News Release

Reconstruction Era National Historical Park to Host Screening of "To Live as Free Men"

This image from "To Live as Free Men" shows young students in a classroom at Penn School.

Penn Center/Library of Congress

News Release Date: October 6, 2023

Contact: Chris Barr, 843-441-3156

BEAUFORT, SC- Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, in partnership with Penn Center, invites the public to attend a free screening of the documentary To Live as Free Men on Tuesday October 17 at 6 pm at Darrah Hall at the Penn Center National Historic Landmark District.

In 1942, Penn School celebrated its 80th anniversary as a school on St. Helena Island. That fall, to both raise awareness and funds for the school, Penn School Trustee John Silver and Hathen Productions released a 40-minute-long documentary on the history of Penn School entitled To Live as Free Men. The documentary, most of it shot in color and featuring students, faculty, and community members, captures life around both the campus and St. Helena Island, including services inside Brick Baptist Church. Today this film is preserved and available to the public through the Library of Congress.

On Tuesday, October 17 at 6 pm, at Darrah, Reconstruction Era National Historical Park will screen the 1942 documentary To Live as Free Men at Darrah Hall. Afterwards, community members who are Penn School alumni or connected to the Penn School community will be given an opportunity to share their reactions and memories. 

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