Professor Elijah Gadsden teaches American history and Gullah Geechee Studies and serves as curator of the Heritage Center in historic Old Main. His family has lived along Cooper’s Run for at least seven generations, and his great-great-grandfather was among the students who made the bricks for Old Main by hand in 1902.
Professor Gadsden led the creation of the new Gullah Geechee Studies certificate in partnership with community elders, basket makers, and storytellers. He also curated the current exhibit honoring the 1902 brickmakers, working closely with their descendants. He leads the popular “Bricks & Belonging” walking tours and is always happy to talk with visitors about the history of the college and the Lowcountry.
Education
- M.A., History, College of Charleston
- B.A., History, South Carolina State University