Yelp Review - Chapel of Ease, St. Helena Island…read more The Chapel of Ease on St. Helena Island is a fascinating and deeply historic site. Originally funded in 1748 to serve parishioners who faced difficult travel to Beaufort, the chapel stood for generations before falling into decline. After the federal occupation in 1861, the building was stripped of its furnishings, and a fire in 1886 ultimately destroyed it. The chapel was never rebuilt. Visiting the site today is both moving and slightly eerie. While exploring the gravestones near where the chapel once stood, I felt a strong sense of the past and couldn't linger long. Still, it's an important and powerful piece of island history. If you appreciate historic sites, this is well worth a stop while visiting St. Helena Island.

Tony and I was driving on a backroad near Beaufort and Port Royal and found this old Chapel built…read morein 1723...almost 300 yrs old. Oyster Shells were used to make the walls of this amazing chapel

This marker recalls the history of a local resident. It reads, "This house, built in 1930, is…read moretypical of materials and methods of construction of those built on the South Carolina Sea Islands from the end of the Civil War to the mid-20th century. It was built on land bought after 1865 by William Simmons (ca 1835-1922). Simmons, born a slave, had served in the U.S. Army during the war, enlisting in the 21st U.S. Colored Infantry as Ira Sherman." The house nearby has the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head which appeared closed today. [Review 12417 overall, 2204 of 2019.]

Very interesting, very small and very old synagogue which my girlfriend and I literally stumbled…read moreupon during our recent travels down south and very brief stay in Beaufort, SC. What made this most interesting to me was the fact that this building didn't look like any synagogue I had ever seen before. If anything it looked like a small church --- the type you've seen on Little House On The Prairie. But clearly its always been a synagogue. I would have loved to have gone inside to check it out, but unfortunately it was closed and as I said, our time in Beaufort was extremely short (approximately 1 hour). If I ever do make my way back to Beaufort, I'll be sure to make sure I have the opportunity to get inside.

Beth Israel Congregation was chartered and incorporated in 1905 and completed in 1908. Services are…read moreheld Friday evenings and Saturday mornings. There are social/religious events throughout the year. A friendly, warm congregation in a beautiful old building. I felt very welcomed.

Penn Center was recommended as a cultural stop during our visit to Beaufort…read more We did not take a tour but overall found the experience underwhelming. Perhaps we had been spoiled by the excellent IAAM in Charleston. The art work was interesting and the history of the school somewhat but if you have limited time I'd recommend elsewhere.

This loosely laid out complex of buildings paints a historical picture of an island that served as…read morea cultural center for what's now called Gullah-Geechee. The immediate sights next to the parking area are a visitor center where you buy tickets and a small history museum where you hand the tickets in. The history museum included an extensive tour by a local docent, from whom I got very specific details about local history and a friendly conversation of the sort the region is known for. It's a hard experience to explain to those who are living a more conventional American life, but part of the conversation here is about preserving history, with signs in the neighborhood hinting at a legal battle to prevent the surrounding island from being bought up and developed the way that some (but not all) of the surrounding islands have been. A restored schoolhouse on the site is National Parks property, unlike most of it which seems locally owned. Tours and events are offered, but at fairly limited times. It is an interesting place to browse and does have exhibits. There are also some handy water fountains and bathrooms in this area. Otherwise, the site includes a walking tour of several buildings of historic significance, most of which were used to house groups of visitors or for some administrative purpose, but the aesthetics were interesting to look at. This isn't the most dramatic or well-developed experience, and while it seemed more visitor areas might be coming, what's there is a compelling picture of island life and a unique culture.

America's Untold Story is right! Santa Elena History Center has a well put together, interactive…read moreexhibit about the "lost century" between Christopher Columbus sailing the ocean blue to the founding of Jamestown in 1607. This is a MUST SEE for any history buff or tourist to the area!

Not far from where I'm having drinks tonight, this marker is in a busy parking lot that seemed to…read morehave quite a lot of cars in it this evening. It's in front of the Shellring Ale Works and the FIshcamp on 11th Street, so if you're looking to do something and read a historical marker, this is your spot. The marker has text on both sides. On the front, "In 1939, the Blue Channel Corporation opened a crab canning factory on this site. Founded by inventor Sterling Harris, the company worked with food scientist Dr. Carl Feller to patent a process that eliminated the blue coloration of canned Atlantic blue crab meat without altering its flavor. The company kept principal offices in Beaufort and briefly operated on Lady's Island before moving here to Port Royal and expanding." And on the reverse, "For years, Blue Channel was the nation's top producer of Atlantic blue crab and one of the largest crab packing firms in the country. The crabs processed here were caught and picked primarily by African American men and women of the local Gullah community who had long crabbed and fished along the Sea Islands. Blue Channel moved its canning operations to the Beaufort Industrial Park in 1978 and closed in 1990." It is marker number 7-66 and was erected in 2020 by the Beaufort County Historical Society, Historic Port Royal Foundation, and Town of Port Royal. [Review 19482 overall - 1054 in South Carolina - 452 of 2023.]

This is a great place to reflect, remember, protect and preserve the local heritage, culture and…read morehistory of Port Royal and the Lowcountry

St Helena's Episcopal Church in Beaufort is a beautiful and historic church. I was able to take an…read moreofficial tour of the church and was impressed with all of the history and the knowledge of the tour guide. Everybody at the church was extremely friendly and welcoming and was happy to have us as guests. You can feel all of the history and years and centuries around you as you enter the church and explore. Everything is well maintained and taken care of here. I enjoyed my visit here and recommend visiting St Helena's Episcopal Church if you are in Beaufort.

Absolutely stunning history. Three US generals and one Signer buried here. This church was very…read moremuch the center of Beaufort's evolution. Docent Theresa was very knowledgeable and brought it to life. Just to be in the sanctuary was humbling.

What a stunning, picturesque and historically significant church - made even more significant by…read morethe active, evangelistic presence and passion of this local congregation with deep historical and spiritual roots! It's a stunning architectural masterpiece! I hope you come upon it and have the opportunity to view it up close and personal! maps://maps.apple.com/?daddr=9899+Highway+321%2C+Robertville%2C+SC