Saturday, July 25, 2009

The Politics Around Ossabaw

Taken from the site: http://www.usg.edu/ossabaw/report/

2009 Annual Report of the Ossabaw Island Education Alliance
January 2009


Overview
As we approach the second decade of this century, the Georgia coast faces a critical issue. On the one hand, it remains remarkably well preserved in contrast to the coast-line of neighboring states. One-third of the salt marsh that exist on the entire east coast today are found within the waters of Georgia, and nine of the thirteen barrier islands boast sand dunes, maritime forests and marsh where the human presence is minimal. On the other hand, development of the mainland along the coast is inevitable, and pressures on barrier islands for greater usage are increasing.

This paradox places a special burden on the Ossabaw Island Education Alliance. Created in 2005, the Alliance exists to stimulate usage of the island by faculty and students of the University System, create educational programs that will benefit the young, and reach out to conservationists, naturalists, artists and writers. The dilemma we face is simple. How do we share this island without destroying it? In the past year, 2008, the Alliance reaped the benefit from the groundwork laid down in previous years. The following is a brief synopsis of the high points.

The Symposium
In August, 2005, the Alliance held a roundtable discussion on Ossabaw of historians, educators and archaeologists to discuss how best to interpret the three tabby slave cabins that stand at the North End. The outcome was a recommendation for a symposium on a much neglected topic, African Americans life in the Georgia Lowcountry from the eighteenth century onwards.
The symposium attracted an array of sponsors. Three regional universities agreed to be co-sponsors with the Ossabaw Island Foundation: Armstrong Atlantic State University, Georgia Southern University, and Savannah State University. The Georgia Historical Society lent its support as did the University of Georgia Press. Finally, the Georgia Humanities Council joined in. Eleven leading scholars were invited to present original research. All but one accepted. This distinguished group included three winners of the Bancroft Prize.

The topic attracted a broadly based audience. Thanks in part to exceptional marketing, 445 people attended the three-day symposium at the end of February 2008. They came from eighteen states and three countries. The participants took part in visits to the cabins on Ossabaw Island, teacher workshops, and a tour of African American sites in Savannah, including the place where the largest slave sale took place in Georgia. The Symposium illustrated a fundamental principle of the Chancellor’s program: finding resources outside the University System to fund university activities. The Alliance raised $71,500 for this occasion and another $30,200 in ticket sales for the special events.

University of Georgia Press
Nicole Mitchelle, Director of UGA Press, supported the idea of a book on African Americans in the Georgia Lowcountry and had her staff give valuable assistance at every step of the way. At the end of May, all ten writers turned in their manuscripts. By September, two reviewers produced an evaluation of the articles and made constructive recommendations. And in December, final revisions were received. At the moment, the senior editor of UGA Press, Nancy Grayson, and I are selecting as many as fifty photographs and images to illustrate the book, which is scheduled to come out this fall. Their intention is to make this a trade book aimed at a general audience as well as specialists.

NEH Planning Grant
The Education Alliance, together with the Foundation, is submitting a request to the National Endowment for the Humanities for a Planning Grant of $40,000 to continue the planning for the interpretation of the three tabby cabins on the site of the North End Plantation. The project will build on the work of the symposium. We spent the past fall assembling a team for this undertaking, writing the proposal, compiling a bibliography and researching the evidence. The cabins offer the opportunity to tell three different stories over time— the enslaved workers of the colonial and antebellum periods, the freedmen of the second half of the nineteenth century and their struggle to carve out an existence for themselves, and the African Americans who left the island in the 1890s to create a small community on the mainland and whose principal activities and culture reflected their earlier life on Ossabaw.

The Georgia Power Island Observatory
Ossabaw Island is a national treasure. Thirty years after its purchase by the state of Georgia, the 26,000-acre island offers a rich set of overlapping eco-systems, with verdant foliage, wildlife peculiar to each system, and a natural beauty that cannot be surpassed. The island consists of a 40,000-year-old backbone and a 5,000-year-old arm attached at the southern end that boast different vegetation and land formations. In going from one to the other, the visitor feels as if she is crossing from one time zone into another.

