What Do Descendants Think?

gmcdaniel4444@gmail.com

3 years ago

What Do Descendants Think of How My Book Portrayed Their Family Place, Drayton Hall?

“We appreciate the work and thought devoted to the preservation of Drayton Hall and hope that our contributions to this book’s stories will enhance the understanding of our history and of our shared heritage.” — Molly Drayton Osteen, Anne Drayton Nelson, Charles (Chad) H. Drayton, and Frank B. Drayton Jr.

“As African American descendants of Drayton Hall, we respect the spirits of our ancestors and believe this book honors their values and work and illuminates our memories and hopes. May we all come to the table.” — Catherine Braxton and Rebecca Campbell

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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.

All images courtesy of the author unless otherwise noted.