Georgetown recognized as designated site for UNESCO’s Routes of Enslaved Peoples Project
October 15, 2026
Georgetown County Council officially recognized Georgetown as a designated site of the UNESCO Routes of Enslaved Peoples: Resistance, Liberty and Heritage Project.
Council Chairman Clint Elliott presented an official proclamation to Ron Daise and Marilyn Hemingway, representatives of the Middle Passage Historic Marker Steering Committee. 
The recognition carries deep historical significance, coinciding with the 500th anniversary of the first documented African arrivals in the area that is now modern-day Georgetown.
To honor those who endured the transatlantic journey, remember those who lost their lives, and celebrate the enduring cultural legacy of the Gullah Geechee people, the Middle Passage Historic Marker Steering Committee will host a series of commemorative community events culminating in the official unveiling of Middle Passage Port Markers in Georgetown County.
Middle Passage Ceremony & Marker Unveiling
The Middle Passage Ceremony and Marker Unveiling will take place on Saturday, Oct. 24 at SC Maritime Park. Then event begins with a ceremonial cleansing at 10:45 am, and the main program begins at 11:00 am. Professor Sam Livingston of Morehouse College will serve as the keynote speaker . The marker unveiling takes place at 12:55 pm, followed by a Salute to Mother Africa at 1:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to wear white or traditional African attire and bring flowers to honor ancestors.
