USCB’s Reconstruction Era Institute Joins National Historic Network, Earns Federal Recognition
USCB’s role as a national leader in Reconstruction-era scholarship has another point of pride: the university’s Institute for the Study of the Reconstruction Era (ISRE) is now part of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network.
Announced by the National Park Service in March, the designation connects the ISRE to a growing network of more than 100 sites, programs, and organizations across the country dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Reconstruction. Spanning the years from about 1861-1910, the Reconstruction era represents a transformative period in U.S. history marked by newfound freedom, expanded educational opportunities, and the ongoing struggle for self-determination among formerly enslaved people. During this time, the nation grappled with integrating millions of newly freed African Americans into social, political, and economic life.
For ISRE, the recognition is both an honor and an opportunity.
“We are honored to be joining this incredible network of historic sites and institutions across the country dedicated to exploring the complexities of the Reconstruction Era,” said Elizabeth L. Laney, research associate for the Institute.
As the only research institute in the nation solely dedicated to the Reconstruction era within a higher education institution, ISRE has become a hub for interdisciplinary scholarship and public engagement. Through lectures, symposiums, K-12 programs and community partnerships, the Institute explores the social, political, economic, and cultural dimensions of Reconstruction, with a particular emphasis on the South Carolina Lowcountry.
The inclusion in the national network is expected to expand the Institute’s reach. Laney noted that ISRE looks forward to new collaborations with fellow network sites and to sharing its work with broader audiences through its presence on the network’s official webpage. The designation also reinforces the Institute’s ongoing mission to elevate understanding of Reconstruction’s lasting impact.
ISRE executive director Dr. Valinda Littlefield said she decided to apply for the competitive designation after representatives from Reconstruction Era National Historical Park encouraged her to apply, citing ISRE’s recent work in promoting knowledge of the 1st South Carolina Volunteers of African Descent—later redesignated as the 33rd United States Colored Troops. Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, located in Beaufort County, is a National Park Service unit dedicated of several historic sites and visitors’ center in downtown Beaufort. ISRE and the park have built a strong collaborative relationship in recent years, working together on public programs and educational initiatives.
The national recognition was formally celebrated during ISRE’s fourth annual symposium on March 20 , where Eric Ellis, a historian with the National Park Service, presented USCB with a certificate commemorating its inclusion in the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network.
As interest in Reconstruction-era studies continues to grow, ISRE’s inclusion in the network positions USCB at the forefront of national efforts to examine one of the most complex and consequential periods in American history—ensuring that generations to come will recognize its importance.
The John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act, signed into law on March 12, 2019, outlined the creation of the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network. This network, managed by Reconstruction Era National Historical Park, includes over 100 sites and programs that are affiliated with the Reconstruction era, but not necessarily managed by the NPS. This network is nationwide and works to provide opportunities for visitors to connect to the stories of Reconstruction.
For more information about the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, visit https://www.nps.gov/subjects/reconstruction/network.htm.
- USCB -
CW 04/01/2026