About

LDHI Mission and Vision

The Lowcountry Digital History Initiative (LDHI) is a digital public history platform that seeks to share the South Carolina Lowcountry’s rich history with the College of Charleston community as well as the local and global public. In providing public access to South Carolina Lowcountry history, our mission is to encourage inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge, which empowers individuals and enriches society. To accomplish this mission, we work with scholars, community members, and students to create free digital public exhibitions that are available to all.

Public History for Public Good

Based out of the College of Charleston, a public university, LDHI is committed to providing public access to the history of the South Carolina Lowcountry. A regional focus allows LDHI to share local events and people whose stories and experiences add depth to the tapestry of South Carolina and United States history. In committing to regional history, LDHI also seeks out histories that are less known to the public, encouraging a sense of discovery among our audience. These histories enrich our minds by expanding our thinking. They introduce us to the people from the past whose experiences can help shape our understanding of ourselves and our collective future. By using a publicly accessible digital platform, LDHI is an innovative leader in delivering history to all people–on campus, across the country, and around the globe. 

Scholarship, Learning, and Collaboration

LDHI is a collaborative project that brings together academic scholars, public historians, community members, students, librarians, and archivists to research, write, and create permanent digital public history exhibits. Our collaborative process encourages creativity, broadens perspectives, and fosters critical thinking among the team members, resulting in exhibits that help connect the public to the past in meaningful ways. 

Through an ongoing partnership with the College of Charleston Master of Arts in History program, LDHI graduate assistants play a crucial role in developing and laying out each exhibit. In our digital lab, History graduate students gain real-world experience working on public history projects that combine digital skills with humanities-based inquiry, preparing the next generation in the field of public history.