Partners

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is a fairly new national park unit located in and around Beaufort, South Carolina. It is a park in progress, with input from a wide variety of community partners and stakeholders.

Second Founding of America

Second Founding of America is the park's philanthropic partner (friend's group).

Penn Center

Located on St. Helena Island, the Penn Center is the former campus of the Penn School. Founded in 1862, Penn School was one of the first schools for formerly enslaved people. The campus is a National Historic Landmark District and includes two Reconstruction Era National Historical Park sites, Brick Baptist Church and Darrah Hall.

Brick Baptist Church

The oldest church on St. Helena Island, Brick Baptist was built by enslaved people in 1855. From 1862 to 1864 the church acted as the second location for the Penn School after it grew out of The Oaks Plantation. Today the church still has an active congregation who the park works closely with to maintain the historic structure.

Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

Stretching from North Carolina to Florida the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Area established by the U.S. Congress to recognize the culture of the Gullah Geechee people.

United States Navy

The Naval Hospital in Beaufort is built on the site of Camp Saxton the base of the 1^st South Carolina Volunteers. The park and the Naval Hospital work together to share the story of Camp Saxton and the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation.

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was organized in 1994 to serve as the principal advocate for and steward of South Carolina’s natural resources. The Park works closely with the Department to ensure that the natural resources of the area are preserved for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

Beaufort County

The entire park is located within Beaufort County. The park and county work together to portray the Reconstruction History of the area.

City of Beaufort

The Downtown Visitor Center is located in the City of Beaufort. Founded in 1711 the city has important reconstruction history and many sites that are part of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Park.

Town of Port Royal

Camp Saxton and the Pickney Porters Chapel are both located in the Town of Port Royal. Camp Saxton was the base of the 1^st South Carolina Volunteers and the site of the first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation in January 1863.