Part of Civil War @ Charleston Website
2nd. Liberation of Port Royal, hosted by the 54th. Mass. Co. "I" and Historic Penn Center, (one of the sites of the Port Royal Experiment depicted in the Movie Glory) this event depicts the war on the South Atlantic Coast. Civil War Court Martial; Battles with cavalry, infantry and artillery; Sea Island "shout" or prayer meeting; and ladies demonstrations. All held on beautiful St. Helena Island, a major center of traditional Sea Island Gullah African American Culture dating to before the Civil War.
Battles will be at 2:00 p.m. each day. Spectators should bring a folding chair and binoculars if necessary. Video taping and photography is permitted and welcome. $5 per day admission fee includes battle, all demonstrations, admission to Federal and Confederate Camps and a seat at all performances. A food concession will be available to visitors. The Penn Center Museum and trial will also be open.
A Mapquest interactive atlas map is available for the Penn Center area, however the map data for St. Helena Island is not as dense as for an urban area. this location may vary slightly from the actual location of the center, being very near Frogmore. A list of nearby historic sites is also available.
Online articles about two battles in the area are available: The Invasion of Port Royal, Nov. 1861 and The Battle of Port Royal Ferry, Jan. 1862.
Twilight Tactical Saturday evening with structured debriefing by judges; Lodging in historic teacher's houses available on site (with rental charge). Confederate camp on Riverbank in woods, Federal at historic center, both with running water and vehicle access. Wood, hay and straw provided. The site has a nice network of sand roads and trails for riding.
Reenactor's Registration $1 before Sept. 15; $2 at event. Contact Pvt. Joe McGill, P.O. Box 126 St. Helena Island, SC 29920; (803) 838-2432 or email valjoe@aol.com. Proceeds go to preserve Historic Penn Center District. Supporting units include the 27th. SC; Hampton's Legion; 1st. SC Cavalry and the 1st. S.C. Artillary.
A detailed report on the 1996 reenactment is online.