MORNING HEADLINES | For 50 years, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum has stood as a home for history. The decks of ships and stories of combat have made a lasting mark in the Charleston Harbor, one far greater than ever imagined in 1976 when it opened.
As the museum begins its 50th-anniversary year of celebration, it is honoring the stories that transformed historic relics into one of the Lowcountry’s most meaningful institutions.
Throughout the year, visitors can explore special 50th-anniversary themes — the Charting 50 Years exhibit featuring an archival timeline of the museum’s milestones, and Throwback Day when patrons can visit the museum just as they did on opening day in 1976, and many other opportunities to share their own Patriots Point experiences.
To kick off a yearlong anniversary celebration, Patriots Point will host a special “throwback day” on Saturday. Admission will be just $2 — the same price guests paid on opening day in 1976.
The Saturday festivities begin at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and include:
- A ceremonial ribbon-cutting
- Celebration cake and family-friendly activities
- Special giveaways and prizes
- Historian talks throughout the day
- Access to the new Charting 50 exhibit
View our updated online calendar
Our new online events calendar has scores of events around the Lowcountry every day, making it the most detailed calendar of what’s happening in the area.
Just click on “Events” above at right under the black toolbar. You’ll be amazed at what you find.
- Also sign up today to get relevant newsletters on art, music, food, fun events, statewide news and opinion.
In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper
CP OPINION: The list we checked – and will keep checking in 2026. “The Charleston City Paper remains committed to solid local and state news coverage buttressed by an opinion section that provides leadership, advice and criticism about how the community is dealing with vital issues.”
- CP CARTOON: Ariail: The tinfoil hat brigade
- CP CARTOON: Stegelin: Buckle up.
- Hogan: Art it up in 2026 with these resolutions
CP FEATURE: 10 Statehouse issues to watch in 2026. With the S.C. House and Senate set to reconvene Jan. 13, Republican and Democratic lawmakers say they expect these 10 issues to be prominent in 2026.
CP NEWS: New film examines rise of the religious right’s politics. Charleston-area filmmaker Matthew Pridgen recently released a jarring documentary that calls on White Christians to examine how America’s racist religious, economic and political systems helped Donald Trump win two presidential elections.
CP NEWS: Sand erosion keeps 2 Lowcountry beach towns busy. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been hard at work since 2024 dumping sand on the barrier islands of Isle of Palms (IOP) and Sullivan’s Island as part of an ongoing renourishment project at Breach Inlet.
CP FOOD: Shokudô brings Japanese tavern dining to upper King Street. When Shokudô opened in late October, it introduced high-end Japanese izakaya (tavern) dining to the Charleston peninsula. Tokyo native and Executive Chef Masatomo “Masa” Hamaya is at the helm of the new project by Indigo Road Hospitality Group.
CP MUSIC: Celebrating jazz in 2026 in the Holy City. Charleston Jazz — one of the Lowcountry’s cornerstone nonprofit arts organizations dedicated to performance, education and community outreach — has unveiled a vibrant 2026 calendar that reflects its deep roots in jazz tradition and its ongoing commitment to presenting world-class artistry.
In other recent headlines
New things coming to patrons of Charleston County library, but not an app. In an increasingly digitally-driven world, one thing sets the Charleston County Public Library apart from its other metropolitan counterparts: There’s no mobile application dedicated to the physical media it provides.
Mount Pleasant park leads the EV charge. As the holiday travel rush winds down, electric vehicle drivers across the Lowcountry are rethinking how they plan their trips and where they stop to recharge.
Charleston’s 2025 flooding report: Another historically high year. Charleston Harbor saw 52 tidal flood events in 2025 — an average of once per week — continuing for a second year the decline in annual “sunny day” floods, according to the National Weather Service’s Coastal Flood Events Database and the Cooper River Tide Gage.
S.C. 2026 changes include liquor rules, hands-free driving, SNAP updates. New year, new rules. In South Carolina, residents will see a few changes to state law and updates to existing policies this year, including some long-awaited relief for business owners and more safety for drivers.
Mount Pleasant artist works with historians to recreate Revolutionary War battles. Dale Watson spent several years as an Army paratrooper before pursuing his passion for art as a career. Now, his military background, love of history and skills with a pencil and paintbrush converge to bring scenes and heroes from the Revolutionary War to life.
Flu cases on the rise with new strain harder on older people. Flu season is ramping up in the U.S., marked by a new strain that could make vaccines less effective. And the spread of the virus in S.C. is among the worst in the country.
First supermoon of 2026 arrives this weekend. Even the moon wants to ring in the New Year, with the first full supermoon of 2026 set to appear this weekend in a rare timing in the alignment of Earth, the moon and sun.
Support independent journalism
Keep the City Paperstrong with a holiday gift. This holiday season, please consider donating $25 — or even $100 — to support free, independent journalism at the Charleston City Paper. Every donation helps keep alive a voice of freedom. Your help is appreciated.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.