What Is Reconstruction Era National Historical Park?
This park preserves three historic sites that trace back to the early years of reconstruction during and after the Civil War!
What Makes It Historical?
A Union soldiers moved into Confederate territory, a new question popped up in bigger conversations: How would newly freed Black folks integrate into a free society? Beaufort County, South Carolina paints that picture pretty clearly, as Union forces captured Beaufort, Hilton Head, and the South Carolina Sea Islands early in the war on November 7, 1861! Once captured, the Beaufort area became a major destination for folks fleeing slavery!
The park tells this story through sites like Darrah Hall, the oldest standing building at the Penn Center! Founded in 1862 by Quaker missionaries, this was one of the earliest schools founded for newly freed slaves in an area where it had been illegal to teach a Black person to read!
That same year, Camp Saxton was established south of Beaufort, home to the 1st South Carolina Volunteer Infantry and one of the first places where newly free Black folks were encouraged to enlist in the army! Most of Camp Saxton is now behind the gates of the Naval Hospital Beaufort, so most of the story is told at the 2020 reconstruction (get it?) of Pinckey-Porter’s Chapel, which served the spiritual needs of the enlisted!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Volunteer at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park!
- Donate to Second Founding of America!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
Visitor Center:
- 706 Craven Street
Beaufort, SC 29902
Darrah Hall:
- 26-118 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Dr
St Helena Island, SC 29920
Pinckney-Porters Chapel:
- 27 Pinckney Blvd
Port Royal, SC 29935
When Should I Visit the Park?
Each of the park’s facilities are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:00 AM until 5:00 PM!
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