Saint Helena Island in Beaufort County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Penn School
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2008
1. Penn School Marker
One of the first schools for blacks in the South, Penn School, was reorganized as Penn Normal, Industrial and Agricultural School in 1901. As a result of this change, incorporating principals of education found at both Tuskegee and Hampton Institutes, Penn became an international model. Its program was removed to the Beaufort County school system in 1948.
After Union occupation of the sea islands in 1861, two northerners, Laura Towne and Ellen Murray, came to assist the freed blacks of the area establishing Penn School here in 1862. The earliest known black teacher was Charlotte Forten, who traveled all the way from Massachusetts to help her people.
Erected 1981 by Penn Club and South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreaction and Tourism. (Marker Number 7-15.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Education • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, the Martin Luther King, Jr., and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1901.
Location. 32° 23.266′ N, 80° 34.588′ W. Marker is on Saint Helena Island, South
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Lowcountry and on the Sea Islands. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Deep South. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Great Sea Island Storm (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor Of Edith M. Dabbs and James McBride Dabbs (within shouting distance of this marker); Dawn of a Revolution: The Penn School (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Relic of Reconstruction: Darrah Hall (about 700 feet away); Trailblazers at Penn Center National Historic Landmark District (approx. Ό mile away); Water A Way Home, A Way of Life (approx. Ό mile away); Chapel of Ease (approx. 0.8 miles away); Lady's Island Oyster Factory (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Helena Island.
Regarding Penn School. National Register Of Historic Places :
Penn Center Historic District *** (added 1974 - District - #74001824)
Also known as Penn School
S of Frogmore on SC 37, Frogmore
♦ Historic Significance: Event
♦ Area of Significance: Social History, Engineering, Black, Politics/Government
♦ Period of Significance: 1850-1874, 1875-1899,
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2008
2. Penn School Marker Reverse side
♦ Owner: Private
♦ Historic Function: Education
♦ Historic Sub-function: School
♦ Current Function: Education, Recreation And Culture, Social
♦ Current Sub-function: Civic, Museum, School
Also see . . . Penn Center. Penn School, Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974 (Submitted on March 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina.)
Additional keywords. Charlotte Forten:
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 2008
3. Penn School
Photographed by Mike Stroud, March 20, 2008
4. Penn Center School
Photographed by Mike Stroud, May 1, 2012
5. Penn School...In Memory of
1837 — 1914
First African American
Teacher at Penn School
Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 2,188 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on June 27, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 20, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. 5. submitted on May 3, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
