Hamilton Plantation
Tabby Slave Cabins
SOUL OF
THE SOUTH
Significant African-American heritage
sites you don’t want to miss
St. Simons Island
HISTORIC HARRINGTON SCHOOL CULTURAL CENTER
The last remaining African-American schoolhouse on the Georgia coast,
this historic site has been lovingly protected and restored through the
efforts of the St. Simons African-American Heritage Coalition, St. Simons
Land Trust, Supporters of the Park at Harrington, the Glynn County
Commission, and generous community members. Twelve acres
surrounding the schoolhouse include walking trails, two ponds with
viewing platforms and more.
IGBO LANDING
Pronounced EE-bo, this location has a haunting and grim story during the
height of slave trade in the South. Rather than submit to slavery, a captive
group of Igbo people (present day Nigeria) drowned themselves in local
waters upon arriving on St. Simons Island. The believed site of Igbo
Landing is now on private property, but can be seen while crossing Fancy
Bluff Creek on Sea Island Road.
FIRST AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH
Organized in 1859 at Pikes Bluff & West Point plantations, this is the only
surviving African-American church on St. Simons Island that dates back to
the plantation era. The original pews can be seen in the balcony. An active
congregation still worships at the church each week.
HAMILTON PLANTATION SLAVE CABINS
Two of the few surviving antebellum slave cabins in Georgia, these
structures have been carefully preserved by local organizations. Private
tours may be scheduled by calling 860.212.2220 or 404.374.3932.
Jekyll Island
THE WANDERER MEMORY TRAIL
This new, family learning experience moves beyond a dark time in history
and brings to light the legacy and influence of the survivors of slavery. The
interactive trail follows the story of Umwalla, a young African boy captured
by slave traders and smuggled into America via Jekyll Island on one of the
last known slave ships.
Brunswick
SELDEN PARK
Originally opened in 1903 as the Selden Normal and Industrial Institute, an
education center for African-Americans, the school operated for 30 years
before merging with another in Cordele, Georgia. The site reopened as a
recreation facility for African-Americans in 1950. The public park still
operates today.
HOFWYL-BROADFIELD PLANTATION
Once the site of a prominent rice plantation, this site is now a state historic
site. Visitors to the plantation can tour the plantation home built by slave
labor, explore the vast grounds, and learn about the history of the
plantation era in coastal Georgia.
OAK GROVE CEMETERY
A Victorian Era cemetery established by the city of Brunswick in 1838, it
is estimated there are more than 1,200 graves at Oak Grove Cemetery.
Prominent African-American residents are buried here, including Captain
Douglas Risley who established Risley Colored Memorial School,
Brunswick’s first public school for African-Americans.
BESSIE JONES
Bessie Jones was a founding member of the famed Georgia Sea Island
Singers, a group of African-Americans who used songs and dance to share
the history of their families’ and ancestors’ lives as slaves in coastal Georgia.
The group traveled the country and performed at Carnegie Hall, the World’s
Fair, and even at the 1976 inauguration of President Jimmy Carter.
NEPTUNE SMALL
Neptune was a slave of the King family at Retreat Plantation, and was
responsible for looking after the King children. When the Civil War broke out
in 1861, Neptune accompanied the third King son, Henry Lord Page King, into
service for the Confederacy. King died in the field, and
Neptune risked enemy fire to retrieve the son’s body. He brought it home
to St. Simons Island, where he was buried at Christ Church’s cemetery.
Neptune then returned to the war to serve the youngest King son, until
Confederate forces surrendered in 1865.
Visit a handmade
sculpture of Neptune
Small by local artist Kevin
Pullen at the Golden Isles
Welcome Center on St.
Simons Island.
Goldenisles.com 31