We really couldn’t complain about the rain today as most of the east coast north of us was experiencing cold and snow. But it did means that our choice of activities for the day needed to be of the indoor variety.
The Penn Center was the site of the first school for freed slaves. It later became a center for civil rights activity. Today it offers educational and cultural programs that celebrate the culture of the Sea Island and the Gullah people. The museum on the site offers a short film and exhibits that explain the history of the school.
In the afternoon Harry enjoyed one of his favorite travel pastimes, finding the local coffee shop (preferably with WiFi) and hanging out for the afternoon. Marsha engaged in one of her favorite travel pastimes, a sort of busman’s holiday of visiting other historic houses. This time it was the John Mark Verdier House in Beaufort. Built in 1803 by a newly minted planter and shipper to prove his ascendancy to the upper class. The neo-classical house has extensive moldings and decorative woodwork. John Mark Verdier’s days as a wealthy homeowner were numbered and by 1820 he was in debtors prison in Charleston and he died 7 years later. By 1830 his son who was the Mayor of Beaufort lived in the house. By 1860 the Union Army sold the house to the highest bidder (the fate of many of Beaufort’s grand homes). One of the houses finer moments was in 1825 when Lafayette spoke to the citizens of Beaufort from the second floor balcony. After the tour Marsha had a grand time talking “shop” with the tour guide .
The Penn Center was the site of the first school for freed slaves. It later became a center for civil rights activity. Today it offers educational and cultural programs that celebrate the culture of the Sea Island and the Gullah people. The museum on the site offers a short film and exhibits that explain the history of the school.
In the afternoon Harry enjoyed one of his favorite travel pastimes, finding the local coffee shop (preferably with WiFi) and hanging out for the afternoon. Marsha engaged in one of her favorite travel pastimes, a sort of busman’s holiday of visiting other historic houses. This time it was the John Mark Verdier House in Beaufort. Built in 1803 by a newly minted planter and shipper to prove his ascendancy to the upper class. The neo-classical house has extensive moldings and decorative woodwork. John Mark Verdier’s days as a wealthy homeowner were numbered and by 1820 he was in debtors prison in Charleston and he died 7 years later. By 1830 his son who was the Mayor of Beaufort lived in the house. By 1860 the Union Army sold the house to the highest bidder (the fate of many of Beaufort’s grand homes). One of the houses finer moments was in 1825 when Lafayette spoke to the citizens of Beaufort from the second floor balcony. After the tour Marsha had a grand time talking “shop” with the tour guide .