Press Kit

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park preserves the history of the Reconstruction era (1861-1900) by sharing the stories of 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. Reconstruction Era National Historical Park is managed by the National Park Service, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior. The park is made up of four sites a visitor center in Downtown Beaufort, Pinckney-Porter’s Chapel in Camp Saxton, Darrah Hall at the Penn Center, and Brick Baptist Church. The park also manages the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. For park news please visit our news release page.

• Superintendent: Laura Waller

• Base Operating Budget: $1,457,938 (Fiscal Year 2023)

• Employees: 15 permanent, 3 temporary

• Volunteers: 15 volunteers, 2125 volunteer hours (Fiscal Year 2023)

Acreage

• Park Boundary: 65 Acres
• Federal Ownership or Interest: 16 Acres

Visitation Stats

• 2022: 18,262

• 2023: 23,792

Park Creation

• Enabling Legislation: Presidential Proclamations - Establishment of the Reconstruction Era National Monument

• Name Change Legislation: John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act

Purpose Statement

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, in Beaufort County, South Carolina, preserves and interprets the resources and complex national stories of Reconstruction—African Americans’ quest for freedom, the challenges resulting from the abolition of slavery, and the struggles to redefine the nation during and after the Civil War.

Features/Programs

The park provides interpretive programming in partnership with a wide variety of community organizations both on and off park owned property. To learn more about our current programming view our calendar.

Park partners

• Second Founding of America

• Penn Center, Inc.

• Brick Baptist Church

• Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

• U.S. Navy

• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

• Beaufort County

• City of Beaufort

• Town of Port Royal

• First African Baptist Church

The park works with many community organizations, including, but not limited to, the sites above. To learn more please visit our Partners page.

Park Photos

 

Media Use

18 Images

The photos in this album depict all of the park sites, surrounding area, and the programming provided by the park.

 

Contact our Public Information Officer

Chris Barr, Chief of Interpretation/Public Information Officer

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]