The national park service acquired the island in 1972 and created the cumberland island national seashore to protect the island s resources. Creating conservation cumberland island becomes a national seashore. This book tells the story of everything that lives on cumberland island, from. The island was, and remains, the home of many people. Our little town is referred to as the gateway to cumberland island, ga proudly. Carol ruckdeschels vivid natural history of cumberland island. We look forward to hearing from you and hope to see you at cumberland soon. Cumberland island did not just become a national seashore overnight. It is a wild beach, so being prepared and taking a few precautions will make for a more enjoyable visit. Cumberland island is located seven miles east of st. Her books include robert stafford of cumberland island georgia, an abandoned black settlement on cumberland island, and.
Come walk in the footsteps of early natives, explorers, and wealthy industrialists, where the stories of both man and nature live. Browse the amazon editors picks for the best books of 2019, featuring our favorite. Plum orchard coordinates is an estate located in the middle of the western shore of cumberland island, georgiathe estate and surrounding area are listed on the national register of historic places designed by peabody and stearns for george lauder carnegie, a son of thomas m. Two story blue building along brick walkways, with american flag flying. An integral part of the mission of the conservancy is to serve as a costeward of the natural, cultural, and historical resources of cumberland island with the national park service to provide a rich and rewarding experience for the visitors to the seashore. Bullard is an independent scholar specializing in sea island history. The wildest woman in america and the fight for cumberland island harlan, will on. Bullard was an independent scholar specializing in sea island history. Cumberlands beach is now a protected national seashore, and much of.
St marys is the gateway to cumberland island, georgias largest and southernmost barrier island. After visiting cumberland island, i wanted to know more about its history. Visiting cumberland island national seashore this is my south. As a cumberland island resident, she was involved in the creation and preservation of cumberland island national seashore. To make reservations for camping on the island, please visit this website and make your reservation online. Check out the map to the right for campsite information or visit the cumberland island national seashore camping page. First a history of the establishment, management, and conservation issues of the site, cumberland island national seashore also serves as a revealing look at the ongoing national battle between ecosystem preservation, historic conservation, and lingering private use in the park system. A history chronicles five centuries of change to the landscape and its people from the days of the first native americans through the latetwentiethcentury. The history of people on cumberland island is rich, varied and linked to the island s complex natural habitat. Ferry times are limited and vary depending on the time of year, so be sure to check times before you go so you dont miss the last boat back to the mainland. A concessionoperated passenger ferry departs from downtown st. It also covers the history of wilderness preservation generally and the history of cumberland island specifically.
Carol ruckdeschel is a biologist, naturalist, environmental activist and author. Cumberland island is home to 17 miles of undeveloped beach. A natural history of cumberland island mercer university press. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. To plan a visit or contact the park directly, visist the national park serive here. Cumberland island is a national seashore, wilderness, and global biosphere. In 1955 the national park service named cumberland island as one of the most. Located off the coast of georgia, cumberland island wa. View all hotels near cumberland island national seashore museum on tripadvisor. Marys, georgia, where you board the ferry bound for cumberland island national seashore. While cumberland island national seashore may be known for its natural beauty, it has just as much to offer when it comes to human history. Then you can start reading kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer no kindle device required. Her books include robert stafford of cumberland island georgia. Dungeness on cumberland island, georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in american history.
Today, the park encompasses over 9,000 acres made up of the marshes, forests, waters, and shores of the historic island. Natural history of the seashore for adults natural history books about nature and animal life of ocean coasts of the world for adult readers biology, conservation, environment, ecology, botany, science, ethology, animals, plants, mollusks, seashells, crustaceans, fish, etc. Hotels near cumberland island national seashore museum. The visitor center is the primary information point for the national seashore, and where visitors come to check in for their ferry reservations. Plenty of warm sun, blue water, and soft sand greet visitors. No docks, houses, or other structures interrupt its serene beauty. Natives, missionaries, enslaved african americans and wealthy industrialists all walked here. There are a couple out there but this was recommended by a park ranger. Many of them are the people who worked to make cumberland island available as the cumberland island national seashore. Greyfield inn is the sole commercial establishment on cumberland island, giving guests an unprecedented opportunity to connect with nature at its most. Day visitors and campers reach the island via the cumberland island ferry from the cumberland island national seashore visitors center in st. The seashore features beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. Cumberland island offers 18miles of nearlyisolated beachfront, 300yearold live oaks draped with spanish moss, crushed shell paths, and an abundance of wildlife untouched by the outside world.
No one really knows how long human beings have used its resources for survival, or been inspired to create art, or simply taken solace in its awesome beauty. Cumberland island national seashore national park service. One of thorntons proudest accomplishments has been the authoring of the cumberland island national seashore legislation and the shepherding of it through the. Swimming is a very popular activity for day visitors and campers alike. Cumberland island, a natio nal seashore hardcover 1986. We are always glad to hear from old friends of cumberland and those who hope to visit our beautiful island in the future. The main exhibit focuses on the islands history, including displays on the timucua indians.
