Mount Pleasant Town Hall Magazine

55 www.MountPleasantMagazine.com | www.ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.MPTownHall.com MOUNT PLEASANT Town Hall make up a tapestry of gratitude. The makers of this bright, detailed quilt, composed of 30 eye-catching squares, went by the name “The Ernest Workers.” While of different backgrounds and faiths, their love and appreciation for their local physician, Dr. John Dupré, tied them together. Each square of the quilt displays the stitched names or initials of the women behind the artistry. Scatterings of yellow stars, crescent moons, watering pots, fish, delicate flowers and blooming roses dance within the intricate patchwork. You can also find symbols that have significance to the very region where this masterpiece was crafted. One square displays the front of The Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church. The various swatches of fabric, linked together by elaborate embroidery, have become so much more than an artistic expression of a group of thankful women. It’s a significant piece of Mount Pleasant’s history, one that pays homage to one citizen that made a difference in the lives of many. Dr. John Young Dupré, a descendant of a Huguenot family, was born in 1827. His roots in Mount Pleasant ran deep. His grandfather was James Hibben, a man responsible for founding Mount Pleasant in 1803. Dupré served as an assistant surgeon in the Confederacy. He later would treat patients in a small, modest office located on the same plot of land as his home at the intersection of Bennett and Hibben. A man of strong faith, he served as an elder in The Presbyterian Church, always offering his home to traveling preachers looking for a comfortable bed and a warm meal. The Dupré quilt has actually been on quite a tour, traveling the country throughout the years, showing up at various folk art exhibits. It had a brief stint at The Mount Pleasant Library and in 1985 was displayed at The Charleston Museum. It hung in The University of South Carolina’s McKissick Museum and now has returned to its rightful place of origin. The History Room is a great resource for those looking to get the back story on some of Mount Pleasant’s most important events. Whether you want to check out a vintage map or browse digital archives on the computer in the center of the room, a trip to this pocket of knowledge will not disappoint. “As a culture, we can be very transient,” said Poplin. “People seek out that ability to connect to their new space, and they truly appreciate those who came before them.” Streets found throughout Mount Pleasant don the names of some of the town’s most esteemed innovators and influencers. At Mount Pleasant’s Town Hall, guests can get a sense of just who these pioneers were. “It’s always rewarding to see people in a space engaging with the materials you’ve presented,” said Poplin, who looked forward to sharing the exhibits with everyone from curious students on a field trip to new residents eager to dive into the history of Mount Pleasant. “I find joy in helping people connect the past to the present.” Sewee Indians, Gullah-Geechee and English settlers all contributed to the growth of Mount Pleasant. Culinary traditions and art are ingrained in this land of palm trees and boiled peanuts. Like Confederate jasmine winding up an iron gate, Mount Pleasant is ever thriving. From the gentle crack of an oyster shell to the cheerful hymn of a sandpiper, many elements meld together to contribute to the soundtrack of Mount Pleasant. TH