| backyard traveler |
owners, where King would practice
the delivery of this speech
in 1963. In 1990, the center was
placed on the “most endangered
historic places” and preserving
the Gullah cultural asset became
the community—and the nation’s—
primary focus.
In 2017, the area was named
a Reconstruction Era National
Historical Park as part of the National
Park Service. Recognizing
the significant historical events
of struggle, success, and transformation
that occurred in Beaufort
County, Penn Center plus
surrounding grounds became
the symbol of emancipation and
Reconstruction.
A museum welcomes visitors
to the campus with guided tours
available. Heritage Days Celebration
is held during the fall of
each year on the grounds of Penn
Center.
Taste the culture
At McKinnon’s Seafood, Wings
and Gullah Tingz in Beaufort,
South Carolina, it’s a family affair
grounded by the culinary skills of
Aldrena McKinnon and the legacy
of her grandfather, legendary
Gullah netmaker Joseph “Capt.
Crip” Legree, Jr., who was born
and raised on Saint Helena Island.
The family restaurant opened in
late 2020 with a menu featuring
traditional Gullah favorites like
okra and rice, plus the day’s local
catch of shrimp, oysters, and
clams.
On the wall, the restaurant’s
tagline: A dreams-do-come-true
production.
“Having a restaurant is a dream
come true,” says Gwen Yvette
McKinnon, sister of Aldrena.
“It’s special to work in a family
business.” Proud of their heritage,
McKinnon’s bears the name of
their father who worked civil service
by day and the river by night,
leading by example the Gullah
ABOVE: An historian walks through the Chapel of Ease on St. Helena Island, built in
1740. Since they were so far from the mainland, the planters constructed this tabby
walled church as a house of worship. TOP RIGHT: The Rev. Kenneth Hodges with the
Gullah Geechee Visitors Center shares the stories behind the art. RIGHT: An artifact in
the museum at Penn Center and a Bible that still remains on the altar at the Coffin Point
Praise House. As many as 25 18x20 foot praise houses were once on St. Helena Island;
only three remain.
72 LAKE OCONEE LIVING | SUMMER 2021