News Release

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park to Host Student-Produced Exhibit, Tied to the Land, at Darrah Hall

Tied to the Land will be on display at Darrah Hall from November 8 through January 18

Morehosue Movement, Menory, & Justice Project

News Release Date: October 30, 2023

Contact: Chris Barr, 843-441-3156

Contact: Tendaji Bailey

BEAUFORT, SC- Reconstruction Era National Historical Park will host an exhibit and symposium entitled Tied to the Land. The student-produced exhibit will be on display at Darrah Hall at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District beginning November 8 and will run through January 18. In support of the exhibit, there will be a symposium at Darrah Hall on November 10 at 2 pm.

Tied to the Land is produced by students with the Morehouse College’s Movement, Memory, and Justice Project sponsored by the Mellon Foundation. The exhibit will display the long history of Gullah Geechee land ownership - how it was acquired, how it has been lost, and the ways these communities are fighting to hold on to the land. Tendaji Bailey, Associate Director of the project, shared the purpose of Tied to the Land, saying “Our culture is so deeply connected to the soil and waters that have sustained Gullah Geechee communities since the end of the Civil war. This exhibit gives us an opportunity to begin dialogue about how our communities can continue to hold onto it now and into the future.” Chris Barr, the Chief of Interpretation for the park remarked, “When Reconstruction Era National Historical Park was established, part of the vision was that Darrah Hall would remain a space for community expression, and we’re excited to host Tied to the Land and a symposium for the community to share their story.”

The exhibition will be open to the public at Darrah Hall from November 8, 2023 through January 18, 2024. There is no admission fee, and Darrah Hall is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 am to 5 pm. On November 10, 2023 at 2 pm at Darrah Hall, the Movement, Memory, and Justice Project will hold symposium featuring community leaders, scholars, and speakers exploring issues of land ownership. This symposium will take place during the 39th Annual Heritage Days at Penn Center, and it is free and open to the public.

For more information about Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, visit www.nps.gov/reer or follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ReconstructionNPS.