South Carolina African American Confederate Pensioners Lecture with Dr. Walter B. Curry Jr.

During the Civil War, South Carolina employed African American labor, free and enslaved, to support military operations in Charleston and the Lowcountry areas. 58 years later, South Carolina legally approved state Confederate pensions for African Americans who served as cooks, teamsters, body servants, combat engineers, road maintenance, and other roles.

The Charleston Museum is pleased to host Dr. Walter B. Curry Jr. for the final lecture of its Fall lecture series.  The presentation explores the reasons why South Carolina used African American labor during the Civil War; the diverse role of African American labor during the Civil War that includes a historical focus on the Lowcountry; the legislation passed by the South Carolina General Assembly that approved African Americans who met the qualifications to receive pensions for their military service in the Confederate Army; notable features of the South Carolina State Confederate pension application; and notable South Carolina African American Confederate Pensioners from Charleston County and the Lowcountry who lived during the Reconstruction and post-Reconstruction era periods.

Registration is encouraged.  This lecture is FREE for Members and FREE for the public.

Light reception and wine selections available for purchase from Love and Bunches Mobile Wine Bar.

Register online or call 843.722.2996 ext. 235.

Speaker Biography:

Dr. Walter B. Curry, Jr., is a native of Orangeburg, South Carolina. Dr. Curry received a bachelor’s degree in political science from South Carolina State University, and has earned graduate degrees in education, which includes a doctorate degree in Curriculum & Instruction from Argosy University, Sarasota. In 2018, Dr. Curry launched Renaissance Publications, LLC., a self-publishing company, which publishes books that focuses on African American history through ancestry. Dr. Curry has published two award winning books, The Thompson Family: Untold Stories from the Past (1830-1960), and The Awakening: The Seawright-Ellison Family Saga, Vol.1, A Narrative History. Both books consist of stories that covers the lineage of Dr. Curry ancestry from slavery, The Civil War, The Reconstruction Era, and family life in Aiken, Orangeburg, Richland Counties and beyond. Dr. Curry has done book signings and presentations at local conferences, workshops, bookstores, and schools across the state and nationwide. Dr. Curry is the Author-In-Residence at the Aiken Center for the Arts located in Aiken, SC.  Dr. Curry has received numerous accolades for his work and service which includes two African American Historical and Genealogy Society book awards; legislative resolutions from the South Carolina General Assembly for his significant work in service to African American History and Heritage in South Carolina; Literary Titan Gold Awards; a recipient of the Martha Schofield “Work The Legacy” Award; member of the Inaugural South Carolina State University 40 Under 40; and selected as a 2022 Richland Two School District Black History Month honoree. To learn more about Dr. Curry company including purchasing his books, visit www.renaissancepubllc.com or contact him at renaissancepublicationsllc@gmail.com.