Winter Membership Meeting

  • PSC Events
  • January 28, 2026 6:00pm – 8:00pm EST
Riviera Theater
Members, check email for sign-up

Safeguarding History Through Urban Archaeology

Charleston’s cultural heritage is not limited to the built environment. Preserved beneath our feet exists a cross-section of our city’s history that we have the opportunity to learn from today. We hope you will join us for the 2026 PSC Winter Membership Meeting featuring several prominent voices in the field of urban archaeology. The panel will showcase lessons from historic cities, like Alexandria, Virginia, that put in place proactive local policy to protect significant underground sites. These are policies that we believe Charleston deserves, though has yet to implement. The conversation will aid our collective understanding of the resources at stake and inform solutions for creating better protections for the future. 

After the panel concludes, enjoy the opportunity for further discussion with PSC staff and fellow members during a light reception. Complimentary beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres will be provided. Attendance is free and open only to current PSC Members. Registration is required, and space is limited, so be sure to sign up soon.

Winter Membership Meeting Archaeology Panel Recording

Archaeology Talking Points for PSC Members 

  • Charleston’s archaeological resources are irreplaceable. Once they are disturbed by development, the damage cannot be undone. 
  • Documentation is essential. Without archaeological investigation, countless stories, particularly those of historically marginalized communities, may never be uncovered. 
  • Public archaeology makes history tangible and fosters a sense of community identity. 
  • There is strong precedent for local protections. Many municipalities in the southeast, and across the globe, have adopted archaeological processes that ensure discoveries are properly identified and recorded during development.  
  • Archaeology provides predictability for property owners and developers and prevents unanticipated construction delays. 
  • Archaeological findings and interpretation foster heritage tourism and even attract positive publicity for developers, investors, and local governments. 
  • The 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, and Charleston’s pivotal role, should serve as a catalyst for local leadership to create new avenues for documenting and understanding Charleston’s early history. 
  • A full-time City Archaeologist should be funded in the next City budget to aid current staff review of development proposals, consult with residents and project teams, and guide local discussion toward expanded regulations. 

Find your City Council District and contact your City Councilmember.