Celebrating the 90th Birthday of Peter McGee
April 6 was a special day in Charleston when Patti McGee, along with her daughters, Madeleine and Evie, threw a wonderful birthday party for her husband Peter, a leader (like her) in historic preservation in Charleston. For years, Peter was a guiding force with the Historic Charleston Foundation, advised Frances Edmunds in acquiring Drayton Hall from the Drayton family, was chairman of Drayton Hall’s council, and advised me through some thorny issues.
A member of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s board, he and his good Atlanta friend Bradley Hale declared that at the Southern Regional Office’s reception at our annual meeting, the bar would not serve only wine and beer. They wanted a drink. Bourbon, scotch, vodka. And so we did!
As his daughters said in their toasts, he is loyal, brilliant, and honest — and has the rare gift of being able to convey bad news or criticism in a palatable manner. He taught me a lot. He also loves history and is an avid reader. Several years ago, he gave a remarkable presentation about growing up in Charleston, and I don’t think he used a note. As usual, he spoke from both mind and heart.
At a party it’s always difficult to stop the conversation and get pictures, so I don’t have pix of my brother Stuart and sister-in-law Sarah, who were there, of my friends Billy Wingfield and Kim Ashley, and many others. But I did get one of Mary Sue and Patti McGee, and of Mary Sue entertaining Peter with a story. Plus one of us with Pat Prioleau and Sarah Donnem, our intrepid fellow travelers to Italy, where sparkling Prosecco was much enjoyed — even, thanks to Sarah, at the Venice airport. I bet those airport guards are still talking about those partyin’ people from Charleston who, as they stood in line, were profusely toasting with Prosecco.
Hats off to Patti, Madeline, and Evie for the wonderful occasion! Thanks, too, to Peter, for as he said, “paying for it.” Please know that we all stand in your debt.
Mary Sue and Patti McGee
Mary Sue entertaining Peter and me with a story.
Mary Sue and I with friends Sarah Donnem (far left) and Pat Prioleau.
George W. McDaniel, Ph.D., is President of McDaniel Consulting, LLC, a strategy firm that helps organizations use history to build bridges within itself and to its broader constituents. The company’s tag line, “Building Bridges through History,” is grounded in McDaniel’s personal beliefs and his experience in site management, preservation, education, board development, fundraising, and community outreach. Rather than using history to divide us, he strives to help organizations use history, especially local history, to enhance cross-cultural understanding and to support local museums, preservation, and education. Dr. McDaniel led volunteer efforts with Emanuel AME Church and historical organizations in Charleston to use historic preservation to enhance racial reconciliation and healing. McDaniel is also the Executive Director Emeritus of Drayton Hall, a historic site in Charleston, SC, owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He retired from Drayton Hall in 2015 after 25 years of distinguished service.
A frequent writer, speaker, and facilitator about such issues, he can be reached at gmcdaniel4444@gmail.com or through his website at www.mcdanielconsulting.net.
Header Image L-R: Me and my wife Mary Sue with the man of the hour, Peter McGee.
All images courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted.
McDaniel Consulting LLC is a strategy firm that helps organizations use history to build bridges within itself and its broader constituents.