Watch these two conversations to gain a deeper understanding of how Penn Center, the Gullah Geechee community, and the people of St. Helena Island helped shape America's ongoing journey toward freedom, education, democracy, and opportunity.

The Penn Center campus welcomed more than 500 guests throughout Juneteenth weekend.

As part of the ongoing St. Helena Economic Feasibility Study, community members are invited to complete the Community Vision & Priorities Survey, an opportunity to help guide recommendations for the future use of the property located at the intersection of Sea Island Parkway and Polowana Road.

The Penn Center National Historic Landmark District recognizes the passing of South Carolina’s senior statesman, Senator Lindsey Graham.

Our Tour Times Have Been Updated

Guided Tours are available Tuesday through Saturday at 10:00am, 12:00pm, and 3:00pm. Admission is $15.

Led by a museum Docent, guided tours include a historical overview of the Penn School and the Gullah Geechee people, followed by a documentary viewing and Q&A session.

This spring, Penn Center continued its role as a living space for education, reflection, and cultural exchange, welcoming a wide range of groups whose work spans arts education, heritage preservation, civic dialogue, and travel-based exploration. Each visit added another layer to the ongoing story of the campus as a place where history is not only remembered, but actively engaged.

This May, Penn Center will once again serve as a living classroom as it welcomes 45 scholars from six distinguished institutions—University of Georgia, Tuskegee University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Agnes Scott College, Claflin University, and South Carolina State University—for the 2026 Penn Scholar Research Residency.

The Penn Center dock is temporarily closed for repairs and is not accessible to the public at this time. We will share updates as soon as it reopens and appreciate your patience during this maintenance period.

Spots are now open, and families are encouraged to register early to secure their place.

The exhibit is now on view at the York L. Bailey Museum and features a broader collection of Gordon’s work alongside the commissioned portraits.

Just two months into 2026, Penn Center has already welcomed hundreds of visitors to campus. From Atlanta area 8th graders exploring native plants on guided walks to cruising tourists learning about Gullah culture, the energy has been nonstop.

In Memory of Jesse Jackson October 8, 1941 - February 17, 2026

The Penn Center mourns the passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader whose lifelong fight against injustice, inequality, and violence shaped our history. The renowned activist, a native son of South Carolina, did “not go gentle into that good night” (Dylan Thomas). Rev. Jackson, a key figure in the civil rights movement and a successor to Dr. King, carried the torch forward after Dr. King’s assassination in 1968. We are proud that the Penn Center, founded by northern missionaries and formerly enslaved Gullah Geechee in 1862, played a part in his journey, and his work enriched our legacy.

Now it is our turn to pick up the baton from our fallen hero and continue the work of realizing the full promise of American Democracy, encouraging all to join in this vital effort. 

Join us for a day of history, food, and community as we celebrate the rich cultural legacy of St. Helena Island!

Join Penn Center for its 2nd Annual Black History Month Celebration on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM, right here on the Penn Center Campus.

This second phase of funding is significant not only for its scale, but for what it makes possible. The partnership invests directly in programs that connect Penn Center’s historic mission to present-day questions facing the Sea Islands, including land stewardship, cultural continuity, environmental change, and intergenerational knowledge sharing

Penn Center’s Mystery Play and nativity scene was featured in a December edition of The Post and Courier.

Beaufort High School senior and Penn Center employee Caleb Singleton reflects on Penn Center’s history and significance.