Between the Waters F A L L 2 0 1 5 V O L U M E X V I , I S S U E I I

Aston Knight

Returns to Hobcaw Barony

B O A R D O F

T R U S T E E S

Benjamin T. Zeigler

Chairman

Hugh C. Lane, Jr.

Vice Chairman

Benedict P. Rosen

Treasurer

Albert Baruch Mercer, MD

Secretary

Roland Alston

Edward B. Bowers, Jr.

Edwin H. Cooper, III

W. Leighton Lord

Grainger McKoy

Dale Rosengarten, PhD

Minor Mickel Shaw

C. Dorn Smith, III, MD

Aston Knight 1

Ben Zeigler 2

OnLine Reservations 2

Photography

Programs

3

Jeanne Arnold 3

Special Programs 4

Volunteer Corner 5

Shop Hobcaw 5

Executive Director 6

Belle’s Greenhouse 7

I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

In 1936, Aston Knight visited Hobcaw Barony

for his second time to paint landscapes and

structures that were significant to the Baruch

family. He was known as the artist in “high

rubber boots,” being willing to wade in water

to paint plein aire. From his trips in 1916 and

1936, more than 31 watercolors, gouache and

oil paintings were completed that are now part

of the Belle W. Baruch Foundation collection.

Louis Aston Knight was the son of American

expatriate artist, Daniel Ridgway Knight. As-

ton, as he was known, was born in France and

is most famous for his French landscapes and

capturing the movement and flow of water.

According to art curator, Pamela Beecher, he

rejected the tenets of Modernism and identifi-

cation with any school maintaining his inde-

pendent style. He was known for large, bold

brush strokes and the use of vivid color. An

outdoorsman and powerful athlete who ex-

celled at boxing, gave him much in common

with Bernard Baruch.

From information provided by the Knight

family, we know that Aston Knight visited

the United States for the first time in the early

1900’s and he exhibited his art frequently at a

gallery located near Baruch’s Fifth Avenue

home in NYC. He married an American

woman in 1907 and they made their home in

France. During WWI the Knights moved

temporarily to the United States and in 1916

he was commissioned by Baruch to paint the

beloved Hobcaw property.

continued on page 2)

P A G E 2

The Belle W. Baruch Board of Trustees meeting held on

May 11, 2015, resulted in a change of command for the

Board. Benjamin T. “Ben” Zeigler, of Florence, was

elected Chairman of the Board, previously serving as

Vice Chairman to Hugh Lane, Jr. of Charleston. Zeigler

practices law with the firm Haynsworth, Sinkler, Boyd,

P.A., focusing on nonprofit and government law, public

finance and economic incentives.

A New Chairman

B E T W E E N T H E W A T E R S

On-Line Reservation

System at Hobcaw Barony A few years ago a new website was designed with the goal of being more user friendly, but

as technology advances, the website should too. A new website has been designed and is

now “live.” Visitors are now able to make reservations for tours, special programs and our

popular summer camps online. Due to expanded tours and programs and an increased num-

ber of visitors, our online reservation system is essential. Now anyone is able to visit our

website any day, at any hour, and see what tours and programs are available. Once a tour or

program has been selected there is an easy, three-step process to reserve a space. Please visit

www.hobcawbarony.org .

He returned to Hobcaw in 1936 and painted many other scenes. The Belle W. Baruch Foun-

dation now owns what is believed to be the largest collection of his works that are of a single

place.

In 2014, the PBS hit series “Antiques Roadshow” featured a segment about the art theft that

took place at Hobcaw Barony in 2003, that included a few Aston Knight paintings. The ap-

praiser, Debra Force, an expert in American paintings, examined and talked about the collec-

tion on film. A couple of years later, Mrs. Force noticed an Aston Knight painting of Hobcaw

House that was coming up for auction and notified the Executive Director, George Chastain.

The foundation was able to purchase the painting and is in the process of having it framed to

meet conservation standards. It is important to note that this painting was not one that was

stolen. In fact, the painting was not part of the collection listed on the 1964 inventory. Never-

theless, Hobcaw Barony is happy to add a painting that tells an important part of the story.

Reproductions will be available in the gift shop at the Discovery Center.

(continued from page 1)

V O L U M E X V I , I S S U E I I P A G E 3

New Volunteer Coordinator Jeanne Arnold started her new position this month as Hobcaw Barony’s new Volunteer

Coordinator. Previously, as many of you know, Jeanne was one of our docent volunteers.

She comes to us with a strong background in Human Resource management, working in a

manufacturing setting as well as Division Vice President of Human Resources for Den-

ny’s restaurants. Also, she spent 15 years teaching gifted and talented students, ranging

from 3rd grade through 8th grade. She hopes to foster a strong sense of satisfaction and pride for our volunteers who

are ambassadors for Hobcaw Barony, spreading Belle’s mission to all who cross through our gates. Jeanne believes

that her previous employment experience will give her “a unique perspective on recruiting, retention, problem solv-

ing and training in addition to managing large groups of people.”

