From staff reports
The Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, in partnership with Penn Center, is hosting a free screening of the documentary “To Live as Free Men” at 6 p.m., Tuesday Oct. 17 at 6 p.m. at Darrah Hall at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District.
In 1942, Penn School celebrated its 80th anniversary as a school on St. Helena Island. That fall, to both raise awareness and funds for the school, Penn School Trustee John Silver and Hathen Productions released a 40-minute-long documentary on the history of Penn School entitled “To Live as Free Men.”
The documentary, most of it shot in color and featuring students, faculty, and community members, captures life around both the campus and St. Helena Island, including services inside Brick Baptist Church. Today this film is preserved and available to the public through the Library of Congress.
After the screening, community members who are Penn School alumni or connected to the Penn School community will be given an opportunity to share their reactions and memories.
For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/reer
or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS. And for more information about the Penn Center, visit www.penncenter.com.
