FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park Receives $2.5 Million Investment from The Mellon Foundation

[Hilton Head Island, SC, June 7, 2023] — Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park on Hilton Head Island, a treasured cultural landmark dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of Mitchelville, is thrilled to announce a transformative investment of $2.5 million from the esteemed Mellon Foundation. As the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities, The Mellon Foundation recognizes the profound significance of Historic Mitchelville and its commitment to promoting human understanding through the exploration of arts, culture, and history.

This investment, spread over a two-year period, will pave the way for the realization of key components of the Historic Mitchelville site plan. The Freedom Plaza, The Classroom / Lab building, the Interpretative Trail, and vital infrastructure for the future Interpretive Center will all benefit from this generous funding.

“We are truly honored to receive this extraordinary investment from The Mellon Foundation,” said Ahmad Ward, Executive Director at Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park. Now, at this moment, the relevancy of Historic Mitchelville could not be greater. This is a chance to center our themes of Freedom, Democracy, Citizenship, and Opportunity through the creation of Park elements that elevate the historic property. For example, Freedom Plaza presents an opportunity to connect the HMFP site to West Africa, the birthplace of many residents of Mitchelville. The Classroom / Lab was introduced to the Master Plan because Education is a center point of the Mitchelville story. The community was the site of the first mandatory school system in the State of South Carolina. With that history, it was imperative that a classroom area was included to advance interpretation, share detailed history, and provide specialized programs for youth. Because there is a wealth of history still hidden underneath the soil on the property, HMFP needs to include a small processing lab to support future Archaeology. The existing pathways give HMFP an opportunity to create an Interpretive Trail that will not only expand the history but will highlight the environmental impact of the area and the “science” of living in the Lowcountry.”

Freedom Plaza, a significant addition to the Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park site, will serve as a profound connection to West Africa, the birthplace of many Mitchelville residents. By establishing this link, Freedom Plaza will symbolize the rich cultural heritage that forms the very essence of this historic community.

Education played a pivotal role in the Mitchelville story, making The Classroom / Lab building a critical element of the site plan. Mitchelville was home to the first mandatory school system in the State of South Carolina, and the inclusion of a dedicated classroom area will enable enhanced interpretation, detailed historical exploration, and specialized programs designed for youth.

In recognition of the abundant history still concealed beneath the soil on the property, Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park will establish a small processing lab dedicated to supporting future archaeological endeavors. This lab will be instrumental in unearthing and preserving invaluable artifacts, shedding light on the untold stories that lie buried within the grounds of Historic Mitchelville.

Additionally, the existing pathways offer a unique opportunity to create an Interpretive Trail that expands upon the rich historical narrative while emphasizing the environmental impact of the area. This trail will provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the “science” of living in the Lowcountry, fostering an appreciation for the interconnectedness of history, culture, and the natural world.

The generous investment by The Mellon Foundation demonstrates their unwavering commitment to fostering just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking. This transformative funding will enable Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park to continue its mission of preserving and celebrating the profound legacy of Mitchelville, ensuring that future generations can explore and learn from this significant piece of history.

For more information about Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park and its transformative projects, please visit exploremitchelville.org.

Media Contact:
Courtney Young
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park
Phone: 843-255-7301
Email: cyoung@exploremitchelville.org

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About Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park:
Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park is a cherished cultural landmark dedicated to preserving and celebrating the history of Mitchelville, a significant community founded by formerly enslaved individuals in 1862. The park aims to promote human understanding and foster just communities through the exploration of arts, culture, and history. To learn more about the park’s initiatives and projects, visit exploremitchelville.org.

About The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. Since 1969, the Foundation has been guided by its core belief that the humanities and arts are essential to human understanding. The Foundation believes that the arts and humanities are where we express our complex humanity, and that everyone deserves the beauty, transcendence, and freedom that can be found there. Through our grants, we seek to build just communities enriched by meaning and empowered by critical thinking, where ideas and imagination can thrive. Learn more at mellon.org.