A main thrust of the Alliance is to share that pristine state with the wider world in a responsible way. The primary thrust is the creation of an ambitious network of sensors, monitors, and video cameras to capture the life cycle of the island and convert it into real- time information and images available on Internet. In the fall of 2007, the Foundation received grants totaling over $200,000 to create the first stage of this observatory. Several organizations are now at work to bring the barrier island’s unique environment into focus in classrooms and household across the nation through the use of broadband technology. Partners include Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Georgia Research Alliance, Armstrong Atlantic State University and NOAA through its grants to SKIO.

In the past several months, two 100-foot towers have been purchased and taken to the island by barge. The first of the towers will be erected near Bradley Beach. Sensors for measuring water quality, salinity and other variables are to be installed on the North End dock. A video camera will be placed on the tower at Bradley Beach. At the present time, the weather station is producing real-time data while a camera on the North End dock offers a 360-degree view.

Ossabest
This past summer, the first wave of students and teachers took advantage of the network and went back to their classrooms this fall to develop projects using the information provided by the Observatory. Armstrong Atlantic State University, under Dr. Ashraf Saad, chair of the Computer Science Department, obtained a grant of $1.1 million from the National Science Foundation to use the Ossabaw Observatory to interest young people in computer technology. During August, 40 students and 30 teachers from the Savannah-Chatham County School System came in four teams to collect weather data, take GPS measurements and to select some object or animal for further study. That study is resulting in a web-based field guide to Ossabaw Island. The teachers spent seven days on Armstrong’s campus to develop lesson plans.
The Savannah Morning News quoted a student from Savannah Arts Academy as saying how delighted he was with what he found on the island: “Aside from the bugs, this place has been great! In a lot of places it’s just untouched, just like it was 500 years ago when the Indians lived here.” That thought captured an essential part of the experience.

The Torrey-West House
In July 2008, seven consultants came together to explore the possibilities for the Torrey- West House when that structure passes back into the hands of the state and then comes under the direction of the Ossabaw Island Foundation. For many years, the Foundation Board has kept discussion of the House off limits in deference to Mrs. West and her desire for privacy. This event marked a turning point. Mrs. West was fully supportive of the effort and spoke at length with the visiting team.

The report affirmed the principle that the optimal use of the House would replicate the spirit of the Ossabaw Island Project of the 1960s and ‘70s. During that period, individuals from different fields of endeavor came together to pursue their own interests and gather for informal conversation. Potential users were identified, including scholars in residence, small think tanks, study tours, group retreats, cultural events, a meeting of scholars, and non-profit board retreats. Suggestions were made about developing partnerships, creating a “ramp-up” strategy that would use the house sooner than later, outlining options in operating the House, and establishing a sound financial base.

The on-island educator for the Foundation and I journeyed to Sapelo Island to survey the Reynolds Mansion and its operation. That structure comes closer than any other to providing a model for how to manage a barrier island study center. The annual budget is $500,000 and the facility is close to but not quite at the break-even point. The manager emphasized how little he and his small staff have to do for host groups. Once on Sapelo, visitors are stunned by the live oak trees, marsh, wildlife and exotic sub-tropical appearance and take over their own experience. Although the Reynolds Mansion does not have the same commitment to “study, research and education” as the Education Alliance, its workings offer insights in how to handle food, linen, room service, and maintenance. “Keep matters as simple as possible; that is what people want,” says James Maunde, who directs the estate.

Visits to Other Sites
This fall, a team from the Foundation and Alliance visited Hobcaw Barony and Yawkey Wildlife Center near Georgetown, S.C., to see how these two locations handle using coastal sites for study, research and education. Hobcaw Barony consists of 17,000 acres given to Clemson and the University of South Carolina for marine biology, and forest and wildlife research. There are fifteen full-time faculty members present as well as 35 graduates and associates. Yawkey Wildlife Center consists of three islands off Georgetown, with 22,000 acres. It has an enormous endowment and is open to college students and faculty at no charge. Hobcaw Barony was a bit like the UGA Marine Institute on Sapelo except more extensive and active. Yawkey is a good illustration of what a sound endowment will do for serious research. It was interesting to note that UGA classes go over to this location for study. Again, there is no charge in reaching the island and no charge once on the island. The only requirement is that visitors bring their own food.

