The National Park Service has announced the addition of four new sites to Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, and three of them are in Beaufort. This national network connects sites across the country who provide education, interpretation and research related to the period of Reconstruction. The Reconstruction Era (1861-1900) is one of the most fascinating and misunderstood periods in American History and includes stories of freedom, education and self-determination.
The new community sites in South Carolina that have been added to the network include three more in downtown Beaufort:
- First African Baptist Church in Beaufort was dedicated on January 1, 1865 and served as a school for formerly enslaved people during the Civil War, and counted Congressman Robert Smalls among its members. It’s located at 601 New Street in downtown Beaufort.
- Tabernacle Baptist Church in Beaufort was home to a school during the Civil War and held an Emancipation Day service on January 1, 1863. Its members served as community leaders in Reconstruction era Beaufort, and today is the final resting place of Congressman Robert Smalls. It’s located at 901 Craven Street in downtown Beaufort.
- The Robert Smalls House in Beaufort is the property that Robert Smalls purchased in the 1863 Direct Tax Auctions in Beaufort after Smalls returned fro the Civil War and was his home for the rest of life. It’s located at 511 Prince Street in downtown Beaufort.
Also added was Historic Brattonsville in York County SC, Historic Brattonsville interprets the lives of formerly enslaved people living and working on this 800-acre historic plantation site in the years after the Civil War.
“The Reconstruction Era is an important part of our national story,” said Superintendent Scott Teodorski, “These new sites join a wide range of sites from across the country that provide opportunities to learn about this critical period in our history. We are pleased to welcome these new sites to the network and to work with them to showcase their stories.”
The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed into law on March 12, 2019, outlined the creation of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. This network, managed by Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, includes sites and programs that are affiliated with the Reconstruction Era, but not necessarily managed by the National Park Service. This network is nationwide and works to provide opportunities for visitors to connect to the stories of Reconstruction. For more information about the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/reconstruction/network.htm.
For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS.
Learn more about the life of Robert Smalls.
Learn more about Beaufort’s history here.
