Enriching Interpretation at Magnolia Plantation & Gardens

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens continued its commitment to thoughtful and inclusive storytelling by welcoming George H. McDaniel as its Director of Interpretation in 2024. George concluded his time at Magnolia in May 2025. We are grateful for his contributions and wish him the best in his future endeavors.

A Passion for Public History

With an extensive background in historic site interpretation, McDaniel brought a wealth of experience in researching and narrating the complex histories of the American South. Prior to joining Magnolia Plantation & Gardens, he served as a historian for the South Carolina Battleground Preservation Trust, where he contributed to projects centered on 18th-century Charleston history, including the Charleston Liberty Trail. His work also played a crucial role in securing Francis Beidler Forest’s designation as a site within the National Park Service’s National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom program.

Commitment to Inclusive Storytelling

During his time at Magnolia, McDaniel’s approach to interpretation was rooted in telling the full, multifaceted history of the site.

“It is a great honor and responsibility to serve as Director of Interpretation,” McDaniel once shared. “I am excited to continue telling the stories of all the people who have lived and worked at this amazing site along the Ashley River—stories of the Drayton family, enslaved and free African Americans, and Indigenous communities who were here before all others. My goal is to find creative ways to engage both the local community and visitors alike.”

A Scholar and Educator in Southern History

McDaniel’s academic journey reflects his deep engagement with public history. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Davidson College and later pursued a master’s degree at the Center for the Study of Southern Culture at the University of Mississippi. His graduate research focused on African American and public history, with an emphasis on interpretation at historic sites.

While in Oxford, Mississippi, McDaniel managed two museums: the L.Q.C. Lamar House, home of the 19th-century politician and Supreme Court justice, and the Burns-Belfry Museum and Multicultural Center, which preserves the legacy of the first African American church established in Oxford after the Civil War. Additionally, he contributed to the University of Mississippi’s Slavery Working Group and co-founded L.O.C.A.L. (Lafayette Oxford Community Archive Library) to help preserve the history of the region’s African American communities.

impact at magnolia

During his tenure, McDaniel helped strengthen Magnolia’s interpretive programming and laid the groundwork for new initiatives that deepened visitor engagement with the site’s layered history. His work advanced Magnolia’s mission to center inclusive storytelling, educate the public, and honor the many communities connected to the land.

plan your visit

Magnolia Plantation & Gardens continues to expand its interpretive efforts, ensuring that visitors leave with a deeper understanding of the plantation’s history and its place in the broader Lowcountry story. Whether through guided tours, educational programs, or special initiatives, Magnolia invites guests to engage with the past in new and enlightening ways.

Plan your visit today to explore the stories that shape Magnolia’s legacy. For more information on upcoming programs, follow Magnolia Plantation & Gardens on social media.