I want to thank Dr. Cathie Mayes Hudson for participating in two of the biggest events of the year. She came to the symposium and attended three days of presentations and activities. And she joined the team of consultants to examine future possibilities of the Torrey-West House, devoting valuable time to helping establish ground rules for considering how best to use this structure.

Paul M. Pressly,Ph.D.DirectorOssabaw Island Education Alliance

List of Original Afrikaan Families

If you are a descendant of one of the original Afrikaan families to Ossabaw. Please send in a comment with your family name.

Pin Point Historic Designation

Pin Point Historic District
The Pin Point Historic District was designated on February 27, 2009 by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners.

What are the Pin Point Design Standards?
The Pin Point Design Standards are part of the designation ordinance. MPC Staff worked with Pin Point residents to develop design standards. Click here for a copy.

What are the boundaries of the district? How do I know if I'm in the district?
Please see the map of the historic district boundaries.

What if I live in the district but my house is not historic?
All structures within the historic district have been evaluated and determined to be "contributing" or "non-contributing." A contributing structure adds to the historic or architectural value for which the district is significant. Typically, contributing structures are older than 50 years. Non-contributing structures do not add to the historic or architectural value for which the district is significant. Typically, non-contributing structures are less than 50 years old. Alterations to non-contributing structures do have some design standards to meet, but they are to ensure that changes are compatible with the character of the district and are different from the design standards for contributing structures. For example, there may be no restrictions on the demolition of non-contributing buildings, while there may be restrictions on the demolition of contributing buildings.

What if something on my property does not meet the standards? Do I have to remove it?
No, the standards would only apply when you want to make a change to your property. They are not retroactive and you do not have to un-do any changes already made.

What's the difference between a National Register Historic District and a Local Historic District?
A National Register Historic District is a federally-designated historic district. While it certainly prestigious to be designated as a National Register Historic District, the designation is more of an honorary title that does not provide any protection of historic resources on privately funded projects (if the project is federally funded, more protection is provided). A local historic district provides real protection of historic resources. All exterior material changes must meet the design standards developed for the area before a building permit is issued.For more information on the differences between National Register historic districts and local historic districts, click here.

What sorts of things require a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) and what things are excluded?
Additions, alterations which increase liveable space (such a porch enclosures), new construction, demolition, relocation of buildings, signs, and certain site alterations such as a fence, paving, or pools require a COA. Regular maintenance and repair doesl not require a COA. Color changes do not require a COA. Any changes not visible from the public right-of-way do not require a COA. Any changes to the interior which have no effect on the exterior do not require a COA. Signs less than three square feet will not require a COA.

What sorts of projects are reviewed at Staff Level and what projects go before the CCHPC?
Many projects can be reviewed at Staff Level. Only new construction, additions over 500 square feet, and demolition of historic resources go to the CCHPC for review. Thisl gives the public the opportunity to comment on major changes within the district.

What other communities in Georgia have local historic districts?
As of September, 2006, 126 communities in Georgia have historic preservation ordinances. Many of these have multiple historic districts within their community. Please click here for a full list.

What are the economic implications of historic preservation?
Donovan Rypkema, an internationally known expert in preservation economics, recently gave a lecture entitled Preservation Economics in Coastal Georgia. You can link to a video of his 40 minute talk by clicking here:
http://www.coastalgeorgiardc.org/planning_rypkema_v2_small.html

For more information or to comment, please contact Ellen Harris atmailto:harrise@thempc.org or 912-651-1482.

