Virginia Beach speaks at the River Course

Author Virginia Beach spoke at the River Course Clubhouse on Kiawah Island on January 11 at the annual joint meeting and luncheon of the Sandcastle Book Club and the Kiawah Island Club Book Club. Beach’s recent book American Landmark tells the story of Charles Duell and the rebirth of Middleton Place. Accompanying Beach and speaking with her is Brandon Stone, the Middleton Place Manager of Community Relations.

In an earlier post, I featured the book as one recommended by the Post and Courier. Now I can say that I have read and enjoyed the entire book. It is the fascinating history of Middleton Place and an important scholarly record of the landmark we cherish here in Charleston. I was startled to find out, while reading the book, just how close the property came to being sold instead of preserved. Thankfully it is now thriving and able to tell the story of the people, black and white, who lived and worked on the land.