SI Magazine Winter 2016-17

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Coste has such love for the 3.3 miles of coastal stretch. As
president of The Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, he
hopes to bring a bit of the past into the present.
“I guess you would consider me to be a backyard
historian,” said Coste. “I’m not a scholar.”
Currently, the majority of remnants on display at
The Battery Gadsden Cultural Center are photographs.
Rustically framed moments of residents from the 1930s
and 1940s, enjoying an afternoon dip or neighborhood
stroll, line the thick walls of this solid concrete artillery
structure built in 1903.
Most of the photos Coste has acquired come from his
own family, friends and neighbors who also have strong
ties to Sullivan’s Island. He’s picked them up over the
years at “swaps” and admits he has never really shelled out
money for the black and white captures of yesteryear. Most
recently, he has obtained close to 800 photographs from
The National Archives in Washington, D.C.
“We started this project to provide Sullivan’s Island
with a venue for art and artisans,” said Coste. “We want to
create a mini-museum, filled with artifacts.”
It’s been a labor of love for Coste when it comes to this
ever-expanding living time capsule. The actual structure
itself is in need of some serious TLC. While grants have
been applied for, it’s obvious this historic landmark needs
some essentials.
“I’ve spent a lot of time out here pressure washing and
painting,” said Coste. “We’ve made a lot of progress.”
A layer of greenery has sprouted from the roofs of
both bunkers, creating a Hobbit-esque feel. There’s even a
neighboring garden that gets frequent visits from winged
monarchs.
In the center of the room at Battery Gadsden you can find
a table that Coste constructed himself from reclaimed wood
he salvaged from a pier that was taken down in the 1970s.
A sheet of glass covers the planks that still bear the names of
teens, carved into the wood after a day catching waves.
It’s small remnants like this that Coste revels in and
wants to bring to The Battery Gadsden Cultural Center.
He longs to showcase the everyday residents that add
to the ever-changing mosaic that is Sullivan’s Island.
Shining a light on past and future citizens is of the utmost
importance to this organization, which is committed to
celebrating island life in all its forms.
As we truck along Officers’ Row, Coste expands on his
family history. He later points out a plaque dating back to
1915 and picturing his Coast Guard captain grandfather.
He points to another landmark – the birthplace of his
aunt. It seems his family tree expands to nearly every
pocket of this coastal town, deemed one of the “happiest”
by Coastal Living magazine.
With Battery Gadsden still not in condition for indoor
events, Coste and the board have hosted many happenings
at various locations around town. This past September,
they put on an event featuring artist Richard “Duke”
Hagerty, whose surreal depictions are boldly splashed upon
canvas. Colorful, dreamlike and at times zany, his work
has attracted a loyal following. His time spent on Sullivan’s
Island has definitely had an influence on his work. At the
Fort Moultrie Visitor Center auditorium, Hagerty gave
attendees an inside look at his process, inspiration and ties
to the island itself.
“Hopefully, the BGCC will continue to grow and
gain momentum during 2017,” said Brandon Clark, who
serves on the board. “The more people that learn about
our organization and get involved, the better we will be.
I hope new volunteers will bring new ideas to the group.
I’d like to see us focus some more energy on visual and
performing arts.”
The elevated outdoor structure forms a natural stage,
which is why the Battery Gadsden Cultural Center’s board
has chosen it to be the venue for many productions. Last
October, “Shakespeare by the Sea” took over the space with
unique renditions of “Hamlet,” “Romeo & Juliet” and “A
Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Bands such as Wentworth
Underground have jammed out at the historic site as well.
“I love the feeling I get when I’m driving to and from
the island over the causeway,” said Clark, who married his
wife at Sunrise Presbyterian Church, on Breach Inlet. “The
Ben Sawyer Bridge is one of my favorites and is iconic on
the Intracoastal Waterway. There is a relaxed vibe I get
when I’m on the island, like being transported to a simpler
time and space. I think Sullivan’s Island is also a great place
to connect with nature.”
Perhaps one of the most exciting days came when
Dorothea Benton Frank hosted a book signing to raise
funds for the center. The New York Times best-selling
author and longtime Sullivan’s Island resident read passages
from her personal journals. She recounted her youthful
summertime days that were dotted with carefree bike rides
and hammock sways.
“We are working on an oral history project where we
will interview, film and document Islanders who have been
around for a long time,” said Clark. “We want to be able
to remember what it used to be like, from the people who
lived here. Those shared memories and fun stories will
hopefully be available for future generations to come.”
For more on The Battery Gadsden Cultural Center, including
ways to get involved, visit .