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Free to Be: Historic Sites that Commemorate Freedmen Communities
Contributing Writer
Whether they’re checking out the newest restaurants or enjoying a stay at a bed-and-breakfast, contributing writers share their unique insight and stories from exploring the Palmetto State.
Founded in 1862, Penn School was one of the first schools in the South for formerly enslaved West Africans.
Ending centuries of slavery and involuntary servitude within the United States, the American Civil War and the resulting 13th Amendment to the Constitution freed millions of enslaved African Americans whose labor, skills and knowledge powered the South’s economic engine. The post-war period known as the Reconstruction era (1865 to 1877) saw a boom of freedmen communities, Black-owned businesses, residences and educational institutions. These historic sites of formerly enslaved African people stand as a testament to past generations’ enduring strength, perseverance and cultural heritage.
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Joyful noises fill the air during Hilton Head’s Juneteenth Celebration at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park.
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park on Hilton Head Island is a tribute to the legacy of Mitchelville, one of the earliest planned communities for formerly enslaved people in the United States. Founded in 1862 by General Ormsby Mitchel during the Civil War, the town stretched to 200 acres with homes on quarter-acre lots built by freedmen at a rate of up to six per day. In its prime, Mitchelville was fully self-governed, with two schools, three churches and its own mayor and officers.
Today, the park preserves the stories, struggles and culture of the community’s residents. Explore this site’s historical exhibits, which detail the community’s unique role in shaping the post-Civil War era. From reconstructed cabins to interpretive displays, delve into this pivotal chapter of American history.
Penn Center
By preserving historical collections, oral histories, handicrafts and musical recordings the Penn Center now details important aspects of African American history on the island.
Penn Center on St. Helena Island was one of the first schools for formerly enslaved African Americans and a beacon of hope during the tumultuous years of Reconstruction. Established in 1862 by Quaker missionaries, the Penn School, as it was initially known, provided education, vocational training and a refuge for those seeking to rebuild their lives.
Over the years, Penn Center evolved into a hub for Civil Rights activism and cultural preservation, hosting notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Septima Clark. Penn Center is a National Historic Landmark District with two Reconstruction era national park sites. It is a living monument to the resilience of African American communities, offering educational programs, historical exhibits and cultural events that honor its rich heritage and ongoing commitment to social justice.
Beaufort’s Historic Freedman Cottages
The Freedman Arts District works with families to assist in keeping ownership within the family while restoring the property.
Beaufort’s Historic Freedman Cottages were home to formerly enslaved people who built new lives for themselves and their families in the northwest quadrant of Beaufort known as the “Freedman’s Village.” Built as one-story timber-framed houses with a gable and front porch, the style became known as the “freedman’s cottage style.”
The cottages are located in the Freedman Arts District, established as a Landmark Historic District in Beaufort 1971. This is a thriving cultural hub where local artists and artisans showcase their talents and celebrate the rich heritage of the African American community. Through art, music and storytelling, the district honors the legacy of those who paved the way for freedom and equality, ensuring their voices resonate through the ages.
Mann-Simons Site
The Mann-Simons Site tells the inspiring story of a freed couple who walked from Charleston to Columbia and established a home, several businesses and a thriving community for fellow African Americans.
Once the home of Celia Mann, a freedwoman, and home to her descendants for nearly 130 years, the Mann-Simons Site in Columbia offers a window into the lives of a close-knit community navigating the challenges of Reconstruction and the oppressive Jim Crow-era South. The site was once a collection of homes and businesses owned by the same African American family. Only one building remains today, but visitors can tour five “ghost structures” that illustrate where other buildings stood. Today, it is also an important archaeological site with digs that unearthed more than 60,000 artifacts, which help tell the complex story of the Black families who lived and worked there. Visitors can explore this outdoor museum and its artifacts, reliving history through guided tours and interactive exhibits.
Whether they’re checking out the newest restaurants or enjoying a stay at a bed-and-breakfast, contributing writers share their unique insight and stories from exploring the Palmetto State.
