‘Legends and Lore’ lecture series

The Town of Bluffton will host a series of lunchtime talks in May as part of Historic Preservation Month.

The “Mobile Symposium: Bluffton Legends & Lore” series will be led by Glen Umberger, the town’s historic preservationist. Talks will be held each Thursday in May from noon to 12:30 p.m. at the Town of Bluffton Welcome Center, 111 Calhoun St.

The schedule includes four topics focused on local history. The May 7 session will cover the Squire Pope Carriage House. On May 14, the topic will be “Who Was Squire Pope?” The May 21 session will focus on the Church of the Cross. The series concludes May 28 with a talk on the Burning of Bluffton.

Umberger has served as Bluffton’s historic preservationist since 2021, overseeing preservation efforts within the Old Town Bluffton Historic District. He holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in architectural history from the Savannah College of Art and Design and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware.

Before joining the Town of Bluffton, Umberger managed special projects for the New York Landmarks Conservancy. He also served as an adjunct lecturer at New York University and worked as a docent and lecturer at Philadelphia City Hall.

The talks are part of the town’s observance of Historic Preservation Month and will highlight people, places and events that have shaped Bluffton’s history. For more information call 843-706-7800.