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"History Detectives" Unravels Mysteries of South Carolina's Past on ETV

For Immediate Release
June 23, 2006

Columbia, SC...With such a rich historical legacy, it’s no surprise that PBS’ History Detectives series has three mysteries to solve in the Palmetto State this July. From the Lowcountry to the Upstate and from the Revolutionary War to World War II, these super sleuths unravel the secrets to South Carolina’s past.

On Monday, July 10 at 9 p.m., History Detectives explores two stories with South Carolina origins. The first uncovers “Alternative Service Certificates” that date back to 1943. Did these certificates belong to individuals who were trying to buy their way out of service during WWII? Aiken resident David Watts, the owner of the certificates, brought this mystery to the History Detectives. The detectives traveled to Maryland and Pennsylvania in an attempt to track down the origins of these slips and find out more about the organizations that granted them.

Next is a story that began when a Spartanburg man, Brad Steinecke, purchased a six-volume set of Edward Gibbon’s “History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” at a library sale in Edgefield. The volumes are dated 1789 and are inscribed with the signature “John Calhoun.” Calhoun was the famous South Carolina statesman who served as senator, secretary of war, secretary of state, and two-time vice president of the United States during the 19th century. Through interviews with national Calhoun scholars, the detectives try to find out if Calhoun actually owned these books, and if so, how they shaped his political thought during his long life of civic duty. Scholas include:

• Michael Kohl with the Clemson University Special Collections Library,
• Charleston native Kendra Hamilton, who was taped at the Calhoun Mansion in Ft. Hill
• Dr. H. Lee Cheek, who was taped at the ruins of one of Wade Hampton III's plantations, Millwood, in Columbia.

The following Monday, July 17 at 9 p.m., History Detectives snoops around South Carolina once more, this time in a case dating back to the Revolutionary War. A Georgia man was scuba diving in North Augusta along the banks of the Savannah River, when he came across a badge belonging to the 71st Highlander regiment from Scotland. These troops were regarded as some of the fiercest fighters in the British Army. The detectives enlist the help of several history experts to find out if the badge was lost during a desperate maneuver by the British to turn the tide of the war and reclaim their U.S. colonies. Local experts include:

• Carl Borick, curator and assistant director for the Charleston Museum
• John Leader, South Carolina State Archaeologist
• Dr. Edward Cashin, director of the Center for the Study of Geogia History at Augusta State University

South Carolina ETV is the state's public educational broadcasting network with 11 television and eight radio transmitters, and a multi-media educational system in more than 2,500 schools, colleges, businesses and government agencies. Using television, radio and the web, SCETV's mission is to enrich lives by educating children, informing and connecting citizens, celebrating our culture and environment and instilling the joy of learning.

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For more information, contact Rob Schaller at (803) 737-6556 or rschaller@scetv.org.