Women’s History Month: Mary-Julia Royall
 
Anyone who’s ever seriously dug into the history of Mount Pleasant has probably consulted Mary-Julia Royall’s Mount Pleasant: The Victorian Village (1996) and/or Mount Pleasant: The Friendly Town (2001). Royall was one of the most influential voices in researching and sharing the town’s history, serving as a founding member of the Town of Mount Pleasant Historical Commission, the official town historian for two events, and the first recipient of the Cresco Award for Historical Stewardship.
 
Royall was born Mary-Julia Campbell in Donalds, South Carolina in 1925, and graduated from Erskine College in 1945 and then from USC with a Master of Arts in English. She and Jervey DuPre Royall married in 1949 and moved to the Charleston area that same year. Her two books are based on her extensive collection of photographs of Mount Pleasant from the early 20th century. Her work highlighted the town’s Victorian origins, and it’s increased growth throughout the 1920s and 1930s following the construction of the Grace Bridge in 1926.
 
She passed away in Mount Pleasant in 2018. In addition to history, Royall was passionate about music, particularly the organ that she taught and played at local schools and churches. She also contributed to wildlife rehabilitation efforts.
 

For more information: Post and Courier, TOMPSC Oral History Transcription
 
Image Credit: TOMPSC Oral History Transcription
  
 
The Town of Mount Pleasant Historical Commission releases Quick Fact Fridays about the history of Mount Pleasant and about the Commission, its programs and activities. Historical facts are drawn largely from the Our History section of the Town's website and the Commission's own Mount Pleasant Historical website and app. Follow their links by clicking on the images below to discover what makes Mount Pleasant such a distinctive historical place! To receive Quick Fact Friday messages click here to subscribe. Email us at kmiller@tompsc.com if you're interested in learning more about a particular Mount Pleasant history topic!