Tybee Vacation Information Center

Located in heart of the South Carolina Sea Islands you will find Penn Center which is one of country’s first schools for freed slaves. It is also one of the most important African American historical and cultural institutions in existence today. The center is located on St. Helena Island, which is one of the most beautiful and historically distinct of the South Carolina Sea Islands. St. Helena Island is located approximiately 67 miles from Tybee Island or about a 1 hour and 35 minute drive.

Penn Center is located in the 50 acre campus of Penn School and sits at the heart of Gullah culture. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1974 and is part of the Penn School Historic District which is comprised of 19 buildings related to and used by Penn School–Brick Church, Darrah Hall, one of the oldest buildings on St. Helena Island, old burial grounds, Gantt Cottage where Martin Luther King Jr. lodged, a Nature Trail, Chowan Creek, acres of pines, native flora and fauna.
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The Savannah area is steeped in African American history. Here is a little information on some (but certainly not all) notable African-Americans from Savannah.
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In 1853 Savannah reserved 4 acres in the New Laurel Grove Cemetery for the city’s African American community. This new burial ground replaced an older black cemetery and several bodies were moved to the new location. Many of Savannah’s prominent black leaders, educators, civic/community leaders, Masons, politicians, entrepreneurs and religious leaders are buried in Laurel Grove south. It continues in use today.
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What better way to refresh yourself on a beach day than to get an ice cream cone! Tradewinds has the best on Tybee and they have two great locations here.

The Tradewinds Snack Shack at 5 Tybrisa has popcorn, cotton candy, hot pretzels, slushies and fountain sodas–old fashioned fun.

Tradewinds Tybee at 23 Tybrisa has homemade ice cream, shaved ice, candy, real fruit smoothies and iced coffee–the real McCoy!

And there’s one shop just on the next Island. Tradewinds Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee at 107 Charlotte Rd. on Whitemarsh Island has 24 ice cream flavors, full coffee and espresso service, a retail area and fresh baked pastries, bagels and such. YUM! Drive time to this location from Tybee: Approximately 15 minutes

On the first Monday of every month Tradewinds (Whitemarsh Island location) has Karaoke Night! Do you like to sing?  Then you are invited to join the fun and excitement! Bring your family and friends and SING for your ICE CREAM! Sing a song for your choice of 24 flavors. Single scoop cup or cone.

Visit Tradewinds Icecream on the web. Call them at 912.898.7515.

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Ralph Mark Gilbert Civil Rights Museum - Named for the father of Savannah’s modern civil rights struggle, Rev. Ralph Mark Gilbert, the museum is Savannah’s only civil rights museum and one of only five in the entire south. The museum is housed in the former Wage Earners Bank building that was built in 1914 and was one of the first African-American banks. The museum’s greatest advocate and founder was W.W. Law, a preservationist and historian. Through the use of interactive exhibits, recreated civil rights settings, and guided and narrated tours, visitors gain deep insight into the tragedy and triumph of Savannah’s civil rights movement. 460 Martin Luther King Blvd., 912.231.8900; tours 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday.
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