The Penn Center - St. Helena Island, SC

Not too long ago, USA Today ran a story on some disappearing sites worth taking in sooner than later. One of which made the list was the culture of the Gullah people best observed and experienced at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island, South Carolina. This site is home to the country's first schools for freed slaves and one of the most significant African American historical and cultural institutions. The mission is to promote and preserve the history and culture of the Sea Islands. Visitors are welcomes to tour the York W. Bailey Museum Monday-Saturday from 11AM - 4 PM. If I'm not mistaken the area also hosts a Community Sing every third Sunday of the month from September to May to showcase African traditions through song. That would make Sunday, February 19, 2006 the perfect chance to soak in some of the Gullah culture during Black History Month. Should a trip to the Carolinas not be in your immediate travel forecast, plan for November when they have their annual Penn Center Heritage Days Celebration.

Also, check out this site on the Gullah Celebration going on until the end of the month in South Carolina.

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning