Hey it’s Bill,
This week’s newsletter looks a little different…and that’s because I’m floating around the Caribbean on a cruise ship for a few days. So instead of the normal format, I had to cut it down to 2 stories. The other option was to miss a week…and that wasn’t happening!
The Deep Dive
Charleston’s Burial Grounds: What the History Commission Just Decided
Charleston sits on layers of history—sometimes quite literally. Under structures, parking lots, churches, and college buildings are thousands of people who lived, died, labored, and were buried here with little record and, often, little protection. This week, that reality took center stage again at the City’s History Commission meeting, with a major discussion focused on the site at 106 Cumming Street, the former YWCA property now tied to a proposed College of Charleston student housing project.
A Resolution to Protect the Dead
The Commission reviewed a resolution drafted at its prior meeting. The goal was not to stop development outright, but to force accountability when burials are involved. In plain terms, the resolution asks the City to:
act as a “respectful steward” of human remains,
follow professional archaeological standards,
involve descendant communities in decision-making,
and become a model for how governments handle burial sites under threat.
This matters because the City once owned this land and later sold it without keeping it designated as burial ground—even though it served as Charleston’s only public cemetery from 1794 to 1807 for people who could not be buried elsewhere.
Public Voices: “This Isn’t Just Dirt”
Several speakers urged urgency and transparency.
Brian Turner (Preservation Society of Charleston) underscored that:
historians estimate burials in the thousands at 106 Cumming,
South Carolina law requires removals to be “necessary and expedient,” but doesn’t define what that means,
and new federal guidance prioritizes avoidance rather than disinterment.
Jerry Harris (HARK) drew a comparison:
Courier Square uncovered 72 bodies;
this site could easily contain ten times, even twenty times that number.
Lache Ubé (Ancestry African Burial Ground Project) reminded the Commission:
this isn’t only about legality or engineering—it’s about ancestors.
The Bee Street Burial Ground Debate
A significant turn in the meeting came when Commissioner Wilmot Fraser raised concerns about another site: Bee Street, where MUSC construction is ongoing. He emphasized that:
historical evidence strongly suggests Denmark Vesey may be buried there,
and the state could be actively disturbing this ground today.
Fraser pushed to amend the resolution to name Bee Street specifically. The Commission debated:
For adding it: active construction makes it urgent.
Against adding it: naming only one risked excluding other sites, and the Commission is waiting for Dr. James Spady’s research this February.
The amendment failed, and the resolution stayed general—but the alarm bell was rung.
Mayor’s Role and Next Steps
Mayor Tecklenburg voiced support and said he would bring the resolution to City Council himself. He also stated he is in regular contact with College of Charleston President Hsu, who has committed that:
if remains are discovered,
they will be handled correctly and reinterred respectfully.
The Commission then voted to:
send the resolution to Council,
make it public,
and have the Commission Chair present at the Council meeting to answer questions directly.
Update: Anson Street African Burial Ground
In a separate agenda item, the Commission approved final plaque language for the Anson Street site, adding the sponsoring organizations so that the memorial reflects those who fought for its recognition. The dedication is set for December 14th.
Why This Matters for Charleston
The City is now staring at a precedent-setting moment. For centuries, Charleston’s public burial grounds—especially those used by Black and poor residents—were unmarked, sold off, paved over, and forgotten.
This resolution doesn’t fix that legacy, but it does something Charleston has rarely done:
it names responsibility.
If the resolution holds, development on burial sites will require:
community inclusion,
scientific handling,
historical honesty,
and transparency every step of the way.
That’s A Wrap
Before you go: Here’s how I can help
1) Buying a Home - If you’re planning a move in the next 12-18 months, it’s never too early to start chatting.
2) Market Conditions - I can send you a quick snapshot of what’s going on in your neighborhood or area.
3) Request an Update - Share a lot or address, and I’ll research what’s being planned or built there
Until Next Week,
-Bill
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