MYSTERY PHOTO: Surprise. Yes, another lighthouse to identify

What have we here?  Surprise, surprise! Yep, another lighthouse, a rather unusual one. Figure out where it is, and send your answer to ebrack2@gmail.com, and include  your hometown. This might be a cream puff for some of you.

George Graf of Palmyra, Va. pinpointed the recent mystery. “It’s Tidalholm Mansion, a historic antebellum mansion along the Beaufort River in Beaufort, S.C. Commissioned by Edgar Fripp (1806 – 1860), a prominent and wealthy Sea Island cotton planter, the house was completed in 1853 as a summer retreat from his Seaside Plantation on St. Helena Island.” 

Sara Rawlins of Lawrenceville added: “During the Civil War, the Union seized the city, and the mansion became a hospital. After the war, the Fripp family regained the home. Legend has it that the home was to be auctioned off for taxes, and a Frenchman bought the place and, seeing Mr. Fripp in tears, kissed him on both cheeks and handed him the deed to his home. The Frenchman left for France before Mr. Fripp could repay him. Then, around the 1930s, the home became a Bed and Breakfast. 

“In 1979, Hollywood came calling, and the movie The Great Santini was filmed there. This was Robert Duval’s character’s home. The author, Pat Conroy, lived in that area, which could explain why the movie was made there and used the Tidalholm mansion as part of the scenery. The movie The Big Chill was also filmed there, making this home now a landmark for Beaufort, S.C.” 

Others recognizing the house were Jay Altman, Columbia, S.C.; Ruthy Lachman Paul, Norcross; Stew Ogilvie, Rehobeth, Ala.; Allan Peel of San Antonio, Texas; and one other person, whose name we misplaced. (Sorry). The photo came from Rick Krause of Lilburn.

  • SHARE A MYSTERY PHOTO:  If you have a photo that you believe will stump readers, send it along (but  make sure to tell us what it is because it may stump us too!)  Click here to send an email  and please mark it as a photo submission.  Thanks.

LAGNIAPPE

Brookwood teacher wins local and state award 

A Gwinnett teacher garnered two honors recently. In a celebration of historical preservation, education, and patriotism, a local high school history teacher has been honored with the prestigious “Outstanding Teacher of American History” award by the Lawrenceville-based Philadelphia Winn Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is Ms. Danielle Kaiser of Brookwood High School, shown here at right with Randi Minor, chapter regent.  Mrs. Kaiser also won the statewide American History teacher award.

Ms. Kaiser is known for her dynamic teaching style and heartfelt relationships with her students. Rather than simply recounting dates and events, she transforms teaching history into  narratives with living, breathing stories for her students. Utilizing interactive discussions, role-playing exercises, and primary source documents, she invites her students into the past, challenging them to think critically about the forces that shape societies. Her approach not only sparks curiosity but also fosters an environment where every student feels empowered to express their thoughts and draw connections between history and their own lives.

Besides teaching, she also served as a club sponsor for several organizations such as the Student Government Association, and Model United Nations. She also served as a sponsor of Brookwood High School’s Georgia Secretary of State Student Ambassador Program.

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