Dr. Kendra Hamilton to Discuss New Book at Laurens County Museum

The Laurens County Museum will host Dr. Kendra Hamilton, Associate Professor of English at Presbyterian College, for a special presentation on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Magnolia Room. Dr. Hamilton will discuss her newly released book, Romancing the Gullah in the Age of Porgy and Bess.

A Charleston native, Dr. Hamilton has dedicated much of her academic career to exploring the history and cultural significance of the Gullah Geechee people. Her interest in the subject began during her graduate studies, culminating in a Ph.D. dissertation in 2010 that examined Charleston’s rich cultural landscape and the Gullah Geechee Coast.

Now a professor at Presbyterian College, Dr. Hamilton teaches Southern and African American literature, incorporating South Carolina history and culture into her courses. Her latest work examines how the Gullah culture has been represented in literature and media, particularly in connection with Porgy and Bess, the famous opera inspired by Charleston’s African American communities.

This event offers a unique opportunity for attendees to gain insight into South Carolina’s cultural history from an expert in the field. The presentation is free and open to the public.

For more information, visit the Laurens County Museum’s website or follow their Facebook page for updates.