Message from the Chairman of the Advisory Board

I am honored to serve as the chairperson of The Second Founding of America: Reconstruction Beaufort Advisory Board. As the chairman, I am committed to supporting the efforts and activities of Reconstruction Beaufort, to bring a broader awareness of its historic significance. I am keenly aware that Reconstruction was a challenging time in our American history that has been overlooked by some and marginalized by others. It is my objective to shine a positive light on the Era of Reconstruction and bring a greater appreciation of how it is knitted in the fabric of our American story.
Michael Allen, Retired NPS Ranger
Message from the Founder
There's nothing more that can begin to heal the soul of this great Nation than to uncover and teach the untold stories of this critical period in history. By doing this we can fulfill the sacred promises of freedom, justice, and equality and create a more civil society.
Billy Keyserling, Former Mayor City of Beaufort
Our Partners
Reconstruction Era National Monument (National Historical Park)
Current and Future Collaborating Organizations
Avery Institute, College of Charleston
Beaufort - Port Royal Visitors and Convention Bureau
Beaufort Area Hospitality Association
Beaufort County Library System
Beaufort History Museum
Baptist Church of Beaufort
Brick Baptist Church
Center for Study of Slavery, The College of Charleston
City Of Beaufort
Coastal Community Foundation
Coastal Discovery Museum
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Facing History and Ourselves
Grand Army Hall of The Republic
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission
Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition
Heritage Library
Historic Beaufort Foundation
International African American Museum
Mitchelville Preservation Project
National Park Service: Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Reconstruction Beaufort Childrens Choir (Link TBA)
Reconstruction Era National Monument (National Historical Park)
Santa Elena History Foundation
Smithsonian Museum of African American History
and Culture
Sons of Confederate Veterans - Beaufort, SC
South Carolina Commission African American History
and Culture
South Carolina Confederate Relic Room
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism
South Carolina Historical Society
Tabernacle Baptist Church - Harriet Tubman Memorial Project
Town of Bluffton
Town of Hilton Head Island
Town of Port Royal
University of South Carolina Beaufort, Historic Campus
University of South Carolina Beaufort, Center for the Arts
University of South Carolina Beaufort, Reconstruction Institute
US Naval Hospital, Beaufort (in Town of Port Royal)


In January 2020, The Second Founding of America: Reconstruction Beaufort had its first Advisory Board Meeting at the Tabernacle Church in Beaufort, SC.
The Second Founding of America: Reconstruction Beaufort's Advisory Board meeting allowed our board members to connect in person and collaborate with each other about the future of the non-profit while also brainstorming about community-based initiatives. While these board members were engaged in group activities, some great ideas were brought to the surface such as:
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strengthening and enhancing the organizational and leadership structure
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continuing to develop a cohesive relationship with the National Park Service
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furthering outreach to communities and schools on a local, state, and national level.
While these were only a few suggestions, we have many more that we would like to implement into The Second Founding of America: Reconstruction Beaufort.
Acknowledgements
Please click on a logo below to find out more information on any of our collaborators.