Preserving Our Heritage

Taken From: Chatham County Commissioner Meeting

CHATHAM COUNTY HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
110 EAST STATE STREET
ARTHUR A. MENDONSA HEARING ROOM
July 2, 2008 2:00 P.M.


MINUTES
CCHPC Members Present: Daves Rossell, Chairman
George Cohen, Vice-Chairman
Jane A. Feiler
Vaughnette Goode-Walker
William Haynes
Stephen T. Lindell
Pamela G. Lossing
Christian Sottile
Lisa L. White

CCHPC/MPC Staff Members Present: Thomas L. Thomson, P.E., AICP, Executive Director
Ellen Harris, Historic Preservation Planner
Janine N. Person, Administrative Assistant

I. WELCOME
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m.

II. INTRODUCTIONS
Dr. Rossell asked Board and Staff members to introduce themselves.

III. Guest Speaker: Dr. Paul Pressly, Director, Ossabaw Island Education Alliance, “African-
American Life in the Georgia Low-Country: Ossabaw and Pinpoint”
Ms. Harris stated that Dr. Paul Pressly is the Director of the Ossabaw Island Education Alliance and that many have worked with him in the past. She said she was excited to have Dr. Pressly talk about African-American life in the Georgia Low-Country, Ossabaw, and Pinpoint. She hoped that Pinpoint would be the first local historic district, that they were waiting for comments from the County Attorney, and that everything was prepared but was a matter of going through the process. Dr. Pressly stated that three years ago there was a discussion between historians, archaeologists, and anthropologists from Ossabaw Island about how South Carolina did a wonderful job with the Gullah heritage. He said there is the Penn Center, the Avery Institute and basket weaving, and Georgia has neglected the Geechee heritage for lack of sites. He showed a DVD about the history and development of Ossabaw Island.

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He said they lost one of their greatest advocates about four weeks ago when Mr. Bo Bowens passed away. The Ossabaw Island Foundation has a use agreement with the State of Georgia that says the foundation is responsible for approving educational groups who come onto the island and for preserving the structures on the island. They have raised money to reroof the main house, the clubhouse that is an old 1880’s hunt house, and the three tabbies, one built in the 1920’s and two built in the 1840’s. They are especially interesting because they were continuously lived in from the 1840’s until the 1980’s. That is why they are in good shape.

Mr. David Crass, the state archaeologist, said that they are the best preserved cabins in the state of Georgia. They could be used to tell three different stories of Ossabaw Island: the antebellum period, the African-Americans in the late 19th century, and the story of 20th century workers living there. He found that there is a contact between Ossabaw and Pinpoint, got in touch with Mr. Bowens, and in June of 2006, 17 people came to Denegal Marina from Pinpoint. Mr. Jim Bitler, the educator, was showing the tabby cabins but the people weren’t paying attention to him because they were pointing out where they lived and how their lifestyles were. They realized the people knew more than they did and allowed them to take over the tour. These people grew up there in the 1940’s and they wanted to recapture their story.

Working with Pinpoint, an incredible discovery was made that many of the people at Pinpoint are descendents of people who came from Ossabaw, including Mr. Bill Haynes. In the late 19th century approximately 150 African-Americans on the island were tenant farmers and the one cultural institution they had was the Hinder Me Not Baptist Church.

In the 1890’s when the people left they went to Pinpoint and brought the church but renamed it to the Sweet Field of Eden Baptist Church. The church later split and the other church became the Beulah Baptist Church. Mr. Bill Haynes’ great-grandfather, Mr. Ben Bonds, was the Pastor of the Hinder Me Not Baptist Church. They realized that they are in possession of something unique and are attempting to help preserve and tell the stories of Pinpoint in conjunction with Ossabaw. He said that they have help with the Board of Regents, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and the Gullah/Geechee National Heritage Cultural Commission behind them. They need to make partnerships with institutions in Savannah. They are partners with the Georgia Conservancy and are raising money to help Pinpoint develop a blueprint to help the community come together to preserve themselves for the future.

