New hoodoo exhibit in Beaufort to fascinate, spark the imagination
Chicken foot charms.
Hoodoo dolls.
Blue root elixir.
It's all part of the magic and lore of "Doctuh Buzzard's Hoodoo Awakening" -- opening Thursday, Oct. 1, at the Beaufort History Museum in downtown Beaufort.
The brainchild of husband-wife artist team Bernice and Andy Tate, the new exhibit will shine a light on the mysterious art of "hoodoo."
Not to be confused with its close cousin, voodoo, hoodoo blends elements of Christianity with herbal medicine and the supernatural. And at the center of the exhibit is its most famous practitioner -- Doctor Buzzard, or Stepheney Robinson, a longtime root doctor who lived on St. Helena Island from 1885 to 1947, according to Beaufort County Library records. Robinson was a rival of Beaufort County Sheriff J.E. McTeer but the two eventually became friends.
"There is so much history in this place and it's just really magical," Carol Lauvray, a presiding board officer for the museum, said.
An Ohio native, Lauvray said that like many visitors to the area, she was fascinated by the subject matter. The exhibit will only further spark the imagination.
"Being an outsider, it reminds me of driving down to St. Helena to Lands End and seeing the moss drape trees and the lights appearing," she said. "It's kind of ghostly and other-wordly."
And Lauvray says as more people move to or visit the area and discover Sea Island culture, hoodoo and the rich history of Beaufort County in general, this attraction to learn more will only continue to spread.
"It's interesting that something that seems like folklore, is actually still alive and well in the Lowcountry," she said.
"Doctuh Buzzard's Hoodoo Awakening" will run, appropriately enough, through Halloween night.
IF YOU GO
"Doctuh Buzzard's Hoodoo Awakening" runs Oct. 1-31 at the Beaufort History Museum, located in The Arsenal, 713 Craven Street. Admission is $5 per person and $4 for seniors. Children younger than 10 and active military and their families are admitted free.
An Opening Party featuring music and refreshments starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in the courtyard of The Arsenal. "Doctuh Buzzard" played by Andy Tate, will give several performances throughout the night. Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for the general public. Hoodoo items such as hoodoo dolls, chicken foot charms and a large array of blue root elixir bottles will be available for purchase. Tickets for the party are available at www.beauforthistorymuseum.com.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
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This story was originally published September 24, 2015 at 12:10 PM with the headline "New hoodoo exhibit in Beaufort to fascinate, spark the imagination."