ABOUT US
friends of charleston national parks
OUR STORY
The Friends of Charleston National Parks traces its origins back to 1999, when a small, privately-owned parcel of land adjacent to Fort Moultrie faced the threat of development. The landowner intended to build a 38-foot-high home, which would have obstructed the historic sight line between Fort Moultrie and Fort Sumter. Since the National Park Service was unable to purchase the property at market value, a non-profit organization was formed to tackle the issue. Thus, the Fort Sumter-Fort Moultrie Historical Trust was born, partnering with other groups to acquire the land and transfer it to the National Park Service.
Over the following two decades, the Trust became the official friends group of Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie, working closely with both sites on a variety of projects. In 2009, the Trust took a lead role in planning and executing local commemorative events for the Sesquicentennial of the Civil War. These efforts included creating historical markers, hosting public ceremonies, and organizing speaker presentations. During this time, the Trust also launched the “Kids to the Park” program, giving local 4th graders the opportunity to visit Fort Sumter—often their first time on a boat. On the preservation front, the Trust established the “Adopt a Cannon” program, raising funds to restore and protect dozens of historic artillery pieces at the forts.
By the end of the Sesquicentennial, the Trust had broadened its scope. In 2011, it became the financial sponsor of Thompson Park at Breach Inlet, which commemorates the Revolutionary War battle that took place there on June 28, 1776. The following year, the Trust absorbed the mission and assets of the Friends of Historic Snee Farm, extending its reach to the Charles Pinckney National Historic Site in Mount Pleasant.
In 2022, the organization entered a period of transformation. With the hiring of its first Executive Director, Cheri Yates, and the addition of administrative support, the Trust focused on growing membership, enhancing fundraising, and expanding community outreach. After the National Park Service acquired the Charleston Light and the Sullivan’s Island Life Saving Station, the organization rebranded to reflect its wider mission. In September 2022, the Fort Sumter-Fort Moultrie Historical Trust became the Friends of Charleston National Parks, embarking on a new era of support for the National Park Service properties in the greater Charleston area.
Guiding Values
LISTENING
Listening is our source of insight, empathy and innovation.
RESPECT
Our best work is produced when we treat each other with respect.
COLLABORATION
By working together, we achieve our best outcomes.
ACCOUNTABILITY
We are accountable and transparent to our donors and stakeholders.
GRATITUDE
We are thankful for our supporters.
IMPACT
We are result-oriented and bold in our actions.
FCNP builds pathways toward educating our community about Charleston’s substantive role in American history, preserving its important landmarks, and learning about our shared legacy.
MEET OUR PASSIONATE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Cheri Yates
PRESIDENT
J. Brett Bennett
VICE PRESIDENT
Cliff Roberts
TREASURER
Hugh Lane III
SECRETARY
Jim Morgan
Michael Barrett, PhD
Lee Brockington
William Byrd
George A Douglas
William Everett
Frank Hamilton
Richard Hatcher
Russell Horres, PhD
William E. Jenkinson III
Guilds Hollowell
Bill Marshall
W. Michael Walsh, MD
Camille M. Wingate
Rob Shenk
MEET OUR ADVISORS
E Richard McGeorge
Jim Thompson
John Tucker
Doug MacIntyre
Robert Rosen
Kyle Sinisi, PhD
William Davies
Tony Kinn
Laurence Hutto, Jr
Walter Curry, Jr, PhD
A Message from Former Park Superintendent J. Tracy Stakely
On behalf of the National Park Service, and the staff at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, I want to thank the Friends of Charleston National Parks for their partnership and ongoing support. The work of committed and engaged partners like the Friends is integral in the National Park Service’s efforts to preserve significant places and stories, offering educational and recreational opportunities for visitors from across our nation and around the world. This partnership is a good example of how local commitment to heritage preservation allows private citizens and park managers to cooperatively address the challenges and opportunities of managing historic sites. Our collaboration gives us more opportunities to offer programming that connects with the public and makes history relevant. It helps us leave parks and resources in better condition than when we inherited them. In the coming years, the challenges we face will become more intense as we work to address park resource deterioration from age, the effects of stronger and more frequent weather events, and impacts from increased visitation. We know we can achieve greater success in addressing such issues through continued collaboration with partners. Past and ongoing support from the Friends has led to the completion of important projects, including: Producing new park-based educational videos Funding historic cannon conservation Supporting Kids to the Parks, a program that brings hundreds of local school children to Fort Sumter Looking forward, we aim to identify new opportunities for collaboration. Some large-scale projects in the pipeline include: Implementing a park-based historic preservation maintenance skills program to train park staff and others in maintaining historic resources Improving the seawalls and historic brickwork at Fort Sumter to better protect the fort Stabilizing the Charleston Light to ensure the sustainability of this well-loved regional landmark There are smaller opportunities as well. Leading up to 2026, as part of the national America 250 commemoration of our country’s founding, we will work to expand interpretation and education by identifying and sharing new and untold stories of the diverse people who have historical connections to all our sites. Additionally, we are planning improvements to the visitor experience at Fort Moultrie, a site whose history has direct ties to our country’s founding and historical development. We have a lot going on now and a lot planned for the future. We look forward to many more years of successful partnership with the Friends and our other partners to achieve shared goals. Together, we can ensure that the Charleston area national park sites continue to be a draw for visitors seeking to learn about our nation’s history and the people, places, and stories that give the South Carolina Lowcountry a special place in the American story.
OUR PARTNERS
The Friends of Charleston National Parks is grateful to its many partners for helping preserve and protect Charleston’s historic sites, ensuring their legacy endures for generations to come.
Friends of Charleston National Parks (FCNP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich history of several iconic American landmarks—Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island, The Charles Pinckney National Historic Site, the Charleston Light on Sullivan’s Island, and Liberty Square in downtown Charleston.
FCNP plays a critical role in filling the funding gaps left by limited government support, raising essential funds to sustain programs, preservation efforts, and educational initiatives that would otherwise be under-resourced. Government funding alone doesn’t cover the full scope of what’s needed to protect these invaluable sites, so FCNP bridges this gap, ensuring these historical landmarks are maintained and celebrated for their cultural and educational significance.
The organization also works tirelessly to educate the public about the landmark events that occurred at these sites, from the pivotal start of the American Civil War at Fort Sumter to the resilient defense of Charleston by American Revolutionaries at Fort Moultrie. In addition, FCNP is committed to preserving the integrity of these structures through restoration efforts, so future generations can connect with and learn from these remarkable chapters of American history.
Interim Parks Superintendent, Dawn Davis
Dawn Davis is the interim superintendent of Charleston’s National Parks. She began her NPS career as a seasonal interpretive ranger at Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie in 1990, transitioning to a permanent role in 1991. Over three decades, she held numerous positions, including assistant chief of interpretation and chief of interpretation, where she managed programs, visitor operations, and key events. Her achievements include leading commemorations for the Civil War’s 150th anniversary, the NPS Centennial, and the U.S. Mint’s America the Beautiful Quarter event honoring Fort Moultrie. Most recently, Davis served as the first permanent superintendent of Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument in Kentucky. A recipient of the NPS Southeast Region’s Employee of the Year award in 2012 for her work on the Civil War sesquicentennial, Davis is known for her commitment to education, community engagement, and mentorship within the NPS. Davis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Politics with a minor in History from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina.