Penn Center
Explore Gullah History
The Penn Center is a 50-acre historic district including 25 buildings and structures on beautiful St. Helena Island, South Carolina. Surrounded by marsh and massive live oaks, the campus was home to one of the nation's first schools for formerly enslaved people. It is a significant African American institution rich with history. Check out Local Fun for more off-island adventures while enjoying your Fripp Island Vacation.
As you start your exploration, visit the Courtney P. Siceloff Welcome Center and Gift Shop, located with the York W. Bailey Museum. There you will find original artwork, books, music, and many other gifts.
Discover and celebrate the Sea Islands and Lowcountry African American culture known as Gullah Geechee. Tours are offered throughout the year and Penn Center hosts the annual Heritage Days Celebration each fall.
Penn Center
16 Penn Center Circle West
St. Helena Island, SC 29920
843-838-7105
Recent visit to the Penn Center to convene with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
In 1862 the Penn Center became the first formal school in the south for formerly enslaved Africans and African Americans. It is located on St. Helena Island, SC
#penncenter #sc #gullahgeechee #gullahgeecheecorridor #saveourlegacyourself #saltwatergeechee #southcarolina
Recent visit to the Penn Center to convene with the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
In 1862 the Penn Center became the first formal school in the south for formerly enslaved Africans and African Americans. It is located on St. Helena Island, SC
#penncenter #sc #gullahgeechee #gullahgeecheecorridor #saveourlegacyourself #saltwatergeechee #southcarolina
• Lowcountry •
Girls Trip 2021 - We explored the Sea Islands, Beaufort, and Port Royal. We stayed in the town where Harriet Tubman led the union forces and freed over 700 enslaved people. We saw two church ruins that are well over 200 years old. We visited the Penn Center where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gathered with other civil rights activists. The same place that was the first school for formally enslaved individuals in the United States and where he wrote a portion of his “I Have A Dream” speech. We explored the very area that is the heart of the Gullah culture and learned so much about the history of the Gullah Geechee culture. On our very last day, we even got to eat authentic Gullah food at The Gullah Grub.
The humidity was painful but the sights were stunning, the people were kind and welcoming, and the entire area was rich with history.
#lowcountry #seaislands #gullahgeechee #gullahgrub #penncenter #portroyal #beaufortsc #girlstrip
• Lowcountry •
Girls Trip 2021 - We explored the Sea Islands, Beaufort, and Port Royal. We stayed in the town where Harriet Tubman led the union forces and freed over 700 enslaved people. We saw two church ruins that are well over 200 years old. We visited the Penn Center where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gathered with other civil rights activists. The same place that was the first school for formally enslaved individuals in the United States and where he wrote a portion of his “I Have A Dream” speech. We explored the very area that is the heart of the Gullah culture and learned so much about the history of the Gullah Geechee culture. On our very last day, we even got to eat authentic Gullah food at The Gullah Grub.
The humidity was painful but the sights were stunning, the people were kind and welcoming, and the entire area was rich with history.
#lowcountry #seaislands #gullahgeechee #gullahgrub #penncenter #portroyal #beaufortsc #girlstrip
✨Obligatory Study Abroad Photo Dump ✨
This has to be one of the biggest highlights of my academic career. I got the chance to write a few scenes and have it performed in a workshop performance. There is nothing more intoxicating than having actors read what you wrote. I learned a lot about the Gullah people and the challenges they face (no gates no golf courses!). Big thanks to UGA for allowing me to have this opportunity and thank you to Dr. Sahakian and my colleagues in helping pull this all together.
Tags: #writerlife #writerscommunity #screenplaywriter #gullahgeechee #penncenter #studyabroad #studyabroadlife
✨Obligatory Study Abroad Photo Dump ✨
This has to be one of the biggest highlights of my academic career. I got the chance to write a few scenes and have it performed in a workshop performance. There is nothing more intoxicating than having actors read what you wrote. I learned a lot about the Gullah people and the challenges they face (no gates no golf courses!). Big thanks to UGA for allowing me to have this opportunity and thank you to Dr. Sahakian and my colleagues in helping pull this all together.
Tags: #writerlife #writerscommunity #screenplaywriter #gullahgeechee #penncenter #studyabroad #studyabroadlife
SC just banned AP African American Studies and replaced it with…Ellen Weaver’s essay contest. 😠
The memo cites “pending legislation”which is H. 3728, a bill where the Freedom Caucus wants to allow lawsuits against teachers for teaching against their far-right prescribed ideology.
South Carolina is rich with African American history across the state. I was 47 years old when I learned about the Combahee River Raid. Let’s stop trying to erase history and instead learn from it!
