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Stephen W. Cagle papers

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 0217

Collection Overview

The collection consists of the papers of Stephen W. Cagle from 1989 to 1995. The papers include photographs, correspondence, and realia relating to the Charleston Beach Bed & Breakfast at Folly Beach, South Carolina, run by Cagle and his partner Charles S. Holt. Photographs include the aftermath of Hurricane Hugo and pictures of friends and guests around the bed and breakfast. There are also photograph albums of the Lowcountry AIDS Services (now Palmetto Community Care) fundraiser Dining with Friends. There are materials relating to the stay of the cast of Les Miserables at the bed and breakfast. Correspondence includes letters about Hurricane Hugo, thank you notes from guests, and condolence letters after Holt’s death. There is also biographical and memorial information about Holt.

Dates

  • Creation: 1989-2001

Creator

Language of Material

Materials are in English

Access Restrictions

This collection is open for research.

Copyright Notice

The nature of the College of Charleston's archival holdings means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. Special Collections claims only physical ownership of most archival materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source.

Biographical Note

Stephen W. Cagle and his partner Charles S. “Chuck” Holt (1944-1995) owned the Charleston Beach Bed & Breakfast on Folly Beach, South Carolina. Cagle was born on April 18, 1944 in Concord, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill School of Pharmacy and spent three years in the military during the Vietnam War. Cagle lived in California for eleven years, where he met Holt. Holt was born in Fort McPherson, Georgia, to Robert S. Holt and Ruth Poteet Holt. He served in the Air Force in France. Holt was diagnosed with AIDS in 1986. They decided to move to Folly Beach and open a gay bed and breakfast in 1989. Holt died of AIDS in 1995. Cagle retired from working as a pharmacist at the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center. As of 2020 Cagle lived in the Charleston area with his husband John Meffert.

Extent

1.92 linear feet (1 document box, 1 oversize box, 1 oversize paper folder)

Abstract

The collection consists of the papers of Stephen W. Cagle, white proprietor of the gay business establishment Charleston Beach Bed & Breakfast at Folly Beach, South Carolina, with his domestic and business partner Charles S. Holt, white Air Force veteran. The papers include photographs, correspondence, and realia dating from 1989 to 2001.

Collection Arrangement

Materials described at the folder level.

Acquisitions Information

Materials donated in 2018 by Stephen W. Cagle.

Processing Information

Processed by Rebecca Thayer, July 2020.

Title
Inventory of the Stephen W. Cagle Papers, 1989-2001
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by: Rebecca Thayer; finding aid created by: Rebecca Thayer
Date
2020
Description rules
Dacs
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
Funding from the Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation supported the processing of this collection and the creation of this finding aid.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Libraries
66 George Street
Charleston South Carolina 29424
(843) 953-8016
(843) 953-6319 (Fax)