This summer, Department of History Assistant Professor Jacob Steere-Williams took his “Epidemics and Revolutions” class on a walking tour to highlight several aspects of the history of disease, medicine, and public health local to Charleston. Some of the places they visited include the original 19th c. sites of Roper Hospital and the Medical College of South Carolina, the Unitarian and Circular Congregational Churches, and the residences of several important Charleston physicians, such as David Ramsay and John Lining.
History class on a walking tour of Charleston
The picture here is in front of the controversial Marine Hospital, designed by the famed architect Robert Mills, and federally-funded by the Marine Hospital Fund. Not only did the Hospital serve as the major center for treating yellow fever patients in mid 19th century Charleston, but after the Civil War it was used as a free school for African American children, and later as an orphanage. Today, the Charleston Housing Authority resides in the building.
Learn more about Dr. Steere-Williams’ research interests and classes taught here.