Cumberland Island National Seashore
Encyclopedia
Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island is one of the Sea Islands. Cumberland is the largest in terms of continuously exposed land area of Georgia's barrier islands. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia and is part of Camden County...
in Camden County, Georgia
Camden County, Georgia
Camden County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It is one of the original counties of Georgia, created February 5, 1777. As of 2000, the population was 43,664. The 2007 Census Estimate shows a population of 48,689. The county seat is Woodbine.-History:The first European to land...
, the largest of Georgia's Golden Isles. The seashore features beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes. In addition to the natural features, the seashore includes some historic properties, such as the ruins of Dungeness
Dungeness (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. James Oglethorpe first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness...
and the Plum Orchard
Plum Orchard
Plum Orchard is an estate located in the middle of the western shore of Cumberland Island, Georgia. The estate and surrounding area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
estate.
Visitor center
A visitor center or centre , visitor information center, tourist information center, is a physical location that provides tourist information to the visitors who tour the place or area locally...
and boat access to the island are located in the town of St. Marys, Georgia
St. Marys, Georgia
-See also:*Cumberland Island*St. Marys Historic District*St. Marys Railroad-External links:***...
. Public access via the ferry is limited, reservations are recommended. Camping is allowed in the seashore. The 9886 acres (40 km²) Cumberland Island Wilderness is part of the seashore.
Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum
The Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum is located in St. Marys, GeorgiaSt. Marys, Georgia
-See also:*Cumberland Island*St. Marys Historic District*St. Marys Railroad-External links:***...
on the mainland entrance to the seashore, across from the park's visitor center. Exhibits focus on the island's natural and cultural history, including the Timucua Indians
Timucua
The Timucua were a Native American people who lived in Northeast and North Central Florida and southeast Georgia. They were the largest indigenous group in that area and consisted of about 35 chiefdoms, many leading thousands of people. The various groups of Timucua spoke several dialects of the...
, cotton plantations that were established by American Revolutionary hero General Nathaniel Greene
Nathaniel Greene
Nathaniel Greene may refer to:*Nathanael Greene , American Revolutionary War general*Nathaniel Greene , American journalist...
and cotton-gin inventor Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney
Eli Whitney was an American inventor best known for inventing the cotton gin. This was one of the key inventions of the Industrial Revolution and shaped the economy of the Antebellum South...
, the history of the ruined mansion Dungeness
Dungeness (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. James Oglethorpe first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness...
and the Plum Orchard
Plum Orchard
Plum Orchard is an estate located in the middle of the western shore of Cumberland Island, Georgia. The estate and surrounding area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
estate, and area activities during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The museum is staffed by volunteers and is open on weekday afternoons.
Administrative history
The national seashore was authorized by Congress on October 23, 1972, and is administered by the National Park ServiceNational Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
. The wilderness area was designated on September 8, 1982.