After vacationing here for many years, Jeanne and her husband Mike moved to Pawleys Island permanently over

one year ago from Ohio. They have four children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. Please extend a

warm welcome to Jeanne.

Photography Programs at

Hobcaw Barony There are two exciting opportunities to photograph Hobcaw

Barony at night this fall. The first program was in Novem-

ber. Professional photographer David Fattaleh came to demon-

strate a rare opportunity to light up Friendfield Village by cam-

era. Our attendees stepped back in time with David as he pro-

vided instruction on long exposures, use of flashlights and fil-

ters, and other techniques to capture dramatic images.

The second program takes place on December 13. Participate in a rare

photography experience at Clambank Landing on Hobcaw Barony and

view the Geminid Meteor shower. A meteor shower is the result of

earth passing through the tail of a comet and a streak of light is seen

when pieces from the comet hit earth’s atmosphere. Clambank is locat-

ed in north inlet, one of the cleanest estuaries on the East Coast and has

very little light pollution, providing an excellent opportunity to capture

the event on camera. Participants will learn about proper exposure,

wide angle/fast lens, shutter speed, F-stops, ISO and how to focus. If

you are not interested in photography, Ron Revere, adjunct professor at

Coastal Carolina University will start the evening with a 15 minute

slide show about meteor showers. The workshop leader is David Fat-

taleh, a professional photographer with over 30 years experience.

B E T W E E N T H E W A T E R S

P A G E 4

Donors Enjoy Unique Programming

The Plantation Sportsmen Series features two-day seminars led by dinner

speakers at Hobcaw House and a trip the

following day to plantations in the

lowcountry and sandhills of South Carolina.

Reflecting preservation of history and

dedication to conservation, exclusive

properties, many once owned by duck

hunters of the early 20th century, are still

privately held and protected in perpetuity.

Special access through the Baruch

Foundation’s Plantation Sportsmen Series

provides insight into the connections between

Hobcaw Barony and the past and present

relationships with these other plantations.

Tours are complemented by stimulating

lectures, good food and travel to quiet

locations rarely seen by the public.

The 2016 dates are January 29-30; February 25-

26; April 21-22; September 22-23; October 20-

21. Donors may register online ($150/person per

event).

The Baruch Roundtable welcomes donors to Hobcaw House to meet

and mingle with prominent authors, artists,

and historians, as Mr. and Mrs. Bernard

Baruch once did during their ownership.

Limited to 28, these intimate dinners begin

with libations on the porch overlooking

Winyah Bay at sunset, continue in the dining

room featuring the finest of lowcountry

cuisine and conclude with a “salon evening”

with our speakers in the living room of the

house that once encouraged conversations

between guests and notables Mrs. Woodrow

Wilson, Winston Churchill and President

Franklin Roosevelt.

The 2016 dates are Thursdays, March 31; May

19; November 10. Donors may register for online

($75/person per event).

The Belle W. Baruch Foundation donors are now provided with special access and attention

through unique programming offered quarterly. Education staff Richard Camlin and Lee

Brockington have developed enlightening opportunities for supporters of Hobcaw Barony.

Exclusive field experiences and access to regionally recognized historians, artists and ecol-

ogists began in 2015 and continues in the New Year.

In a August 1961 photo taken as a souvenir at the

Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, Belle Ba-

ruch's dinner guests share a table. Ella Severin,

Mrs. Unger, Ken Unger (Belle's pilot), Mrs.

Charles Jones, Belle Baruch, Arthur Allen, ZaSu

Pitts (actress) and Dr. Charles Jones.

After a morning duck hunt, hunters and guides

pose with their bounty. Possibly a Caines brother

on the left.

P A G E 5 V O L U M E X V I , I S S U E I I

Volunteer Corner:

A Message from Jeanne Arnold When we look back over the past few weeks and our flooding disasters, we’re even more in awe of our volunteers.

Everyone has gone above and beyond to help in the recovery. Our volunteers at the desk

have answered hundreds of questions, rescheduled tours, and worked on the roll-out of our new website. Our docents

scheduled and rescheduled their lives around ever changing conditions on the property. All volunteers who work in

horticulture, forestry and maintenance worked at a constant, breakneck pace to fix roads, clean yards, and dig out

culverts with only hand tools because roads were too damaged to use heavy equipment. The devotion to carry out

Belle’s mission of research and education is always alive and well in the actions of our volunteers. Thank you!

Friendfield Village, Hobcaw Barony...

braving the intense heat, these gentlemen

spent a week replacing the roof of the

oldest cabin in Friendfield. Our 1840s

cabin, previous home to Laura Carr,

nurse/midwife to the villagers, has a new

roof. Come take our tour and discover

Friendfield Village to see the transfor-

mation of housing from pre-Civil War

era through post Reconstruction.