The Chairman of the National Gullah/Geechee Heritage Commission, Mr. Emory Cambell, translated the New Testament into Gullah and they have some other things going on.
Ms. White stated that Ossabaw was on the National Register of Historic Places and asked if it would make sense for Ossabaw to be on the Chatham County Register of Historic Places.
Dr. Pressly stated that it sounded like a good idea to him. Mr. Cohen thanked Dr. Pressly for the presentation and asked about the plans for public access.

He said there was publicity a few years ago but that he did not know the latest. Dr. Pressly stated that there is a partnership between the Ossabaw Island Education Alliance, where he is the director and the Department of Natural Resources, the Board of Regents, and the Foundation to open the island for educational purposes: for study, research, and education. They are increasing visitation and anyone who defines themselves as an educational group may come over, but there is a transportation problem because there is no ferry service and they don’t have a boat. They are talking with DNR to see if something can be done. He said they have raised over one million dollars to create an observatory on the island that will be called the Georgia Power Observatory and is a network of monitors, video cameras, and sensors at various strategic points that will be monitoring environmental change. There will be different groups coming like the Warnell School of Forest Resources, the Odom School of Ecology, Georgia Southern, etc., primarily educational groups. They want to bring other groups that are not just inside of a school setting and said that if the Commission had some good tips that they would like the help.
Mr. Cohen stated they are doing an admirable job that is probably challenging.

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Dr. Pressly stated that Mr. Cohen touched on a sensitive point - the island is supposed to be used for education but many people aren’t visiting it. He said everyone feels it is a wonderful resource and they want to open it up and remain true to the vision of study, research, and education without a ferry or bridge. It is a challenge and they try to share the island through the internet, but it is limited. They have talked about building an education center
in a location where a barn collapsed and they want to reconstruct the barn and put a presentation center in it. Ms. Goode-Walker commended Dr. Pressly on the work that is done with Ossabaw, the Foundation, and the Education Alliance. She asked what the fallout has been after the conference in February and did the momentum continue from the symposium.
Dr. Pressly stated that because of the symposium, the Georgia Historical Society has organized trips to the island of one week workshops for the community college teachers. He said two weeks from now there will be 25 community college teachers coming from Maine to California to visit Ossabaw and Sapelo, and to look at areas in Savannah.

Ms. Feiler asked if there is any documentation of Mrs. Eleanor Torrey-West’s project that was done with the artist colony that lived on the island.
Dr. Pressly stated that they have tried to get Mrs. West to turn over her archives. He said that the Georgia Historical Society has some of the archives and that they have written to approximately 400 artists that they are starting to get back. It has started but they have a long way to go. Mr. Lindell asked if there have been studies on the importance of preserving natural areas after the devastation of New Orleans and Katrina. Dr. Pressly stated that they are way ahead of the curve. He said the State of Georgia has an incredible legacy with nine of the thirteen barrier islands being well-protected. When Georgia is compared to Florida and South
Carolina, Georgia can stand tall, but it cannot be taken for granted because you don’t know what the State Legislature would do. Mr. Lindell asked about the volume of people tolerated on the island. Dr. Pressly stated that they only take approximately 25 to 30 people at a time per day so it is limited to what they can do. He said it is so primitive there is only one wagon to take people in. It is a dynamic tension and they have to keep thinking it through. He would personally like to see them be able to take more people to the north end to
let people see the tabbies. He said there will be 24/7 video cameras on the alligator den, the rockery, and an infrared
camera watching sea turtles coming up at night. He has become aware of how much is out there in terms of
Geechee communities, like Montgomery, Sandfly, White Bluff, and Coffee Bluff and there is so much there that
is about to be lost.

IV. COMMISSIONERS’ ITEMS
Ms. White asked if Board members received a letter from the Ardsley Park-Chatham Crescent Garden club requesting that someone from the Commission attend a presentation about the significance of the Ardsley Park- Chatham Crescent neighborhoods.

She said they will celebrate the centennial in 2010 and that they are planning events and a legacy profit. With the Commission’s permission she would go, although it is outside of their scope. Dr. Rossell thanked Ms. White for bringing it to the Commission’s attention and volunteering to go. He asked when it would be held.

