Penn Center

The First School in the South for Formerly Enslaved West Africans

 

Located on beautiful St. Helena Island, at the very heart of Gullah culture, surrounded by glimmering marshes, and nestled beneath the silvery moss-draped limbs of massive live oaks… is Penn Center.

The campus of the former Penn School, one of the nation’s first schools for formerly enslaved people, is one of the most significant African American institutions in existence today. This historic and cultural institution is a National Historic Landmark District and comprises two of the four sites in Reconstruction Era National Park.

Welcome Center and Museum

Group Tours

April 2022

Penn Center receives transformative gift from MacKenzie Scott

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Plan Your Visit!

The Penn Center is proud to have earned the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for consistently great reviews from travelers. These reviews have lead to recommendations from major travel guides like Visit Beaufort, Discover South Carolina, and Travel Awaits. Come see why!

Research & Partnership

Culture and Community at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District is a research and education partnership between Penn Center and the University of Georgia Willson Center for Humanities and Arts, funded by a grant from the Mellon Foundation.

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History & Education

Explore Penn Center and St. Helena’s significance from 1862 to today.

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Community

Learn more about Heritage Days, Land Use and Environmental Education (LUEE), the 1862 Circle Gala, and other community programs.

Book an Event

Host your next group event or conference at historic Penn Center.

Show Your Support

Penn Center is a multi-service 501(c)3 non-profit organization. You can help support our mission and educational programs.

News and Upcoming Events

Find out the latest news and events at Penn Center.

1862 Circle Gala

Heritage Days

 

Shop the Penn Center collection

Feel free to browse our online store or stop by our Welcome Center and browse our selection of original artwork, books, music and many other gifts.

 
 
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