Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

A two story brick building flanked by large live oak trees

Brick Baptist Church, located on the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District, was home to the Penn School between 1862-1865

A one story brick building with large arched windows

The Old Beaufort Firehouse, located in downtown Beaufort, serves as the park headquarters and visitor center

A park ranger holds a sign while talking to young people.

Ranger guided tours and programs are a great way to explore Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

A Park Ranger points at the ruins of a tabby wall with three people looking on

Camp Saxton it partly located on SCDNR and US Navy Property. It was here that Black soldiers during the Civil War took their first steps towards citizenship.

A crowd of people stand in front of a large white wooden building

Darrah Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the Penn Center, and serves as the base of operations for the park in the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District

A large crowd of people gather in a field. In the foreground is an NPS sign

The Penn Center is one of the park's partners to help preserve and tell the story of education during the Reconstruction Era

Photos: National Park Service

About Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

The Reconstruction era,1861-1900 the historic period in which the United States grappled with the question of how to integrate millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, economic, and labor systems, was a time of significant transformation. The people, places, and events in Beaufort County, South Carolina, reflect on the most important issues of this tumultuous time period.

Quick Facts

State South Carolina

Designation National Historical Park

State Code SC

Weather Winters can be mild, with periods of cold weather. During the Spring and Fall, weather is typically nice, with highs in the 70s and 80s. Summers can be very hot,…

Location & Map

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is located in South Carolina.

Get Directions

Operating Hours

The park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. In addition, the park maintains several visitor centers and contact stations throughout the region.

Wednesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Monday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Thursday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Sunday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Tuesday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Friday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Saturday 9:00AM - 5:00PM

Activities

Guided Tours Self-Guided Tours - Walking Hiking Junior Ranger Program Shopping Bookstore and Park Store

Getting There

The park's headquarters is located at 706 Craven Street in Beaufort, South Carolina, directly across the street from the Beaufort Visitor Center in the Beaufort Arsenal, and next door to the downtown Beaufort Public Library.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

Address 706 Craven Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902

Phone (843) 962-0039

Email reer_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

African American Heritage Military Reconstruction Social Movements Civil Rights

Things To Do

Visit the Frontlines of Freedom Exhibit

Explore the “Frontlines of Freedom” exhibit at Pinckney-Porter’s Chapel to learn about the legacy of Camp Saxton and the 1st…

Explore the Lay of the Land Exhibit

Learn about the Reconstruction era in Beaufort at beyond at the "Lay of the Land" exhibit in the park visitor…

Birding on the Capers Creek Trail

Grab your binoculars and bring them to the Capers Creek Trail. More than 100 different bird species have been observed…

Join a Ranger Program at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Join a ranger for a program at any of our three sites: Downtown Beaufort, Darrah Hall, or Pinckney-Porter’s Chapel. Program…

Hike the Capers Creek Trail

Walk in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. and the students of the Penn School on the Capers Creek…

Become a Junior Ranger at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Learn how you can earn your Junior Ranger badge at Reconstruction Era National Historical Park.

Visitor Centers

Darrah Hall

Darrah Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the Penn Center, and is the park's base of operations for the Penn Center National…

Hours: Darrah Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the Penn Center. The NPS manages Darrah Hall as a visitor contact station. As of the summer of 2021, it is open Tuesday - Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.

Pinckney-Porter's Chapel Visitor Contact Station

Pinckney-Porters Chapel is a Reconstruction era Freedman's Chapel located in the Naval Heritage Park just outside the main gate to Naval Hospital Beaufort. The Town…

Hours: Pinckney-Porters Chapel Visitor Contact Station is located at the Naval Heritage Park across from Naval Hospital Beaufort. It is open Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.