Charleston County New Folly Beach Pier Site
Welder 'Red' and his Handiwork
Example of Metal Star
SPIRIT OF MOSQUITO BEACH - Permanent outdoor artwork honoring the rich culture, history, people, and events that have made Mosquito Beach a proud symbol of the African American Civil Rights Movement.
Of the five historic ‘black beaches’ in Charleston County, Mosquito Beach is the only one remaining virtually intact, and offers a vivid reminder of the segregation era. That popularity led to the eventual construction of the modest, 14-room Pine Tree Hotel, which had a communal kitchen and communal bathrooms on its first and second floors.The hotel closed as segregation wound down. Unlike the pavilion, it managed to survive Hurricanes Hugo, Matthew, Irma and Florence.
TWO LISTS: WHO WE HONOR... HOW WE HONOR
I. WHO WE HONOR
The Sea, Mother Nature, the bounty of fresh seafood, the changing tides. Life.
The Gullah Geechee culture in all of its forms; colors, food, mysticisms, hardships, perseverance.
The bravery of the 54th Regiment who were camped and marched to battle along Sol Legare road.
The Varn Oyster Factory and the birth of Mosquito Beach as a community.
Apple Wilder and the original team. Challenge is to bring the 1940 Pavilion photo back to life.
The Hotel and the ability to travel to a special place where you will be safe, well fed, tired from dancing and free.
The hardworking black men who sought a refuge for themselves and families.
The loving black women who fed, comforted and nurtured the men.
The fun, music, dancing, camaraderie and laughter in its heyday.
The Wilder, GIllIard, Lafayette and Rope-Wilder families.
The thousands of folks from all over the southeast who visited and supported Mosquito Beach.
Spiritual/Mystical/West African influences which helped support the faith, love and perseverance of a proud community.
II. HOW WE HONOR
The rail ties honor the four families that have worked hard to become land owners and stand united in their efforts to keep Mosquito Beach “as is” away from developers. The ties also honor the long struggle for racial equality; from the slave labor who helped build the first rail systems to the actual Underground Railroad which helped Black Southerners reach freedom.
Star Box is covered with tin from the original 1940 Pavilion roof swept away by Hurricane Hugo.
Star box will be “Crowned” with sweetgrass to honor Gullah Geechee culture.
Color of star box should reflect vibrant colors of the Gullah Geechee heritage reflected in many Jonathan Green paintings. As example, rather than blue the metal tin background would be indigo.
Color of rail ties (flag stripes) will be faded red & white based on Jonathan Greene’s palate of colors.
The flag does not touch the ground as it will sit on an 8”x8”x7’ timber to make it look like it’s on a large flag pole. A 10” round treated pile will be the flag pole.
FLAG DESIGN AND STAR IDEAS
Large Crab net and fishing paraphernalia, horseshoe crab and oyster shells, marine rope, hooks, etc. will be the dominant ‘star’ in the box. Honors rich fishing history and the essence of barrier island life.
1. Grouping of welded rail spikes to honor the original members. Atop stars are military metals from Apple Wilder and Cubby Wilder. Two design options for star.
2. 5 door knobs and plates to honor Hotel.
3. Serving Platter painted by Jonathan Greene to honor the woman who nurtured their men and fed them. If Jonathan can’t do then we hire local artist.
4. Oyster shells surrounded by 6 antique shucking knives to honor the Varn Oyster Factory and original settlements and support stores
5. Male and female dancing shoes of the 50’s
6. Snare Drum (or more suitable drum). References Thelma’s story of drum beat when person dies and the West African influences on daily living, religion and afterlife. Also illustrious musical past.
7. 78, 45 and 33 rpm records
8. Cooking utensils to honor food and surrounding farm land
9. 54 Regiment... Large solid Brass numbers ‘54’ framed in Civil War bullets
10. Crushed old beer cans. ‘After working 10 hour days sometime 6-7 days per week, all a hardworking black man wanted was the taste of a cold beer in peace and quiet amongst friends’
11. Hub cap to honor the thousands of folks some traveling hundreds of miles to be at place where they can be safe, have fun, dance and socialize
12. Farm and building hand tools to honor the immense hard work needed to feed the community and build the structures that have lasted through the years the story of Mosquito Beach is part of the larger story of the James Island’s Sol Legare community, which was settled by newly freed slaves and remains largely owned by their descendants.
Pine Tree Hotel on Mosquito Beach