RES 2019-10 Adopted 0 0
RESOLUTION NO.2019-10
A RESOLUTION PROVIDING FINDINGS ABOUT THE HAMBURG INCIDENT OF
1876 AND APPOINTING MEMBERS OF A COMMITTEE TO EVALUATE OPTIONS
FOR AN ADDITIONAL DISPLAY IN JOHN C. CALHOUN PARK
WHEREAS,Thomas McKie Meriwether died during a confrontation
between an armed African-American militia positioned in the second story of the Sibley
Building and a large group of armed white citizens in and around the Town of Hamburg,
South Carolina on July 8'", 1876 and
WHEREAS, seven African-American men died in the confrontation, five of
whom were murdered, and
WHEREAS,the Monument to Thomas McKie Meriwether was unveiled on
February 16, 1916 and located prominently in John C. Calhoun Park, and
WHEREAS,the monument was paid for with an authorization of$400 from
the South Carolina Legislature and local contributions, and
WHEREAS, there is no recognition in John C. Calhoun Park of the seven
African-American men who died during the Hamburg incident, and
WHEREAS,both John C. Calhoun Park and the now abandoned Town of
Hamburg are within the City of North Augusta, and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Mayor and City Council of the City of
North Augusta,in meeting duly assembled and by the authority thereof,reach these
conclusions:
The Thomas McKie Meriwether Monument should remain in its present location, its
text and structure should not be altered, and
The Monument to Thomas McKie Meriwether contains text offensive to, and
inconsistent with the beliefs of,current day North Augusta citizens, and
A defined, distinct area surrounding the monument should be created providing
educational opportunities for visitors as a counterpoint to the viewpoint expressed by
the text on the monument, and
The educational display having permanently installed features(e.g.,sculptures,kiosks,
plaques, etc.) should present the information and should include, as a minimum,
A summary of the events which transpired at Hamburg on July P and 0,
and
The names of the African-American men killed during the events of July 8'"
and 9'", and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a committee comprised of the following individuals is
hereby established for the purpose of developing a plan for the additions at John C. Calhoun
Park necessary to fulfill the items listed above in this section:
Mayor Bob Pettit, Chair Mr. John Felak
Council member Pat Carpenter Dr. Mark Newell
Council member David McGhee Mr. Tony Carr
Mr, Charles Allen Ms. Mandy Nelson, ex-officio,
non-voting
Mr. Milledge Murray
Ms. Trina Mackie
The Committee,at its discretion, is authorized and encouraged to utilize local,county, and
state resources and experts to insure information is factual or is consistent with current
historical understanding or interpretation.
A design competition for the overall layout and specific elements should be considered by
the Committee. Should this be the recommended approach,the Committee is authorized to
develop the overall guidelines for such competition, including a recommended selection
procedure and the criteria.
Committee recommendations shall be presented to Council for approval and
implementation.
The City Administrator is authorized to approve funds to cover travel and other expenses
from General Fund City Council Contingency Account totaling not more than $500.
DONE, RATIFIED AND ADOPTED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF NORTH AUGUSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA, ON THIS J th DAY OF
March 2019.
Robert A.Pettit,Mayor
AT-MST:4
Sharon Lamar,City Clerk