The York W. Bailey Museum, named after a former Penn Center student who practiced medicine on St. Helena Island, chronicles the history and shares the stories of the people whose lives were changed by Penn Center, a vitally important American institution. Penn Center is a school established on St. Helena Island in 1862 for the freed black slaves after the plantation owners escaped the island. Especially interesting are the photographs of students at work, some of which dating as far back as the 1860s. The visitors to the museum are greeted by the helpful video that offers history and personal recollections about the Penn Center's past. The museum gift shop offers artworks by local artists, handmade sweetgrass baskets and colorful, original crafts.

Address: York W. Bailey Museum, 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

Explore more: South Carolina Day Trips > Things to Do on St. Helena Island, South Carolina

Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.