Charles Fraser Lecture Series

The Charles Fraser Visiting Associates and Lecture Series honor the legacy of Charles Fraser, founder of modern-day Hilton Head Island and a visionary of master-planned communities.  He was the 1st recipient of the AIA Certificate of Excellence in Private Community Planning (1968) and the 1st recipient of the ULI’s Citation for Excellence in Large Scale Recreational Community Development (1985).

Former speakers include past Chairmen and Trustees of the Urban Land Institute, Harry H. Frampton III, Managing Partner, East West Partners; James J. Chaffin, Jr., Chairman, Chaffin/Light; Ron Terwilliger, Chairman Emeritus of Trammell Crow Residential Company; and Peter Rummell, former CEO of the Disney Development Co. and St. Joe Co.; and Diana Permar, President of Permar Associates. In 2014, we were pleased to have Mr. Fraser’s two daughters, Laura-Lawton Fraser and Wyman Fraser Davis give a lecture and commentary about their father. 

In 1992, the Charles Fraser Endowment was established through an initial gift of $50,000 from Santee-Cooper. The fund stated "Charles Fraser and his remarkable development of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, established an international model for his visionary integration of man and nature through community design. His influence is evident in communities in Asia, Europe, and throughout North and South Carolina."

Mr. Fraser not only developed property, but he also developed people. Members of his entourage are affectionately known as "Charlie's Angels".  Because of the generous donations to the endowment, we are privileged to host lectures each year. Speakers are some of the most prominent and highly respected individuals in their respective fields, and many of them are "Charlie's Angels."