Meet Author George W. McDaniel

Author George McDaniel will discuss his experiences researching the recent history of Drayton Hall Plantation, South Carolina, as well as finding ways for this site to serve as a gathering place for diverse members of the local population.  He'll also cover some examples of historic sites in and around Burke that remain similarly vital today and discuss the role of historical societies in building community.

About the Presenter

George W. McDaniel, PhD, is the President of McDaniel Consulting, LLC, a strategy firm that helps organizations use history to build bridges within itself and to its broader constituents. For 25 years, he served as the Executive Director of Drayton Hall, a historic site in Charleston, SC. A native of Atlanta, he earned a BA from Sewanee, a MAT (history) from Brown University, and PhD (history) from Duke. For 40 years, he built a career working in education and history museums, beginning with the Smithsonian Institution, and earning awards at the local, state, and national levels. Following the 2015 massacre at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, he helped lead volunteer efforts with the church and other organizations to enhance racial conciliation and healing.