The Penn Center, known before as the Penn School, is an African-American cultural and educational center located in the Corners Community, on Saint Helena Island. The center was founded by the missionaries from Pennsylvania in 1862. The Center was the first school in the Southern US specifically founded for the education of African-Americans.

It provided necessary education to Gullah slaves who were freed after plantation owners deserted the island. The center is still fulfilling its mission.

Its 47-acre campus includes a number of historic buildings including classrooms, students’ dorms and rooms for teachers and administrators. The oldest building on the campus is the 1855 Brick Church, built by the owners of the island. The campus was designated a National Historic Landmark District.

Address: Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Cir E, St Helena Island, SC 29920, Phone: 843-838-2432

Chapel of Ease Penn Center Fort Fremont Camelot Farms Equestrian Center York W. Bailey Museum Gullah Grub Restaurant Darrah Hall - Reconstruction Era National Park

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