Celebrating John Laurens: A Founding Son

Something revolutionary is coming to Daniel Island this fall! The Daniel Island Historical Society and the Berkeley County Francis Marion Commission, also known as Berkeley 250, will spotlight a key figure in the American Revolution on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, as the organizations present “Celebrating John Laurens: A Founding Son” at the Daniel Pointe Retirement Center on Daniel Island.

The event will be held in the theatre/auditorium at the Daniel Pointe Retirement Community, located at 514 Robert Daniel Drive, Daniel Island, SC. The “meet and greet,” from 6:30 to 7 p.m., will offer an opportunity for attendees to interact with the panelists before the program begins. Cake and refreshments will be served immediately following the program, in celebration of Laurens’ 271st birthday (he was born October 28, 1754). The panel discussion will be filmed as part of an Education Grant the Actors’ Theatre of South Carolina received from the SC250 Sestercentennial Commission.

The October 21 event on Daniel Island will feature a panel discussion with scholars Alexia Jones Helsley, who appears in the film; Damon L. Fordham, history professor at The Citadel; Clarence Felder, who portrays John’s father, Henry; and writer/director/producer Chris Weatherhead. Selected clips from the film will be shown to illuminate key aspects of Laurens’ life. The panel discussion will include Laurens’ military combat, his letters, his diplomatic trip to the French king, and his constant fight for all to attain the dream of freedom in America in the late 18th century.

A Revolutionary War hero from Charleston, Laurens fought tirelessly for the freedom of slaves while serving as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington and engaging in four battles. Laurens became a lieutenant colonel before his untimely death in 1782. His journey is the focus of a docudrama film, John Laurens’ War, funded through a grant from South Carolina Humanities and many private donors. The award-winning film was produced by the Actors’ Theater of South Carolina’s film division, Moving Images Group, and is in world distribution through BMG Global/Twin Engines.

About the Daniel Island Historical Society:
The mission of the Daniel Island Historical Society is to “Preserve and promote the rich and unique history of both Daniel Island and the greater Cainhoy peninsula for the benefit of the community, by engaging in advocacy for historical preservation and sharing the area’s ‘story’ with both residents and visitors.” www.dihistoricalsociety.com

About Berkeley 250:
The Berkeley County Francis Marion Commission exists to encourage and publicize heritage and cultural tourism in Berkeley County by (1) promoting and celebrating its unique Revolutionary Era history (places, events, research, stories and people) and (2) educating and engaging Berkeley County residents with Revolutionary Era programming and the preservation/conservation of American Revolutionary assets. https://www.berkeley250.org/

About the Actors’ Theater of South Carolina:
Actors’ Theater of South Carolina (ATSC) is a professional entertainment company celebrating 30 years producing award-winning films and theatre. The founders spent over 40 years in the industry in London, New York, Hollywood and Canada before coming to South Carolina. ATSC offers productions on history, fine literature and unsung heroes of the Southern campaign of the American War for Independence. They also offer training for actors, writers, and directors. https://actorstheaterofsc.org/.