CCHPC Minutes – July 2, 2008 Page 4

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Ms. White stated that there are two meetings: one on Thursday, July 10 at 6:00 p.m. and the other is on Monday, July 14 at 6:00 p.m. She said that both meetings will be held at 3601 Abercorn Street at the home of Mrs. Jo Hickson who is a retired landscape architect.

V. MEETING MINUTES - June 4, 2008
Mr. Lindell stated that on Page 3 through Page 4 he had asked about the current status of the World War II monument. He asked that the discussion be stricken from the record.

CCHPC ACTION: Ms. White made a motion that Chatham County Historic Preservation Commission approve the minutes as amended. Mr. Haynes seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

Dr. Rossell stated that if anyone is interested in the full record of any meetings that Staff has access to the recording of the meetings.
Ms. Feiler stated that Dr. Rossell would be giving a lecture next Thursday night July 10 at the Telfair at 6:00 p.m. on the subject of architecture.

Dr. Rossell stated that there is an exhibit at the Telfair about William Christenberry, a photographer who is wellknown for his photographs of vernacular architecture, particularly in western Alabama. If anyone is interested please come.

He said the Commission should pursue the designation of Ossabaw Island or begin discussions related to the designation of Ossabaw as one of the Chatham County Historic Preservation designated sites.

Ms. Harris stated that she has sent several letters to let them know they are qualified and has not received a response.
Ms. Goode-Walker asked who Ms. Harris sent the letters to.
Ms. Harris stated that they were sent to the director of the foundation.
Dr. Rossell stated that Dr. Pressly is the director.
Ms. Harris stated that he is the director of the Educational Alliance which is a different organization.
Dr. Rossell stated that Dr. Pressly seemed amenable to the idea.
Ms. Feiler asked if Ms. Harris had contacted Ms. Zelda Tannebaum.
Ms. Harris stated that she sent the letters to Ms. Elizabeth DuBose.
Ms. Goode-Walker stated that Ms. DuBose works with Dr. Pressly.
Mr. Haynes stated that he is on the Board and that he would ask them.
Ms. Feiler asked about an update from Mr. Michael Brown.
Dr. Rossell stated that Mr. Brown is in charge of providing the Commission with parking stickers and it is unfortunate that every Commission that only meets once a month will not have their parking stickers renewed. He said that he parked upstairs very easily today.

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Mr. Thomson stated that if they park in the garage and put their name on the back of the ticket along with the letters “MPC” that it would be taken care of.

Dr. Rossell stated that he appreciated all of the help they’ve had trying to pursue this.
Ms. Harris stated that on next Tuesday, July 8, at 11:30 a.m. she and Ms. Bridget Lidy will give a Brown Bag lunch at the MPC on their trip to France, and she invited the Commission members to attend.

VI. ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business to come before the Chatham County Historic Preservation Commission, the meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:45 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Ellen Harris,
Preservation Planner
EH/jnp

Remembering BoBo

An online diary of support taken from Coastal Outdoors

Bo has been diagnosed with lung cancer. He's not doing so good. He has been operated on and is currently going through treatments. I've know Bo since 1987. We both worked at Gulfstream. He always greeted me with a smile, a "How's it going, Dan," followed by a hardy laugh. He was one on the more recognizable people there. That says a lot for a place with 3-4,000 employees.

When he retired and was approached about buying Bandy's I was glad he did because I got to continue to visit with him. When I had time I would sit on the porch with him and we'd laugh together as we watched the "hey y'all watch this" types recover their boats.

I think we should do something to show our support for both Bo and Liz. They are both wonderful people. As usual, I don't have time to organize anything, but it sure would be nice if the Coastal Outdoors family got together and did something for them. Maybe some with th e time could volunteer to run the drag net for them to get bait shrimp. Maybe others could run the bait store for them for a couple of hours a week. I don't know, I'm just throwing some ideas out there. A fishing tournament would be a good idea to help raise money and awareness for them.