A New Roof in Friendfield A New Roof in Friendfield

S H O P H O B C A W

Hobcaw Barony is once again offering a member’s shopping week in the gift store at the Hobcaw Barony Discovery

Center. From November 30 to December 5 members will receive an extra discount for any retail items purchased.

Donors receiving a 10% discount throughout the year will receive 20% and donors receiving a 20% discount

throughout the year will receive 30%. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm. There are

many items to choose from including wooden bowls from fallen trees at Hobcaw Barony, sweetgrass baskets, t-

shirts, jewelry, stuffed animals and puppets among many other things. Brand new this year are wine stoppers with a

vintage map image of North Inlet, a favorite spot for everyone at Hobcaw Barony.

From left to right—Dave Schlidt, Steve Thomas,

Lee Daniels and Myrick Newton.

Executive Director Notes George Chastain

As yet another summer research season here at Hobcaw Barony comes to a close, we should

pause to reflect a moment on our core mission of research and education. In the past twelve

months, thirty-one new research projects were established on the property by students and

faculty from our partner universities. These researchers represented seventeen different uni-

versities in six states. Along with existing long term research projects, these new projects

will deepen our understanding of the complex natural and built environments at Hobcaw

Barony.

There is no doubt that Hobcaw Barony has become well known throughout the country as a

premier site for scientific research. From the very beginning forestry and wildlife manage-

ment, along with marine biology, have been at the heart of our research. It was Belle Baruch

herself that named forestry and marine biology as our core areas of research.

For over forty years, we have partnered with Clemson University to meet Belle’s directive

to study forestry and wildlife management at Hobcaw Barony. Clemson’s work through

their Belle W. Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in forest hydrology,

tree genetics, silviculture, forested wetlands ecology, and endangered species management

has led to a greater understanding of coastal forest. For a generation, the forestry communi-

ty has turned to Clemson University and the Baruch Institute for the latest information on

coastal forestry and wildlife issues.

Yet ,we cannot be satisfied with our past success. The complexity of forest resource man-

agement is going through its greatest change in a generation, may be its greatest change ev-

er. With the rise of forest product manufacturing to become the largest manufacturing sector

in South Carolina, the diversity of forest products and markets has grown dramatically.

Changes in forest land ownership patterns have changed as well. The large integrated forest

product companies that once owned thousands of acres of forest land no longer exist. Large

forested tracts in our state are now owned by investment groups, groups that require a high

return on their investment. Small private forest ownership is changing too, with the greatest

intergenerational transfer of forest land in history. New exotic invasive plants, insects, and

diseases seem to arrive daily with the introduction of new species. Species our forests are

seldom adapted to deal with.

In October, we invited twenty-two leaders from the forestry community to share their

thoughts on these changes. Our goal was to understand the challenges facing the forestry

community that research could and should address. The comments from the group were en-

lightening. Many of the things we felt were well understood, were identified as areas in

need of research. Many new topics were identified that had not been considered. The topics

identified will help guide forestry research in the future at Hobcaw Barony, as Clemson

University grows their research.

P A G E 6

B E T W E E N T H E W A T E R S

V O L U M E X V I , I S S U E I I P A G E 7

Before restoration, January 2015 During restoration, June 2015

During restoration, September 2015

RESTORATION OF BELLE’S GREENHOUSE

This year Patricia Mishoe, our staff horticulturalist,

headed up the project to bring new life to the greenhouse

at Bellefield. Belle and Ella Severin were members of

the American Camellia Society and competed in many

shows in the area, showcasing their prized camellias.

Bellefield has over 100 camellias around the property.

A big thank you to our wonderful volunteers and staff

that have worked to bring back Belle’s green-

house: Randy Lampley, George Gross, Mike Goodwin,

Myrick Newton, Richard Lancaster, Philip Holberton,

Pat Benson, Steve Thomas, James Bessinger, Zeb Quat-

tlebaum and the beloved Elaine Minkler.

Continued restoration November 2015

A bowl of camellias grown at Bellefield.

Non-Profit

U.S. Postage Paid

Georgetown, SC

29440

Permit #303

22 Hobcaw Road

Georgetown, SC 29440

Address Service Requested

SHOP HOBCAW BARONY

The Belle W. Baruch Foundation

Mission Statement To conserve Hobcaw Barony’s unique natural and cultural resources

for research and education.

TO:

Discovery Center

9am to 5pm Monday through

Saturday

www.hobcawbarony.org

Take advantage of our social media sites to know the latest

Hobcaw’s happenings.

Belle W. Baruch Foundation at Hobcaw

@HobcawBarony

Hobcaw Barony

Hobcaw Barony

hobcawbarony_baruchfoundation

Wine Bottle Stoppers of Hobcaw Barony

Newly arrived at our Discovery Center Gift Store, wine

stoppers with a vintage map image of North Inlet, a fa-

vorite spot for everyone at Hobcaw Barony.

Gift Shop hours are Monday—Friday, 9 am—5 pm.

**If you are a donor, please remember to use your discount!**