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The National Park Service invites the public to join author Joyce V. Coakley as she celebrates the release of her new book Sweetgrass Baskets and the Gullah Tradition, with a book-signing at Charles Pinckney National Historic Site on Saturday, March 11th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Ms. Coakley presents a remarkable pictorial history of a fascinating art and people. She is a Mount Pleasant native, expert basket maker, writer, and historian. “Gullah is the spice of Lowcountry life,” writes Coakley in her look at life in Mount Pleasant and Christ Church Parish.

The publication of this book coincides with a series of special free Gullah cultural programs co-sponsored by the National Park Service and the Town of Mount Pleasant. Ms. Coakley joins PawleysIsland quilters Vernelle and Andrew Rodrigues and basketmaker Vera Manigault and friends performing “Sista Sista” for an afternoon of Gullah Heritage. Charles Pinckney National Historic Site preserves a remnant of old “Snee Farm,” the Christ Church Parish plantation of founding father Charles Pinckney. Located at 1254 Long Point Road in Mount Pleasant, the park is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. except for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Days.