The Heritage Library Foundation

About Us

The Heritage Library is a non-profit library offering research assistance on ancestry in addition to classes and tours focused on Hilton Head Island’s history from prehistory to the modern era.

The Heritage Library owns two historic sites, Ft. Mitchel in Hilton Head Plantation and the Historic Zion Cemetery & Baynard Mausoleum on the corner of William Hilton Parkway & Mathews Drive.

The Library houses a wealth of historical information, old photographs, and maps of Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry.

USA Today named The Heritage Library one of the “10 Great Places to Trace Your Family Roots.” 

The library is an affiliated library of the Family History Search Library operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Patrons of the Library have access to major online databases at ancestry.com, fold3.com (formerly footnote.com), americanancestors.org (formerly NEHGS), and HeritageQuest Online through the Library’s network.

Mission Statement

The Heritage Library Foundation is established to promote and preserve local history and the study of genealogy.

The Foundation’s mission includes

  • Maintaining the Heritage Library, a history and genealogy center
  • Preserving historic sites: Fort Mitchel and Zion Chapel of Ease Cemetery
  • Facilitating activities that promote the study and enjoyment of history and genealogy

2024 Board of Directors & Officers

Officers

Ezra Callahan

President

Sarah Takacs

Vice President

Luana Graves Sellars 

Secretary

Peter Cooper

Treasurer

Board of Directors

Class of 2025

Ezra “Cal” Callahan

James MacLeod

Eric Washington

Class of 2026

Peter Cooper

Richard Dekker

Herbert Ford

Lydia Inglett

Thomas Kraft

James Robinson

Luana Graves Sellars

Class of 2027

Greg DeLoach

Laurette Doscher-Benfante

Nathaniel Jones

Galen Miller

Sarah Takacs

Executive Director

Barbara Catenaci

Board of Advisors

Bill Altstaetter

Sunni Bond

Dr. Emory Campbell

Dodi Eschenbach

Natalie Harvey

Dr. J. Brent Morris

Dee Phillips

Linda Piekut

Dr. Barrett Riordan

Dr. Larry Rowland

Iva Roberts Welton

Our Facility

2 Corpus Christi
The Professional Building, Suite 100
Hilton Head ISland, SC 29928

Mailing Address

PO Box 5950
Hilton head Island, SC 29938-5950

(843) 686.6560

For the use of our patrons we have: 

  • High speed internet access

  • High speed laser printer and scanner

  • Access from the library location to popular paid online services: ancestry.com, HeritageQuest online, fold3.com, americanancesters.com, and more

  • Dedicated holdings area where we have our book stacks and other materials

  • Wi-Fi

  • Experienced voluntgeer genealogists to assist with research (appointments are recommended)

Additionally

  • 7 computers with high speed access to the internet and our server-based resources

  • ScanPro Microfilm Reader, scanner, and printer

  • 5,000 volumes ranging in subject matter from ancestry research to published family histories, to state specific ancestry topics, to local, county and state history

  • Periodicals, vertical Files, microfilm, and more

Join The Library

As a Member, you will have full access to the library facilities, publications, classes and our online resources as well as the talents and expertise of our volunteers who will help with your research project.