Beaufort Before Britain: How Beaufort was Placed on European World Maps

As we celebrate 250 years of independence from Great Britain, think about this: Two Hundred-Fifty years BEFORE the American Revolution, Europeans visited and indelibly inked our Beaufort home on the world map. Beaufort County commemorates the 500th anniversary of documented European presence on August 18th.

Beaufort’s "Saint Helena" joins "La Florida" as the oldest European place names in continuous use on the North American continent. To honor this milestone, the Beaufort District Collection and the Beaufort County Historical Society offer this free presentation telling the little-known story of how 16th Century Spanish mariners named our home a century before the Puritans stepped off the Mayflower at Plymouth Rock. Register here.