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#erasinghistory #blackhistory #scteachers #sceducation #gullahgeechee #harriettubmanmonument #penncenter #beaufortsc
SC just banned AP African American Studies and replaced it with…Ellen Weaver’s essay contest. 😠
The memo cites “pending legislation”which is H. 3728, a bill where the Freedom Caucus wants to allow lawsuits against teachers for teaching against their far-right prescribed ideology.
South Carolina is rich with African American history across the state. I was 47 years old when I learned about the Combahee River Raid. Let’s stop trying to erase history and instead learn from it!
.
.
.
#erasinghistory #blackhistory #scteachers #sceducation #gullahgeechee #harriettubmanmonument #penncenter #beaufortsc
Here it is ya’ll… my latest news!!! I will have a SOLO exhibit at the Historic Penn Center on St Helena Island, SC!! COLORING YOUR LIFE opens with an Artist Reception on August 19th at 6:30pm in their York W. Bailey Museum located on Martin Luther King Jr Drive! I am so honored to be exhibiting my work on the grounds of the FIRST school for freed slaves in the south AND where Dr Martin Luther King practiced his oration of his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech! Please come join me on the 19th! #art #fiberart #textile #textileart #originalart #blackart #quiltedart #quilts #quiltedartistrybyrenee #quiltedartistry #penncenter #thehistoricpenncenter #lowcountry #artexhibition #artexhibit #museumexhibition #sthelenaisland #beaufortsc #soloexhibition #blackhistory
Here it is ya’ll… my latest news!!! I will have a SOLO exhibit at the Historic Penn Center on St Helena Island, SC!! COLORING YOUR LIFE opens with an Artist Reception on August 19th at 6:30pm in their York W. Bailey Museum located on Martin Luther King Jr Drive! I am so honored to be exhibiting my work on the grounds of the FIRST school for freed slaves in the south AND where Dr Martin Luther King practiced his oration of his famous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech! Please come join me on the 19th! #art #fiberart #textile #textileart #originalart #blackart #quiltedart #quilts #quiltedartistrybyrenee #quiltedartistry #penncenter #thehistoricpenncenter #lowcountry #artexhibition #artexhibit #museumexhibition #sthelenaisland #beaufortsc #soloexhibition #blackhistory
We spent an awesome morning penncenter on #sthelenaisland learning about the cultural/significant impact it had in our nation during #reconstruction and the #civilrightsmovement🤎
#themcooperboys earned #jrparkranger badges💚
It seems a real shame that there are so many states in our country passing laws to hide and effectively erase this information from students in grades K-12💔
#beaufortsc #lowcountry #penncenter #southcarolina #darrahhall #parkranger #chapelofeaseruins #pcoopers #nationalhistoriclandmark
We spent an awesome morning penncenter on #sthelenaisland learning about the cultural/significant impact it had in our nation during #reconstruction and the #civilrightsmovement🤎
#themcooperboys earned #jrparkranger badges💚
It seems a real shame that there are so many states in our country passing laws to hide and effectively erase this information from students in grades K-12💔
#beaufortsc #lowcountry #penncenter #southcarolina #darrahhall #parkranger #chapelofeaseruins #pcoopers #nationalhistoriclandmark
Requirement of every vacation......take in a little history of the land and culture of it’s/our people at the Penn Center Historic District - The Gullah/Geechee Culture! #Penncenter #gullahgeechee #gullahculture #
Requirement of every vacation......take in a little history of the land and culture of it’s/our people at the Penn Center Historic District - The Gullah/Geechee Culture! #Penncenter #gullahgeechee #gullahculture #
10/12～10/14🍁🍂
Thank for Benjin and Rose take us to visit Philly for two days.🖤
And it`s the first trip with Sara😛
Fortunately you can accept hot pot🍲
#2018 #fall #usa #pennsylvania #philadelphia #templeuniversity #cityhall
#elfrethsalley #independencehall #penncenter #exchangestudent
10/12～10/14🍁🍂
Thank for Benjin and Rose take us to visit Philly for two days.🖤
And it`s the first trip with Sara😛
Fortunately you can accept hot pot🍲
#2018 #fall #usa #pennsylvania #philadelphia #templeuniversity #cityhall
#elfrethsalley #independencehall #penncenter #exchangestudent
Visit the York W. Bailey Museum to discover the 86-year history of Penn Center beginning in 1862 through the reconstruction era. Before the museum's dedication it was known as the Cope Industrial Shop, built to house classes in trades such as blacksmithing, basketry, cobbling, harness making and carpentry.
