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A two story brick building flanked by large live oak trees Photo: NPS Photo

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

National Historical Park · South Carolina

Plan your visit Directions
  • LocationBeaufort, SC
  • Entrance No fee listed
  • HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
  • Weather now85°F Light rain shower
  • Alerts No active alerts

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.

Topics
  • African American Heritage
  • Civil Rights
  • Military
  • Reconstruction
  • Social Movements
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 — NPS Photo

Things to Do

7 experiences from the National Park Service. Check details on NPS.gov before you go.

Showing 7 of 7

All 6 activities in the park

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Facilities & Services

Find visitor centers and other services available in the park. Check current hours and availability before you go.

Visitor Centers

  • Capers Creek Trail

    Darrah Hall

    Visitor Center

    Darrah Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the Penn Center, and is the park's base of operations for the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District.

    Directions

    Details
    Darrah Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the Penn Center, and is the park's base of operations for the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District.
  • Pinckney-Porter's Chapel Visitor Contact Station

    Pinckney-Porter's Chapel Visitor Contact Station

    Visitor Center

    Pinckney-Porters Chapel is a Reconstruction era Freedman's Chapel located in the Naval Heritage Park just outside the main gate to Naval Hospital Beaufort. The Town of…

    Directions

    Details
    Pinckney-Porters Chapel is a Reconstruction era Freedman's Chapel located in the Naval Heritage Park just outside the main gate to Naval Hospital Beaufort. The Town of Port Royal rebuilt the chapel in late 2020, and through an agreement, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park operates the site as a visitor contact station. Inside is Frontlines of Freedom an exhibit about Black Military service. Most Camp Saxton programs begin at this site. Pinckney-Porter's Chapel is open Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.
  • Lay of the Land

    Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Visitor Center

    Visitor Center

    The visitor center contains exhibits and information about the Reconstruction era in the low country, as well as information about visiting the various units of the park.

    706 Craven Street, Beaufort, SC (843) 962-0039 Directions

    Details
    The visitor center contains exhibits and information about the Reconstruction era in the low country, as well as information about visiting the various units of the park.

Plan Your Visit

Hours

Daily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM · Park Hours

Hours details
  • Park HoursDaily, 9:00AM - 5:00PM

    The park grounds are open daily from sunrise to sunset. In addition, the park maintains several visitor centers and contact stations throughout the region.

    Monday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Tuesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Wednesday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Thursday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Friday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Saturday9:00AM - 5:00PM
    Sunday9:00AM - 5:00PM

Entrance fees

No entrance fees listed.

Address

706 Craven Street
Beaufort, SC 29902

Get directions Map & directions info

Contact the park

Weather & conditions

85°F
Light rain shower · feels like 86°
  • Today 90° 71°
    Patchy rain nearby
    65% rain
  • Tomorrow 78° 72°
    Overcast
    79% rain
  • Sunday 85° 71°
    Light rain shower
    90% rain

Updated 4 hr ago

What to expect by season

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.

Photos

  • 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 — Hannah Hicks
  • A Park Ranger points at the ruins of a tabby wall with three people looking on
  • A large white wooden building with red trim and a porch.
  • A large crowd of people gather in a field. In the foreground is an NPS sign

Getting There

706 Craven Street
Beaufort, SC 29902

The park's visitor center 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.

Get directions NPS directions Official NPS site

Mailing address: 706 Craven Street, Beaufort, SC 29902

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