2 Best Sights in Hilton Head and the Low Country, South Carolina

Reconstruction Era National Monument

Fodor's choice
Established in 1862, the Penn Center was the first school for African Americans in the American South. It's now the centerpiece of the Reconstruction Era National Monument, which demonstrates the life and struggles of African Americans in the decades after the Civil War. The York W. Bailey Museum here has displays on the Gullah culture and heritage on the Sea Islands, and the beautiful, live oak-shaded grounds host seasonal events, including a bi-weekly Saturday farmer's market, and the Center remains an active advocate for human rights through its programs and exhibits.

York W. Bailey Museum

The museum at the Penn Center has displays on the heritage of Sea Island African Americans; it also has pleasant grounds shaded by live oaks. Dating from 1862, Penn Center was the first school for the newly emancipated slaves. These islands are where Gullah, a musical language that combines English and African languages, developed. This museum and the surrounding community of St. Helena Island are a major stop for anyone interested in the Gullah history and culture of the Lowcountry.