Untangling Heirs’ Property: Pre-Tax Sale Workshop at Penn Center

On St. Helena Island and across the Sea Islands, land is more than property. It is heritage, memory, and a living link to ancestors who fought to keep and pass it down. Yet for many families, that legacy is at risk because of a complex legal challenge known as heirs’ property.

What Is Heirs’ Property?

Heirs’ property arises when land is passed down without a clear, legally recorded will. Over generations, multiple descendants may inherit fractional shares of the same parcel. Without a deed naming a single owner or a formal legal agreement, the land exists in a fragile state—vulnerable to disputes, forced sales, or loss through unpaid taxes.

For Gullah/Geechee families on St. Helena Island, heirs’ property is not just a legal issue—it is part of a larger history of resilience. After Emancipation, many formerly enslaved families acquired land in the Lowcountry, often at great personal sacrifice. This land became the backbone of Gullah culture, sustaining farming, fishing, and community traditions. But with unclear titles and the pressures of development, families today face the real threat of losing that inheritance.

Why This Workshop Matters

To help address these challenges, the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation, Beaufort County Treasurer’s Office, and Penn Center are hosting a Pre-Tax Sale Workshop & Q&A.

• Date: Saturday, September 20, 2025
• Time: 11 AM – 1 PM
• Location: Emory Campbell Dining Hall, Penn Center, 16 Penn Center Circle West, St. Helena

The session will feature Maria Walls, CPA, Beaufort County Treasurer, who will guide families through the steps needed to prevent losing property in upcoming tax sales. Participants will also learn practical strategies for navigating heirs’ property challenges, protecting their land, and preserving their legacy.

Continuing a Tradition of Preservation

Hosting this workshop at Penn Center carries deep meaning. As one of the nation’s first schools for freedmen and now a cultural landmark, Penn Center has long been a gathering place for education, advocacy, and community empowerment.

The event reflects a continued commitment to keeping families rooted in the Lowcountry. By offering resources and guidance, it ensures that future generations can inherit not only land, but the stories, traditions, and cultural wealth tied to it.

How to Join

This workshop is free and open to the public. Families facing heirs’ property concerns, or anyone wanting to better understand how to protect community land, are encouraged to attend.

• Contact: Lowcountry Gullah Foundation
• Phone: 843.715.3506
• Email: gullahlad@gmail.com
• Website: www.historicgullahlandpreservation.org