b'TREASURE HUNTING Through the Chambers lens and keen insightsMuch of the early work of the Chamber was from the contributors on these pages, we see thefocused on trade regulations, trade practices and powerful forces that have been at work to shapethe settling of financial disputes. Over decades, the tri-county area. And we begin to calculatepromotion of rice and cotton for export would yield the Chambers masterful, sometimes remarkable,to other commanding topics. We present them in responses to them to protect, strengthen and ele- full color on the pages that follow, from a glimpse vate the regional business community that servesof the last bastions of old dogma to the new spirit-the people who call Berkeley, Charleston andon-fire of equity, diversity and inclusion that puts a Dorchester counties home.new, beautiful glow on the Holy City.This collection of stories, observations and remem- Its epic, this story. Editing for the best bits past to brances has been about treasure hunting, likepresent is like moving vast pieces of history through finding thousands of sand dollars on Lowcountrythe Panama Canal. Thanks to the records of count-beaches at low tide. The pages that follow are aboutless historians that allow us to explore longer, deeper the pivotal moments in the history of a chamberand wider, passage through centuries has been that was founded at Mrs. Swallows Tavern onremarkably possible.Broad Street before the Articles of Confederation were even drafted. Then, only importers, exporters or brokers could join, paying a 3 admission to use the Chamber and 10 shillings each quarter.1773The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce was established as a movement against British importation. It is the oldest continually operating municipal chamber of commerce in the United States. Thefirst meeting was held with 13 members present.7 INTRODUCTION'