Golden Isles Issue 1 | Page 34

Five sites to experience Eugenia Price’s Golden Isles THROUGH HER EYES C elebrated Southern author Eugenia Price dedicated much of her literary career to capturing the sights, sounds, charm, and history of Georgia’s Golden Isles. Through her novels, she brought to life a stunning setting that many readers had never experienced before. With her St. Simons trilogy as our guide, we’ve compiled a can’t-miss list of landmarks for the novelist’s most loyal fans. LIVE OAK SHOP Start with a visit to the Live Oak Shop in the Golden Isles Welcome Center to pick up the St. Simons Trilogy: “Lighthouse,” “New Moon Rising,” and “The Beloved Invader.” Despite the decades that have unfolded since Price penned these pages, her intoxicating descriptions of the following spots feel timeless, and characters feel like life- long friends. ◗ 2 CHRIST CHURCH, FREDERICA When you take in the full glory of Christ Church, Frederica, it’s hard not to gain a sense of this Episcopal haven’s deep-rooted history. Beyond its postcard- like presence, the quaint white chapel, bordered by brilliant greenery and patterned in stained glass, is a window into the St. Simons story. The parish’s first worship service dates back to 1736, when English colonists, led by James Oglethorpe, settled here. Christ Church makes many appearances in each of Price’s novels. Given her reverence for the setting, it’s only fitting that she was laid to rest in the same cemetery as so many of her characters. 32 Christ Church, Frederica Take time to stroll the grounds, drink in the Gothic architecture, hear a sermon, and visit the cemetery during the free public tour times, Tuesday through Sunday from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Christ Church offers daily, weekly, and seasonal opportunities for worship. Visit ccfssi.org for schedules. ◗ 3 ◗ 1 Cannon’s Point Preserve ST. SIMONS ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE MUSEUM A true hallmark of St. Simons Island is one that pays homage to Eugenia Price herself. The St. Simons Island Lighthouse Museum is settled along the south end of the island in Pier Village. The museum and gift shop are housed inside the lighthouse’s old keepers’ dwelling, a picturesque red brick abode that, from behind a white picket fence, anchors the lighthouse. Inside, you’ll find an exhibit that highlights “Lighthouse,” the first installment in the trilogy. There’s also a bevy of rare photographs and artifacts on display around the museum. The lighthouse itself is as majestic as the author paints it to be. It is the second iteration of the original lighthouse — the one that was born from the vision of James Gould, Price’s main character in “Lighthouse” —