National Park Service staff and partners will be celebrating National Park Week from Saturday, April 20 through Sunday, April 28 at at the Reconstruction Era National Historical Park in Beaufort County.
Special programs and exhibits will be offered throughout the week as part of the celebration, which will showcase the park and highlight stories of Reconstruction.
The celebration will kick off on Saturday, April 20 at Darrah Hall, located at the historic Penn Center on Saint Helena Island. American Gullah, an exhibit by local artist Sonja Griffin Evans, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and a ceremony celebrating Reconstruction Era National Historical Park will take place there at 1 p.m.
Activities will be offered daily at various sites throughout the park.
Reconstruction Era National Historical Park was designated in January of 2017 as a National Monument. The new National Historical Park designation came about as a result of recent legislation.
Activities during National Park Week will focus on the park and its stories. These activities are open to all and are free of charge.
The schedule of events are as follows:
Saturday, April 20 – Darrah Hall at the historic Penn Center, Saint Helena Island
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. – American Gullah Exhibit
10 a.m. – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands program
11 a.m. – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands program
1 p.m. – National Park Week Celebration Ceremony
Sunday, April 21 – Park Visitor Center at 706 Craven Street, Beaufort
Noon to 4 p.m. – Military and Veterans Recognition Day, special programs offered on the hour and special gifts for veterans and military members.
Monday, April 22 – Earth Day Celebration at Park Visitor Center
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Special activities for kids and kids at heart. Video exhibit showcasing the national parks.
Tuesday, April 23 – Transportation Day at Park Visitor Center
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Port Royal Railroad exhibit and National Parks video exhibit
Wednesday, April 24 – Darrah Hall
10 a.m. – Nature walk focusing on survival on the Sea Islands during Reconstruction
Thursday, April 25 – Park Visitor Center
9 a.m. to 4 p.m. – National Parks video exhibit
Friday, April 26 – Park Visitor Center
10 a.m. – Robert Smalls program and walk
Noon – Robert Smalls program and walk
2 p.m. – Robert Smalls program and walk
Saturday, April 27 – Darrah Hall
10 a.m. – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands
11 a.m. – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands
Noon – Reconstruction and the Sea Islands
For more information on the park and programs, visit www.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/reer.
