Contributions in American Studies #0105: Preserving Charleston's Past, Shaping Its Future: The Life and Times of Susan Pringle Frost

In the post-Civil War period, Southern women slowly shook loose from the longstanding image of the lady on the pedestal and, through club work and group association, developed independence and began to affect public life. One such notable new woman was Charleston's Susan Pringle Frost (1873-1960). This book recounts the life story of this active woman, describing her background, philosophy, and accomplishments in the area of advancing the image of the woman in society. A member of an illustrious old family, Frost constantly challenged convention, as a federal district court stenographer, as a real estate woman with an office in the professional district, as a women's rights advocate. She helped get women admitted to the College of Charleston and headed city and state National Woman's Party efforts to achieve women's suffrage and later, the Equal Rights Amendment. Bland asserts that Frost is chiefly important, however, as an historic preservationist. In a rapidly expanding sweep, beginning about 1909, Miss Frost bought and renovated numerous houses in the historic East Battery ristrict. Indebtedness mounted, and to aid her efforts she founded and for many years headed the Preservation Society of Charleston. On several Charleston civic commissions and, in her seventies, still a member of the Zoning Board, Susan Frost was a life-long worker for city betterment and tirelessly monitored Charleston preservation efforts. Preserving Charleston's Past, Shaping Its Future shows how a preservation pioneer, Susan Pringle Frost, helped shape the Southern new woman image and served as a role model for women of all generations.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [185]-199) and index.

SIDNEY R. BLAND is Professor of History at James Madison University, where he has taught since 1965.

Foreword

Preface

Introduction

"The Pebble Has Been Dropped into Very Still Waters but The Circles Will Widen Rapidly"

"By The Grace of God I Will Leap Over The Wall"

Patron Saint of Preservation

A Small Band of Us

Preservation Watchdog

Conclusion

Bibliography

Index