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All 4 Saint Helena Island Attractions »

Penn Center

Saint Helena Island, SC
4.5 of 5 stars 23 Reviews
Type: History Museums, Historic Sites, Landmarks/ Points of Interest, Museums
Description: A significant African-American institution in the United States, its mission is to preserve the Sea Islands' history, culture and environment.
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23 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
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Date Rating
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Senior Contributor
25 reviews 25 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 21 May 2012

We enjoyed our visit to Penn Center, which has in the past played a pioneering and vital role in improving the educational and economic prospects of freed slaves on St Helena and other Sea Islands, starting while the Civil War awas still raging. The camous is beautifully set out with plain but gracious buildings and lovely trees but the main... More

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Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 18 May 2012

One of my favorite places in the SC low country. This is a part of the USA that few folks know about and the rich history of the area comes alive here. My children (11&8) found it fascinating as well.

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Rochester, New York
Top Contributor
58 reviews 58 reviews
Reviews in 21 cities Reviews in 21 cities
17 helpful votes 17 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 May 2012

The history of Penn Center and its mission is shown in detail, though the information could be organized better. The articles and photographs are fascinating. The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable. My disappointment was that there was not much information about the Gullah culture itself. When I asked, the staff suggested several books that I could buy, and I... More

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Beaufort, SC, USA
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 10 May 2012

Preservation of history...there is much history to discover for those that are not aware.

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Branford, Connecticut
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 April 2012

After taking the Gullah Tour in Charleston, we found ourselves wanting to learn more about the Gullah history. We were told a visit to Penn Center on St. Helena Island would add more information. We had a car so planned a trip to the center along with a visit to Beaufort. The Center was founded by Abraham Lincoln for the... More

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RI
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 March 2012

This exhibit and the excellent video should not be missed because the buildings themselves bear witness to the complexity of the efforts and motives of 19th and early 20th century philanthropy. At the same time the programs of the center today demonstrate the changes that have taken place, the center's role in the civil rights movement, and its work to... More

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Beaufort, SC
Contributor
17 reviews 17 reviews
Reviews in 11 cities Reviews in 11 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 March 2012

If you visit the South Carolina's lowcountry and like history, Penn Center is a must. It is on St. Helena Island SC near Beaufort SC. Among other things, it is one of the country's first schools for freed slaves. Get a description of its historical significance at www.sciway.net/afam/penn.html . This is a pretty Sea Island setting and it is close... More

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Dayton, Ohio
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
20 helpful votes 20 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 12 March 2012

Essentially a trade school for Black youth, founded in 1862,that produced crafstmen, midwives, nurses for many years. The school answered the need created by SC law since before 1948, the public school system was only required to educate blacks through the seventh grade. Frequently changing exhibits reflect on the schools impact on daily life, the civil rights movement and through... More

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Orlando, Florida
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
Reviews in 30 cities Reviews in 30 cities
36 helpful votes 36 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 11 March 2012

Our tour group visited the Penn Center, located near Beaufort, South Carolina, last week. We toured the museum, and also watched a video. I learned a lot about the history of Penn Center and how it's school educated children. There is also a gift shop with crafts and artwork done by local residents.

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Canton, Massachusetts
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 February 2012 via mobile
1
person found this review helpful

I learned a lot from my visit to the Penn Center, though I found the exhibits very text heavy and overwhelming and yearned for some more exhibits and information about the Gullah/Geechee culture. For example, the information in the Beaufort County Guide to the Gullah Geechee Heritage had some fantastic information about the African ancestry, food, lingo, etc. of these... More

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