The Daniel Island Community Speaker Series continues on Wednesday, April 23rd, from 7:00–8:00 PM in the ballroom at the Daniel Island Club with a thought-provoking discussion led by Jeff Neale, Curator of Research and Collections at Middleton Place and a renowned expert on the Declaration of Independence.
This will be nothing like your (probably forgettable) high school Civics class. While the Declaration of Independence did proclaim America’s break from Great Britain, it also enshrined the powerful words:
“All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Yet, all 56 signers—including four from South Carolina—either owned slaves or came from states that permitted slavery. How could they reconcile these ideals with their own reality? And if equality was the foundation of our nation, why do disparities persist across race and gender? Jeff Neale will unpack the complexities, contradictions, and lasting impact of this revolutionary document.
Jeff brings history to life—not just with his expertise but with his incredible background. A former U.S. Marine Corps musician, he has also worked at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and wears many hats at Middleton Place—from delivering lambs to mastering historic crafts like pottery and indigo dyeing.
Join in for an evening of insightful conversation, history, and lively discussion.
🕰️ Event Details:
📍 Location: Daniel Island Club Ballroom
📅 Date: Wednesday, April 23rd
⏰ Time: 6:30 PM – Cash bar & passed hors d’oeuvres | 7:00 PM – Program begins
Don’t miss this opportunity better to understand one of America’s most defining documents!