From the desk of Laura Pelzer 

Hap-Happiest New Year! Things are on warp speed at 164 King as we pick back up with the start of programming and special events on the horizon. Our cups are full as our doors reopen, and phones are ringing with excitement — particularly due to a few signature events in the next two weeks, that we would be remiss to not mention.

Twice a year, we celebrate the ingenuity of William Shakespeare in conjunction with the talent at the College of Charleston’s Theatre Department, through our Shakespeare on the Steps as well as our Guerrilla Shakespeare Cocktail, the latter happening next Wednesday, January 14. Now in its third year, this standing, reception-style format invites creative (and at times spontaneous!) interjection of various soliloquies, sonnets, and other abbreviated renditions of the Bard’s great works – a magical collaboration demonstrating the cultural longevity between organizations.

The following week, we will also host many of you for the Annual Members Meeting, a tradition that will mark the 278th meeting on the third Tuesday of January. Along with the business meeting where we honor the rotation of incoming and outgoing trustees, we will reflect on 2025, a great year with so many highs.

We will also welcome a very special and timely guest for our keynote, Michael Quinn, Emeritus President & past CEO of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, for an enlightened discussion on “The Legacy of the Declaration of Independence” – a fitting reflection as we kick off 2026, and 250 years of America.

Cheers to another fresh beginning, 

Laura Pelzer 

Executive Director