Johns Island Conservancy

The Progressive Club was established in 1948 by Esau Jenkins to help the people of John’s Island and the surrounding areas.   At the time, there were few services available for the people who lived along southern River Road section of Johns Island.   In addition the lack of education on the Island and discriminatory voting laws, especially literacy tests, prevented people from voting.   The Progressive Club was established to provide community services and voter education.   The Club included a grocery store, a recreation center, child care facilities and, importantly, classroom space for citizenship and voting classes.   The Citizenship School started at the Progressive Club in 1957 became  the model for similar schools throughout the Southeast US and key element in the Civil Rights movement of the late 50s and early 60s.   A state historic marker was installed at the Club by the Preservation Society of Charleston on September 8, 2013, at 3383 River Road (see Post & Courier article).   The marker is one of a series of five to be erected by the Preservation Society around the Charleston area marking the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights movement.   The Johns Island Conservancy helped host the unveiling ceremony with some display panels fro the Tree of Life exhibit and serving light refreshments.