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    Beaufort Swingbridge/drawbridge

    5.0 (3 reviews)

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    3 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    Penn Center - Penn Center on St. Helena Island, SC

    Penn Center

    4.6(8 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    This loosely laid out complex of buildings paints a historical picture of an island that served as…read morea cultural center for what's now called Gullah-Geechee. The immediate sights next to the parking area are a visitor center where you buy tickets and a small history museum where you hand the tickets in. The history museum included an extensive tour by a local docent, from whom I got very specific details about local history and a friendly conversation of the sort the region is known for. It's a hard experience to explain to those who are living a more conventional American life, but part of the conversation here is about preserving history, with signs in the neighborhood hinting at a legal battle to prevent the surrounding island from being bought up and developed the way that some (but not all) of the surrounding islands have been. A restored schoolhouse on the site is National Parks property, unlike most of it which seems locally owned. Tours and events are offered, but at fairly limited times. It is an interesting place to browse and does have exhibits. There are also some handy water fountains and bathrooms in this area. Otherwise, the site includes a walking tour of several buildings of historic significance, most of which were used to house groups of visitors or for some administrative purpose, but the aesthetics were interesting to look at. This isn't the most dramatic or well-developed experience, and while it seemed more visitor areas might be coming, what's there is a compelling picture of island life and a unique culture.

    The first school for freed slaves is in a beautiful location and setting! Im so glad I spent some…read moretime to learn my history. Its now a community resource for the coastal Carolina residents. Lots of parking, self guided tour, there is a small fee, clean and well kept. Lots of teachers and alumni were involved with the school. Some areas are still in maintenance and you are only allowed in a few bldgs. Part of the Ctr is across the street, also ask when the kitchen is open, I didn't get to stop but I was told the food is awesome. Original bldg was lost in a hurricane, but the new one has a lot of history and artifacts with explanations. MLK made a stop here during his career. There is a video that visitors can watch for some history. The Penn Ctr was not only for educational training but for the enslaved but for practical skills for everyday living. Domestic training, housekeeping, and canning and just general upkeep. The whole area is worth a stop, I visited a yr ago, will plan to revisit soon.

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    Penn Center - Old Canning (and dairy) bldga

    Old Canning (and dairy) bldga

    Penn Center - MLK, Jr. worked on the I Have A Dream speech here.

    MLK, Jr. worked on the I Have A Dream speech here.

    Penn Center

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    Beaufort Swingbridge/drawbridge - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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