Stay connected with the latest news, events, programs, and stories from Penn Center as we celebrate our history and continue our mission of education, preservation, and community.

We welcomed more than 500 guests throughout Juneteenth weekend. A special thank you to everyone who attended. See the Juneteenth Freedom Day celebration in photos by Amber's Eye Photography.

National Craft Open Studios Weekend
Saturday, July 18 and Sunday, July 19 | 12:00 PM - 5PM

Enjoy crafting? Come out to Penn Center's York W. Bailey Museum for FREE hands-on crafting workshops as part of the inaugural National Craft Open Studios Weekend.

Free Will Clinic at Penn Center 
Saturday, July 18 | 10:00 AM - 2PM

The Lowcountry Legal Volunteers and the Lowcountry Gullah Foundation are hosting a Free Wills Clinic to help community members plan for the future. Walk-ins welcome. The event takes place at Frissell Community House on the Penn Center campus.

Bruce Ingram Exhibit Opening 
Saturday, July 18 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Penn Center's York W. Bailey Museum is hosting an opening reception for Manifesting the Spirit: The Visionary Art of Bruce Ingram. Guests can meet the acclaimed South Carolina folk artist and explore his inspiring new exhibition.

Gullah/Geechee Famlee Day 2026
Saturday, July 25 | 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Come to the Penn Center campus for a weekend celebrating Gullah/Geechee heritage, culture, and community.

Donate to Support the 42nd Annual Heritage Days Celebration

Applications are now available for performers, vendors, parade entries, and sponsors.


Learn more: PennCenter.com/heritage-days

Your Voice Matters! 


Help shape the future of one of St. Helena Island's most important community properties. As part of the St. Helena Economic Feasibility Study, community members are invited to complete the Community Vision & Priorities Survey and share their ideas for the future of the property at the corner of Sea Island Parkway and Polowana Road.

The Art of Believing is a 30-minute documentary that explores the profound relationship between faith, creativity, and personal transformation through the lives of three remarkable Sea Island artists: Rev. Johnnie Simmons, Susan Stone, and John M. Bradley. Hosted by Luke Frazier, Now Communications and Harden Creative, RSVP today to get on the guest list. Following its premiere, the film is scheduled to air on SCETV (PBS) in Fall 2026.

Live Camp Geechee is a 3-day overnight summer camp inspired by the world of Camp Geechee and rooted in Gullah Geechee culture, storytelling, creativity, and immersive hands-on learning.

Held at Penn Center from July 31 through August 2, the camp is open to youth ages 10–18 and will include workshops, activities, games, competitions, and Gullah Geechee-inspired food and cultural experiences. 


If you are interested in registration, please email information@campgeechee.org.

See how Penn Center is making headlines and inspiring conversations locally and beyond.

Read: Penn Center to host first major exhibit for folk artist Bruce Ingram - The Post and Courier

Read: Penn Center to Screen Premiere of 'The Art of Believing' Documentary - Lowcountry Weekly

Penn Center's Executive Director Dr. Robert Adams explains why Penn Center matters in the grand narrative of American history, while Penn Center docent Carla Rabb DeRosa illustrates how the institution transformed lives through education, land ownership, community building, and the preservation of Gullah Geechee culture.