Whatever we come up with, we should approach Liz with what we want to do to make sure she is OK with it. The media would be a great tool to help get the word out also.

Y'all see what you can come up with. Thanks.

Back To Ossabaw

Daylong trip to Ossabaw Island helps Pin Point residents and others reconnect to their heritage

Visit: http://savannahnow.com/node/258213

Some came to see history firsthand. Others came to revisit a childhood home or to celebrate the contributions of the Gullah-Geechee people.

On Saturday, more than 40 people took a cold, choppy boat ride across the water to Ossabaw Island. There, they spent the day rediscovering their roots, shoring up images and cementing memories to pass on to their communities on the mainland.

The group, composed of residents from Sandfly, Skidaway Island, Pin Point, Hilton Head Island and other places, was among the 2,000 or so people who will be granted access to the island this year.

After it was designated as the state's first Heritage Preserve in 1978, only those with education, research, cultural or historical aims are allowed access to Ossabaw.

Saturday's visit, arranged by the Ossabaw Island Education Alliance in conjunction with the Ossabaw Island Foundation, fit firmly under the "cultural" and "historical" categories.

The group, separated into a pontoon boat and two smaller vessels, launched from the Skidaway Narrows boat ramp and slowly chugged its way to the island.

The wind-whipped passengers piled into a former hunting lodge called the Clubhouse to defrost in front of the fire.

Jim Bitler, the Ossabaw Island Foundation's on-island coordinator, reeled off a few facts about the island and its past and present inhabitants, but he stressed the aim of the day was to share recollections passed down from earlier generations.

"I have as much to learn from you as you do from me," he said.

Everyone loaded into the back of a trailer and proceeded down one of the oldest, continuously used roads in America. The island has slowly been allowed to revert back to its natural state, and there was a hint of wildness to the foliage - the massive, sprawling oaks, the dense canopies of Spanish moss, the clumps of palmettos. Low-lying branches brushed the tops of heads.

The scenery prompted Marion "Bo" Bowens, who lived on the island as a child, to mention that horses were the main mode of transportation on the island for a long time.

"I bet that was fun, huh Bo?" someone asked.

"For the guys that rode the horses it was!" he replied.

After a couple of miles, the caravan stopped at Middleplace, an area once used for timbering. The site was marked by a huge mound of sawdust and a few freestanding tabby walls (a concoction of sand, lime, oyster shells and water).

Renee Sams peered closely at a crumbling wall and slowly ran her hand over it, trailing dust.

"I am amazed," she said. "This is historic in a real sense of the word. Can you imagine how long it took them to make this with the shells?"

The visitors headed back to the Clubhouse for lunch and to share their thoughts on the day so far.

Emanuel "Hemo" Williams lived on the island until he was 5. His mother worked as a maid and his father was a gardener. Williams recalled his dad crabbing off the main dock and his own small hands helping pull in the crab line.

His voice shook at the memory, now more than 50 years old.

"I'm just so overwhelmed to be back," he said.

The day's trip included historical and cultural lessons as well as familial memories.

Living historian Jamal Toure appeared as the "spirit of the island" to remind the group of how the Gullah-Geechee people have contributed to American culture, from before the time of the "Big Shoot" (the Civil War) to today.

Very late in the afternoon the group headed back to the mainland. Kesi Sams, who came on the trip at the request of her father, Adolphus Morris Sams, said she'd never seen him so happy.

All her life, her dad recounted the struggle growing up as a black man in the South, but on Saturday "a little boy came out that I have never seen."

Hearing stories about her dad living on the island all those years ago - playing on the beach, swimming, roping cattle - was a revelation.

"You don't hear about the lighthearted stuff. It's good that he had time to enjoy life when he was young."

The elder Sams came away from the island with a renewed purpose to keep telling the stories of his youth spent on Ossabaw.

"If you know about your culture, you can find your place without getting lost in this world," he said.

"I know who I am. I don't need anyone to validate who I am. I'm from Ossabaw."