reconstruction-era | SC | Find 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

Physical Address:

706 Craven Street

Beaufort, SC 29902

Mailing Address:

706 Craven Street

Beaufort, SC 29902

contact-details

Phone Number: (843) 962-0039 Voice

Email Address: reer_information@nps.gov
Description:

Fees

Entrance Fees

Entrance Passes

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.

park designation:National Historical Park

Directions:

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.

For detailed directions, please visit this link.

Directions

Operating Hours:

Park 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.

Exceptions:

Juneteenth (June 19, 2025 - June 19, 2025)

Winter Hours (September 1, 2024 - May 26, 2025)

Closed for Columbus Day (October 13, 2025 - October 13, 2025)

Veterans Day (November 11, 2025 - November 11, 2025)

Closed for Veterans Day (November 11, 2025 - November 11, 2025)

Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Closed for Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 2025 - November 27, 2025)

Christmas Day (December 25, 2025 - December 25, 2025)

Weather Information:

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, with high temperatures and high humidity. Located in a coastal region, the park is susceptible to hurricanes during the Summer and Fall.