THE BEAUFORT COUNTY COMMUNITY FOR THEIR HARD WORK ON THIS OUTSTANDING PROJECT.
Whereas, the town of Santa Elena was founded in 1566 on present day Parris Island by Spanish forces and served as the Spanish capital of La Florida from 1569 to 1587; and
Whereas, attacks by English forces forced the Spanish to retreat and the history of this settlement was obscured by French activity in the surrounding area; and
Whereas, the site was thought to be exclusively French when it was first excavated in the 1850s, but artifacts uncovered by the Marine Corps, who began using Parris Island as a training site during World War I, were determined to be from Spain or Spanish made;
Whereas, Santa Elena was named a National Historic Landmark in 2001 based largely on its role in the heated competition among European Powers for the New World; and
Whereas, the Santa Elena Foundation was founded to discover, preserve, and promote the "Lost Century" of European colonization and the construction of the Santa Elena History Center furthers the mission of the foundation; and
Whereas, the Santa Elena History Center will open in April 2016 during the 450th anniversary of the establishment of Santa Elena and is the culmination of a month long celebration for the settlement; and
Whereas, the history center is the product of months of hard work as the community came together to turn the Federal Courthouse Building into an interpretive museum that will serve as an educational and entertaining destination for visitors and local residents; and
Whereas, it is altogether fitting that the House of Representatives should pause in its deliberations to thank the countless individuals and organizations throughout Beaufort County who came together to promote the vast historic and cultural heritage of Santa Elena, the Port Royal Sound, and life throughout the area in the 1500's. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, commemorate the opening of the Santa Elena History Center and thank the board members, advisory board members, and the Beaufort County community for their hard work on this outstanding project.
