You may have seen the billboards – Before Jamestown, Before Plymouth…There was Santa Elena on Port Royal Sound.
Wait a minute? What we were taught in school was wrong? Maybe it’s just me, but I think the greatest thing about the discovery of Santa Elena is the discovery that we are still learning! Historians do their best to piece together the past, but history, as many other subjects, is based on a “best guess” using the available information. When new information is discovered, excavated in this case, our perception of history must adjust with it.
The other really cool thing about Santa Elena? It shows that the European colonization of our country started right here! What a history lesson for the kids! We had to check it out!
We went on a “Homeschool Day,” a day where we received not only access to the main exhibit, but also a sampling of some of the other activities that are frequently scheduled at the Santa Elena History Center. The staff was extremely welcoming, helpful, and informative. They really made the experience come alive for us. They had an entire plan for us to follow with different stations. Throughout our experience the staff escorted us and answered our questions along the way and made sure each group of visitors got the full experience while keeping us spaced out so no station was ever crowded.
The stations were:
An Introductory Movie
This may not have been geared for the younger crowd, but I needed it to be able to educate myself and to prepare to answer their questions!
Meet Marina de Lara—a Settler from Santa Elena
Our costumed docent told us about her life as a settler and answered any questions the kids could dream up! Part of the mission of Santa Elena is to make history come alive and they frequently have events, such as their Living History Fridays, where knowledgeable guides in period attire make history personal by sharing stories.
Tour of the main exhibit “Santa Elena: America’s Untold Story”
Marina de Lara gave the kids scavenger hunts of questions to answer and sent us on our way into the main exhibit. The kids especially enjoyed seeing how the horses were transported. I appreciated that the kids were busy with their mission and it allowed us to spend time delving deeper into some of the specifics as we moved through the exhibits.
Archaeology Program
Next, we did a short version of the center’s Camp Dig It! Archaeology Program. This was a huge hit. I don’t know about your kids, but mine could spend hours digging around for buried treasures! The professional archaeologist who led the program was able to slip little facts in as the kids dug away that made them feel like real archaeologists too! It was fun to learn how historians can gather so much information from the random items they dig up. In the case of the Santa Elena site, numerous settlements existed at the same location over time, making the archeology much more interesting and challenging. We even got a lesson in how some of the excavated items would have been made.
Self-Guided Building Tour
Being the old Federal Courthouse and a historical building in its own right, the center’s location was interesting as well. Some of the old holding cells are even still there from when people were awaiting their time in the courtroom. I couldn’t resist locking my kids up for just a few minutes…
We had a fun, educational day! It is evident that the center is staffed by people who really love what they are doing and are excited to share their knowledge. If you have the chance to go, I’d recommend trying out one of the many programs or events offered at the center! The center itself is growing but their schedule is packed with educational programming for all ages. Nothing beats a hands-on opportunity to learn about the local evidence that forced history books to be rewritten.
Check our calendar for events at the History Center and see their website for more information. Admission and details vary by program.
