Explore the Lay of the Land Exhibit

Lay of the Land opened in November 2024 at the Historic Firehouse in Downtown Beaufort.

NPS/Elena De Marco

At the Downtown Beaufort Visitor Center take some time to explore the exhibit “Lay of the Land” and think about the question: “Are we still in the process of Reconstruction?” The exhibit covers the history of Reconstruction, 1861-1900. Exhibit panels cover local, regional, and national events and figures, and address the legacy Reconstruction. 

Opened in November 2024, the exhibit was created by a team at the park with help from partners and an intern from Morehouse College. The exhibit uses the Sea Islands in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as a Case Study for the broader national Reconstruction era. Throughout “Lay of the Land” important Reconstruction figures are highlight both locally and nationally including Charlotte Forten, Robert Smalls, Frederick Douglass, and Ida B. Wells.  

“Lay of the Land” is open when the Visitor Center is open. For more information visit our Operating Hours and Season page. Come and explore the exhibit and learn how formerly enslaved people got the “Lay of the Land” during the Reconstruction Era. 

Details

Duration

30-120 Minutes

Activity

Museum Exhibits

Age(s)

8 and Older

Pets Allowed

No

Only Service Animals are allowed in the Visitor Center.

Activity Fee

No

Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.

Location

Downtown Beaufort Visitor Center, Beaufort, SC

706 Craven Street, Beaufort, South Carolina

Reservations

No

Season

Year Round

Time of Day

Day

For updated hours please check our Operating Hours page.

Accessibility Information

The entire exhibit is on the main floor of the visitor center and can be reached through an accessible door with a small ramp. The exhibit is Audio Described through the UniDescription app that is available for download on IOS and Android. The Audio Description run time is approximately two hours and includes directions around the visitor center. Learn more about the accessible features of our park on our Accessibility page.