Penn School

school, Saint Helena’s Island, South Carolina, United States

Also known as: Penn Normal, Industrial, and Agricultural School(Show More)

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July 1, 2026

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The Penn School, established in 1862 on St. Helena Island, South Carolina, was one of the earliest and most successful schools for formerly enslaved people after the American Civil War. Founded by Laura Matilda Towne, an educator and abolitionist, the school provided a rigorous curriculum patterned after New England schools. For many decades, it was the only secondary school available to African Americans in the Sea Islands. The school, initially supported by the Pennsylvania Freedmen's Relief Association, later became part of the South Carolina public school system in 1948.1

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Laura Matilda Towne
…friend Ellen Murray established the Penn School, one of the earliest freedmen’s schools, and laid down a rigorous curriculum patterned on the tradition of New England schools. It was for decades the only secondary school available to the African American population of the Sea Islands. From 1870 teacher-training courses were…
Read More
…friend Ellen Murray established the Penn School, one of the earliest freedmen’s schools, and laid down a rigorous curriculum patterned on the tradition of New England schools. It was for decades the only secondary school available to the African American population of the Sea Islands. From 1870 teacher-training courses were…
Read More