Lectures on Location: Lost Charleston with Leigh Handal

Since the 1920s, Charleston’s communities have continuously put forth concerted efforts to both define and preserve the city’s historic merit. Charleston is a city not without its share of losses, but by looking in all the right places, many of its secrets are soon revealed. Join celebrated author and historian, Leigh Handal, for a look at "Lost Charleston" going back all the way to the dawn of photography in the 1860s, Leigh will discuss the treasures lost and the secrets left behind. 

In an engaging NEW format for The Charleston Festival, we hit the road for this special series of educational programs. Lectures on Location invite guests to a unique location where they will meet our expert for an intriguing and engaging program. 

More about Leigh Handal: 

A native South Carolinian, Leigh Jones Handal has been an avid student of Lowcountry history since she was a Brownie Scout. A graduate of the College of Charleston with an MA degree in journalism from the University of South Carolina, Leigh has been a licensed city tour guide for more than 25 years and owns her own tour company, Charleston Raconteurs (charlestonraconteurs.com). As Director of Communications and Public Programs at Historic Charleston Foundation (1998-2010), Leigh directed the foundation’s annual spring house and garden tours and Charleston International Antiques Show. She was tapped by the Mayor’s Office to serve as co-editor of the city’s official history and tour guide training manual, released in 2011, which is still in use today.

Her first book, Lost Charleston was released 2019 and her second, Storied & Scandalous Charleston, in 2022. Her next book, Charleston Then & Now, is set for release May 9, 2024. In addition, she writes the “Do You Know Your Lowcountry” column for the Charleston Post & Courier. She created and appears on the Lowcountry Live show's “I Love the Lowcountry” series (WCIV-TV4) and has lectured extensively for a wide range of groups on Charleston history.