Historic Beaufort Foundation’s 2026 Annual Membership Meeting June 2 spotlighted retiring local historian Dr. Stephen Wise, the longtime Parris Island Museum Director and Cultural Resources Manager and an acknowledged expert in 300 years of South Carolina and Lowcountry history.
Wise is part of HBF’s acclaimed annual Winter Lecture Series along with Dr. John McCardell and Dr. Larry Rowland, and since 1983 has led the museum at Parris Island Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
The 59th annual meeting of Historic Beaufort Foundation showcased the impact of more than 400 volunteers who help with educational programs and events large and small, and recognitions of leaders of the May 2026 Lafayette Soiree. But the night’s spotlight was on Wise.
“Dr. Wise has devoted more than 40 years to sharing and preserving the military history and legacy of the US Marine Corps and the Lowcountry,” said Lise Sundrla, HBF executive director. “His passion and dedication to ‘telling Beaufort’s story’ has enriched the community’s knowledge and appreciation of Beaufort’s unique history and ensured its preservation for future generations.
“Beaufort is a better place because Dr. Wise has willingly shared his knowledge. In 1944, a visionary group of citizens led by Howard Danner stepped forward to save the historic John Mark Verdier House from demolition—a monumental rescue that sparked Beaufort’s preservation movement and the formation of this Foundation,” she said at the ceremony.
“It is only fitting that an award bearing his name goes to someone who shares that
same devotion to our shared past,” Sundrla said. “It is my honor, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of Historic Beaufort Foundation, to present to you today our highest recognition—the Howard Danner Lifetime Achievement Award for Historic Preservation.”
It is the first time the Danner Lifetime Achievement Award has been presented since 2019, when Rick Wightman received it.
The meeting and presentation by Sundrla reaffirmed Historic Beaufort Foundation’s mission and ongoing efforts to preserve and protect the architectural, cultural, and historical treasures that make the Beaufort community unique.
“From centuries-old homes and churches to streets lined with live oaks and historic neighborhoods, Beaufort’s National Historic Landmark District reflects nearly 300 years of architectural and cultural history and the people who shaped it,” Sundrla said. “Historic Beaufort Foundation helps preserve this remarkable legacy while advocating for thoughtful growth and community livability.”
Special recognition at the meeting went to 2026 Soiree hosts May 16, Denny and Sandy Wiener.
As part of the annual session, members elected new board members and officers. Re-elected as chair was Rob Montgomery. Donna Dehncke will serve as vice-chair with Marshall Bassett as treasurer. Larry Haskell rounds out the board officers as secretary.
New appointments to the board include Rob Wynne, who with his wife Meg were chairs of the Soiree this year with Margaret and Sherwood Miler. The Wynnes also chaired the sponsor committee for the Soiree in 2025. Wynne owns Sea Island Insurance Group.
Also appointed were Lloyd Williams, who has served on HBF’s preservation committee for more than five years and is a broker with Lowcountry Real Estate; and Margaret Kincheloe, who has served on the Lafayette Soiree Committee the past three years after relocating here from Virginia where she taught school and volunteered, including a decade with George Mason University’s Arts Gala Committee. Each will serve a three-year term.
Conway Ivy, past chairman of HBF, a preservationist and longtime HBF supporter, returned to the Board of Trustees in July 2025 to fill an unexpired term. On June 2, the board approved him for a three-year term. Ivy owns the William Wigg Barnwell House, one of the houses the Foundation saved from demolition and assisted with relocation to current site on King Street.
About the HBF Board Officers:
Rob Montgomery, HBF’s chair elected for a fourth term, is a well-known local architect and planner. He has served on HBF’s Board of Trustees since 2015 and has been the chair of the Preservation Committee where he primarily was involved with the Revolving Fund projects, easement protection and management and site monitoring. He has been a long-time champion of the preservation, maintenance and protection of the John Mark Verdier House, from repairing stair rails to managing the 2021 renovation program.
Donna Brooks Dehncke, vice-chair, is a graduate of Avery College, with advanced studies at the University of Virginia. She is retired from DDL OMNI, an engineering and technical services company, as a program manager with specific expertise in all aspects of business management. Donna has actively volunteered with Historic Beaufort Foundation for the last 11 years, serving as the co-chair and chair of the Lafayette Soiree, and as chair of HBF’s Development Committee and Events programs for the past seven years.
Marshall Bassett is the treasurer for Historic Beaufort Foundation, serving on the Finance Committee since 2020 and the Board of Trustees since 2022. He retired to Beaufort in 2016 from a career in investment management in New York and Philadelphia after earning degrees from Duke University.
Larry Haskell, the board secretary, is a leader in the field of non-profit development, He has been instrumental in guiding and streamlining HBF’s membership and giving processes. He has served in many roles for HBF, including as a leader in board development efforts, a docent for the Fall Tour and Architects Tours, and a Verdier House greeter and volunteer.
Appointed to lead committees were:
- Rob Montgomery, Preservation Committee
- Marshall Bassett, Finance Committee
- Drew Scallan, Operations Committee
- Ivey Savage, Development Committee
- Sarah Dyson, Verdier House Committee
- and John McCardell, History Advisory Committee.
HBF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit education foundation created to preserve, protect, and present sites and artifacts of historic, architectural, and cultural interest throughout Beaufort County, South Carolina.
