Here's How You Can Celebrate Black History Month in Beaufort, SC

Keep reading for ways you and your family, friends, and neighbors can celebrate Black History Month in and around Northern Beaufort County.

Visit Penn Center

At the very heart of the Gullah culture in Beaufort is The Penn Center, the first school in the south for formerly enslaved West Africans. Located on the historic St. Helena Island, the 50-acre Penn Center historic district is comprised of 25 historic buildings and structures. Swing by the Courtney P. Siceloff Welcome Center and Gift Shop, located with the York W. Bailey Museum and immerse yourself in local culture.  Learn more here.

Have some Gullah-inspired Food

There are quite a few Black-owned restaurants and small businesses you can support in Beaufort. Here are some that we know where you can sample some authentic Gullah cuisine. We'd love to grow this list so please comment below with others that we may have missed!

Belly Full By Tyga - Soul & Seafood Truck
Jah Lion Grill and Bar 906 Port Republic Street Beaufort
Red Rooster Cafe - 2045 Boundary St, Beaufort

Take a Walking Tour Through Downtown Beaufort

I was raised in Beaufort, but was only today years old when I learned that  as post-Civil War Reconstruction began, Craven Street became a powerful avenue of Black social, political, economic, and military life.

On Saturday, Feb. 24 the National Park Service held a one-hour walking tour exploring the Black history roots of Craven Street in the heart of downtown Beaufort, SC. We couldn't make it but plan to reach out to Ranger Chanda in the future to learn more about the history of Craven street. that today is home to our park visitor center.

Check out the Reconstruction Era  park visitor center at 706 Craven Street to learn more.

Black Mermaid Exhibit at USCB

Meet the extraordinary Cookie Washington on Tuesday, February 27th, from 11am to 3pm.

We're thrilled to introduce you to the curator behind the mesmerizing exhibit "Celebrating Black Mermaids: From Africa to America" at the University of South Carolina Beaufort Center for the Arts.

Cookie Washington, an esteemed artist, curator, and folklorist, will be sharing insights into the origin of the exhibit and the captivating history of black mermaid mythologies.

Allen Chapel Black History Month Celebration

Join the Legendary Aunt Perlie Sue and the Beaufort Mass Choir as well as  other artists from around the Lowcountry at a Black History Month Celebration. The event is happening Sunday, Feb. 24 at 3pm at Allen A.M.E. Church at 16 Shelter Church Road Hwy 21 in Beaufort.

Thanks for reading! Also- March is Women's History Month - if you know of some events happening click here to send us a message.