Park grounds are open sunrise to sunset everyday. Visitor center hours vary by location. For more information view each visitor centers' Hours & Seasons below.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park Visitor Center
The visitor center contains exhibits and information about the Reconstruction era in the low country, as well as information about visiting the various units of the park.
Physical Address
706 Craven Street Beaufort, SC29902
Mailing Address
706 Craven Street Beaufort, SC29902
The visitor center is located across the street from the Beaufort Arsenal on Craven Street
Every Day:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
The park visitor center at 706 Craven Street is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm.
The Old Beaufort Firehouse serves as the park visitor center in downtown Beaufort, South Carolina NPS Photo
Lay of the Land is the exhibit at our Visitor Center. NPS
Join a Ranger for a guided tour in downtown Beaufort. NPS/Daryl Averill Jr.
Darrah Hall
Darrah Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the Penn Center, and is the park's base of operations for the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District.
Physical Address
24 Penn Center Circle West St Helena Island, SC29920
Mailing Address
706 Craven Street Beaufort, SC29902
Darrah Hall is located in the Southwest Corner of the Penn Center campus. Drive out Highway 21/Sea Island Parkway as if you are going to Hunting Island State Park. Turn right onto Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. The main entrance to Penn Center will be on the right, follow the signs to Darrah Hall.
Sunday and Monday:Closed
Tuesday-Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Darrah Hall is the oldest building on the campus of the Penn Center. The NPS manages Darrah Hall as a visitor contact station. As of the summer of 2021, it is open Tuesday - Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm.
Visit Darrah Hall to learn more about the Penn School and education during the Reconstruction era. NPS/Daryl Averill Jr.
Darrah Hall has been a community gathering place for generations of Sea Island residents. Penn Center Papers
Talk with a ranger at Darrah Hall or take a guided tour. NPS/Daryl Averill Jr.
Pinckney-Porter's Chapel Visitor Contact Station
Pinckney-Porters Chapel is a Reconstruction era Freedman's Chapel located in the Naval Heritage Park just outside the main gate to Naval Hospital Beaufort. The Town of Port Royal rebuilt the chapel in late 2020, and through an agreement, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park operates the site as a visitor contact station. Inside are temporary exhibits, and most Camp Saxton programs begin at this site. Pinckney-Porter's Chapel is open Fridays and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.
Physical Address
27 Pinckney Blvd Port Royal, SC29935
Mailing Address
706 Craven Street Beaufort, SC29902
From downtown Beaufort, travel South on Ribaut Road. As you approach Naval Hospital Beaufort, turn left onto Shell Road. Porters Chapel Visitor Center will be ahead on your right, directly across the entrance gate to the hospital and next to a large skate park.
Closed today
Sunday-Thursday:Closed
Friday and Saturday:9:00 AM–5:00 PM
Pinckney-Porters Chapel Visitor Contact Station is located at the Naval Heritage Park across from Naval Hospital Beaufort. It is open Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm
Pinckney-Porter's Chapel Visitor Contact Station is located within the Naval Heritage Park and Port Royal Farmers Market near the site of Camp Saxton. NPS Photo/R. Condon
Park Partners
The Penn Center has reopened the Courtney P. Siceloff Welcome Center and Gift Shop, co-located with the York W. Bailey Museum. Please visit the Penn Center website or call the Penn Center at (843) 838-7105 for information about hours, access, and scheduling your visit.
Beaufort County has opened the Fort Frederick Heritage Preserve. This county-managed passive park allows visitors to explore the ruins of Fort Frederick - an important landmark for Camp Saxton. The site is located at 601 Old Fort Road, Port Royal, South Carolina. It is open daily from sunrise to sunset
