Santa Elena Foundation Employee Directory
Museums, Historical Sites, and ZoosSouth Carolina, United States2-10 Employees
The Santa Elena Foundation operates in the museums, historical sites, and zoos sector with a focus on uncovering and preserving the history of early European colonization in the United States. Based in Beaufort, South Carolina, the organization centers its work on the legacy of Santa Elena, a 16th-century settlement on Parris Island that later became a Spanish colonial capital, and aims to broaden understanding of this period through archaeological research and interpretive programs at a cultural center. The foundation seeks to engage international audiences and contribute to the local economy by presenting the discoveries and narratives surrounding the Port Royal Sound area’s early European presence. Its activities are organized around discovery, preservation, and promotion, with plans for an interim interpretive center tied to commemorations of historical milestones and a subsequent permanent facility to advance ongoing education and interpretation. The organization maintains a small-scale operation and collaborates within a field that includes regional historical institutions and preservation efforts. A notable recent development involves preparations for expanding education and interpretation related to 16th-century settlements in the South Carolina Lowcountry.