The 2025 Horry County Museum Documentary Film Series continues with Saving Sandy Island. Part of the Carolina Stories Series by SCETV, this film details the struggle to save an exceptional South Carolina island and its Gullah community from development. Home to endangered species and rare long leaf pine forests, Sandy Island is the largest undeveloped freshwater island on the east coast. The program tells the story of the unique coalition of conservationists, state agencies, businessmen and community residents that came together to save this extraordinary place and preserve a historic culture.

Saving Sandy Island takes a multi-faceted look at the sensitive issue of environmental development along this stretch of South Carolina’s coastline. A year in the making, this program explores the complex issues surrounding the threat of development to Sandy Island, the residents and the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Perspectives from all the main players in the debate-from the residents who are descended from freed slaves, to the environmentalists, to the developers themselves-are offered during this unflinching look.

The film is free to the public.

For more information, call the Horry County Museum at 843-915-5320 or e-mail [email protected].