Environmental protectiongeorgia cumberland island national seashore. The first time i was a casual reader interested in the island in general and the transformation of it into a national seashore in particular. Cumberland island national seashore, georgia legends of. Cumberland island national seashore historical study kindle edition by louis torres, national park service. Carnegie and named after his uncle, scottish industrialist george lauder, it was formally dedicated on october 6, 1898. Cumberland island national seashore a history of conservation conflict. Carol ruckdeschels vivid natural history of cumberland. Cumberland island is home to pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and. Cumberland island has today over three dozen habitable dwellings which are used by owners and guests. It presents the history through the story of two women of the island who played instrumental roles in its conservation. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading cumberland island national seashore. Morris is a resident of cumberland island, georgia. Visit cumberland island national seashore moon travel guides. Located off the coast of georgia, cumberland island was once the retreat of.
Marys and provides roundtrip transportation services to cumberland island. Beach cumberland island is home to 17 miles of uninterrupted beach. Cumberland island information cumberland island is georgias largest and southernmost barrier island, full of pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches, and wide marshes. Other good books on the island, like mary bullard s cumberland island, a history, are good reads, but, only lightly touch on what dilsaver thoroughly develops the seashore transition. Most of great cumberland has become the cumberland island national seashore, administered by the national park service nps. I purchased this book by carol ruckdeschel out of deep curiosity about the natural history and deep respect for the work the author has dedicated herself to studying, compiling and recording for us. Natural history of the seashore for adults 162 books. Marys and cumberland island cumberland island ferry. The largest of the sea islands along the georgia coast, it is a history filled place of astounding natural beauty.
This book does a terrific job of describing the history in an accessible manner. Her books include robert stafford of cumberland island georgia, an abandoned black settlement on cumberland island, and black liberation on cumberland island in 1815. We talk to her about her new book on the islands natural history. Not only one of the richest estuarine and maritime forest environments in the world, cumberland island national seashore 9128824335, reservations 8778606787 is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, as everyone learned when the it couple of their day, john f. The island boasts a healthy expanse of vegetated dunes that make it one of the most important nesting spots for loggerhead sea turtles in all of georgia, and a sanctuary for migrating shore birds. Cumberland island national seashore preserves most of cumberland island in camden county, georgia, the largest of georgias golden isles. Budgetfriendly guide to cumberland island official. Cumberland island, composed of great and little cumberland islands, is the largest and southernmost in a chain of barrier islands extending the length of georgia, known collectively as the sea islands or sometimes as georgias golden isles. I live inland of cumberland island in st marys, ga. With a thoroughness unmatched by any previous account, cumberland island. The turtles, birds and horses on cumberland island now have the place pretty much to themselves. Here, you board the ferry bound for cumberland island national seashore, visit our museum and visitor center and learn about the history and unique nature of the area. Cumberland island national seashore located off the coast of georgia, cumberland island was once the retreat of some of americas wealthiest families, most notably the family of thomas carnegie, brother of steel magnate andrew carnegie, and his wife lucy.
Cumberland island national seashore preserves most of cumberland island in camden. Not a day goes by when the georgia conservancy isnt, in some form or fashion, focused on the stewardship of cumberland islandand our ongoing efforts to realize the island s vision as stated in its purpose statement, that. James oglethorpe first built on cumberland island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named dungeness. The wildest woman in america and the fight for cumberland island. Cumberland island national parks conservation association.
Marys offers lodging, dining, and attractions within our national historic district, and beyond that, offers a treasured visit. Visit our museum and visitor center and enjoy learning about the rich history and nature of the island. He graduated from the university of georgia school of law and serves as the managing member of morris law partners a limited liability company, in atlanta, georgia. While cumberland island national seashore is still officially open, ferry to the barrier island in. History americas enter your mobile number or email address below and well send you a link to download the free kindle app. We know aboriginal people populated the coastal region. Cumberland island national seashore according to an assessment by npcas center for state of the parks, current overall conditions of cumberland island s known cultural resources rated a poor score of 55 out of 100. The national seashore also preserves and interprets many historic sites and structures. Here pristine maritime forests, undeveloped beaches and wide marshes whisper the stories of both man and nature.
The book is long on science, but also written to appeal to the general public with plenty of sly asides such as the observation that the. The island was occupied by the spanish in the 1500s, and then by the english and americans starting in the early 1700s. Cumberland island mainland visitor center is the location to check in for ferry reservations, find information for planning a visit, or to browse the bookstore. Cumberland island, georgia, is the largest of the sea islands of the southeastern united states. Cumberland island national seashore, a manhattansized barrier island brimming with unparalleled natural beauty from top to bottom much like manhattan island itself in the early 1600s, lies off the coast of georgia and managed by the national park service. Historical records indicate that until 1681, there were approximately 300 natives and. The book is ruckdeschels story, so the views of the island s residents basically, the carnegies who advocate for the prioritization of historic building preservation over wilderness preservation is not very well represented.
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