| Charleston has its iconic quirks – from sidewalks made of waves of uneven brick, slightly slanted houses and... jiggly benches? |
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Joggling board in CofC’s Cougar Mall | Photo by the CHStoday team
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You may recognize this funky seat from outside of Hyman’s Seafood, College of Charleston campus buildings or historic Charleston homes.The joggling board may seem odd, but like most things in Charleston, there is a hefty history behind why it is the way it is. In fact, these benches have connections to flirting, exercise and Scotland.
Flashback to 1803. Mary Benjamin Kinloch Huger went to help take care of her brother, Cleland Kinlock, on Acton Plantation in Sumter SC. after his wife passed away. While there, Huger developed rheumatism, a condition that deteriorates one’s joints, tissues, and muscles. Because of her ailment, she was no longer able to enjoy carriage rides, so she wrote to her family back in Scotland expressing her troubles.
They replied with plans for an innovative bench that would simulate the horse-drawn rides she adored. The bouncy movement also provided exercise for Huger that she was unable to accomplish regularly.
But the joggling board was not appreciated exclusively at Acton Plantation – the bench populated porches all over the Lowcountry by the 1880s. The seats’ prominence temporarily declined leading up to WWII as a result of limited access to wood but surged again in the 1960s after Charleston local, Thomas Thornhill, co-founder of Old Charleston Joggling Board Company, started building wood pieces for people in his basement.
The seat is historically made of longleaf pine but is more commonly made with yellow pine today. The limber lumber allows several people to sit without the bench breaking. But don’t let that fool you – three (or seven) is a crowd.
These benches are also known to be used in courtship. Two lovebirds sitting on opposite ends of the bench can slowly inch closer together as the bench wobbles.
The typical deep green color of the boards has a deep history, too. After the Civil War ended, the government sent people from the North down to Charleston with buckets of black paint in hopes of fixing the damage the city suffered from the war. But, locals found the “Yankee paint” upsetting so they added “Rebel Yellow” to make the color their own. This color rendition is now known as “Charleston Green”.
Click the button below to see some vintage photos of these wobbly benches.
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| Which is not a use of the joggling board? |
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To cuddle closer while courting |
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To take the perfect to nap |
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Keep scrolling to find the answer in The Wrap.
Send to someone you want to get wobbly with using these social share buttons.
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Coronavirus
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○ On Sunday, DHEC announced 1,366 new cases of coronavirus and 5 additional deaths in SC. That brings the total number of cases in SC of COVID-19 to 33,221, and the total deaths to 712.
○ Of those new cases, 239 were reported in Charleston County, 57 were in Berkeley County, and 43 were in Dorchester County. One reported death occurred in Charleston County.
○ The SC House has approved a plan to allocate the CARES Act federal funding the state received. The plan includes expanding broadband access across the state, testing and rebuilding the unemployment trust fund. Roughly $600 million in funding will be saved for future COVID-19 response through the end of this year. The bill will need to be signed by the governor to go into effect. (WIS)
○ Government leaders are urging anyone who has visited a beach in South Carolina to get tested for COVID-19. While positive cases continue to increase, the likelihood of being exposed to the virus, especially in a densely populated area such as the beach, also rises. (The State)
○ Following temporary closure due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19, Hazel Park Playground (70 East Bay St.) is expected to resume normal operations today. The employee had not been at the facility since June 19, and extensive cleaning and sanitation took place over the weekend.
○ Additionally, James Island Recreation Complex (1088 Quail Dr.), which experienced the same situation + took the same safety measures as Hazel Park Playground, is expected to resume normal operations today.
○ In April, local healthcare workers were sent to the frontlines in New York to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Read MUSC nurse Mitch Haverstuhl’s account of the events leading up to his departure, his time spent in New York + his return home here. (The Post and Courier)
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Hey, there. Looking for today’s #MustDo events? In accordance with the
CDC’s recommendations regarding public gatherings, we have decided to postpone public event coverage for the time being. We look forward to bringing you Charleston’s #MustDo events soon (until then, feel free to submit your virtual events
here).
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#CHStoday
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Local business Chucktown Flowers organized a campaign for donations of flower bouquets as a way of saying “thank you” to the nurse managers at MUSC Health for all their hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic. 💐
On Mon., June 15, 38 nurse managers received these beautiful bouquets.
In the words of Chucktown Flowers owner Vicki Anthos, “Nurse managers work behind the scenes so the public and patients are not aware of the hard work they perform to keep a hospital working efficiently. They deserve a great deal of appreciation, just like the nurses and doctors.”
Anthos plans to provide bouquets to 260 nurses at a different hospital in the near future.
If members of the public or a corporation would like to donate, email Chucktown Flowers. |
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News Notes
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Weather
○ 93º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain
Tide
○ Low: 9:24 a.m. + 10:06 p.m.
○ High: 2:56 a.m. + 3:51 p.m.
VirtualEvent
○ TEDxCharleston will host a free virtual interactive discussion tomorrow (June 30) at 6:30 p.m. The event, titled Pandemic in the Lowcountry, will be hosted by Post and Courier journalist Tony Bartelme + two infectious disease experts. Register here.
ReOpen
○ The West Ashley Farmers Market (55 Sycamore Ave.) reopened as an essentials-only market on Saturday. During its operation, vendors and patrons will be required to wear masks, maintain social distancing + follow all other CDC protocols related to COVID-19. Future market dates will be announced on the market’s social media pages.
Announced
○ Wild Common (103 Spring St.) has temporarily paused a la carte restaurant dining. It will remain open for Chef’s Tables, take-out and private dining.
Cause
○ Local nonprofit Warrior Surf Foundation announced its 4th Annual Surfboard Auction. Through August 22, 10 surfboards + other items from various companies can be bid on. A live stream will take place on August 19 at 5 p.m. to show items up for auction. All bids will go to the foundation to support their mission of providing resources for the community and veterans struggling with mental health and PTSD. Bids can be placed here. (Holy City Sinner)
Development
○ Developer East West Partners announced the purchase of 13.8 acres of oceanfront property on Kiawah Island. The company plans to develop a luxury condominium community in collaboration with Kiawah Partners. Plans include luxury oceanfront condominiums + private beach club for community residents and members of the Kiawah Island Club. Construction on the project will begin in 2021.
State
○ SC ranked 41 on the list of states with the highest tax burden in a WalletHub survey. The ranking looked at the proportion of total income SC residents will pay towards three different types of local + state taxes. New York ranked number 1 with the highest tax burden while Alaska ranked the lowest. (WalletHub)
Arts
○ The South Carolina Watermedia Society is hosting "SCWS Paint Out: Fun For the Fourth", a free virtual paint event to celebrate creativity + love of country. The event runs from June 27 to July 5 and is open to both members and non-members. Check out the rules for the event + get started here. 🖌️ |
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#Travel
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Kayakers on the river at Saluda Shoals | Photo by Forrest Clonts
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Looking for a change of scenery? How about one with open-air artisan markets, elevated Southern fare, patio dining + outdoor fun?
Just 2 hours from CHS, Columbia SC has a lot to offer as a day trip or weekend getaway, with an eclectic combo of big city energy, small town charm + natural beauty. And with added safety precautions in place, there’s plenty to do (safely). Ⓟ
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#Shareworthy
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The Wrap
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Answered: C. While the joggling board has many quirky uses, taking a nap is definitely not one of them – as you may find yourself falling on the ground.
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