Land, Liberty, & Loyalty: The Drayton Hall and Middleton Place Legacies

As we continue to explore our nation’s 250th anniversary, it is a pleasure to host presenters Amber Satterthwaite (Drayton Hall Preservation Trust) and Brandon M. Stone (Middleton Place Foundation) for an exploration of the American Revolutionary War through the lives of two founding fathers—William Henry Drayton and Arthur Middleton. This lecture will examine the friendship and similar personal journeys, the formation of their political beliefs, and their extraordinary, diverging contributions to the cause of American independence – and how different people could reimagine the connections to land and power, pursue liberty, and navigate competing loyalties during a time of profound upheaval.

About the Brandon Stone

Born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina, Brandon has and always will call the Carolina Lowcountry his home. Graduating from Coastal Carolina University in 2019 with a Bachelor’s degree in History, Brandon began his career with the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust as a Historical Interpreter. While completing his Master’s Degree in Public History at the College of Charleston, he took on the role of Volunteer and Interpretive Coordinator at the Edmondston-Alston House, a house museum operated by the Middleton Place Foundation. Brandon now proudly serves as the Director of Research and Preservation for Middleton Place. Brandon takes great pride in working for the Middleton Place Foundation alongside a fantastic team, where each day is a privilege to be part of stewarding a National Historic Landmark.

About Amber Satterthwaite

Amber Satterthwaite is the Curator of Education and Museum Programs at Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, joining the staff in April 2019. Amber finds Drayton Hall to be a constant source of motivation: the resilience of the people, the power of the architecture, and the dedication to preserving the place and its stories are daily reminders of the ability of history to energize and inspire. Amber received a B.A. in Anthropology from East Carolina University and an M.A. in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University. Before moving to the Lowcountry, she was the Director of Education at Tryon Palace in her hometown of New Bern, North Carolina. She has held positions at Somerset Place and Colonial Williamsburg, working in research, interpretation, and museum collections.