Penn Center
Introduction
Text-to-speech Audio
Penn Center is a cultural and educational institution whose mission is promote and preserve the legacy and history of St. Helena Island, which has been a haven for a vibrant African American community since the beginning of the Civil War. The Center was founded as the Penn School in 1862, after Union Forces captured the island, to educate the West African slaves and their descendants (collectively known as the Gullah culture). The oldest building on the site, the Brick Church, was built in 1855 and was used by the school as its first building. A museum is located in the York W. Bailey House, named after an African American doctor who grew up in the community and came to back to serve as the island's only physician. The Center hosts numerous music, art and other festivals and events during the year including the annual Heritage Days. Given its long and important history, the Center and all of the 16 historic structures from the former school were declared a National Historic Landmark and added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Images
Backstory and Context
Text-to-speech Audio
Sources
McMahon, Diane. "Penn Center: A South Carolina Historical Legacy, An American Cultural Treasure." Penn Center. Accessed November 3, 2016. http://www.penncenter.com/welcome.