Cumberland Island National Seashore, a monument to America's natural and cultural heritage, is part of the National Park System. For thousands of years, people have inhabited Cumberland Island, but in small numbers reducing the impact to the natural landscape. Georgia's largest and southernmost barrier island, Cumberland invites visitors to experience untouched nature and wildlife, take a glimpse into the lives of American royalty and stroll along miles of white sand beaches.
Today, visitors from all over the world come to St. Marys, Georgia to board the ferry for transportation to and from Cumberland Island. As the ferry approaches the island, the beautiful open marshes come into view, as if the island is extending its welcome. Visitors are encouraged to take great care while enjoying the island to help preserve the natural landscape. The beaches are pure and clean and wild horses run free through the surf. Learning history on the island is fun with names like Carnegie, Lee, Kennedy and Rockefeller filling the annals.
History:
For more information, visit: www.cumberlandisland.org
In the early 18th century, General James Oglethorpe was tasked with the British colonization of Georgia. General Oglethorpe began by establishing a good relationship with Creek Indian Chief Tomochichi (the Creek were native to the area). Chief Tomochichi convinced the Creek to peacefully turn the chartered lands over to the British in 1734. Later, Chief Tomochichi visited England with his nephew, Toonahowie. While in England, Toonahowie became friends with William Augustus, 13 year old son of the Duke of Cumberland. Toonahowie suggested that the island known as San Pedro, be renamed as Cumberland Island. General Oglethorpe established two forts on Cumberland Island, Fort Saint Andrews and Fort William to help establish British power in the region. In the 1730's, a hunting lodge named Dungeness was built in the Berrimacke settlement on Cumberland.

By 1775, most of the island was uninhabited. But with the onset of the American Revolution, timber and food crops were harvested on Cumberland. It was at this time that free roaming cattle, pigs and horses were introduced to the island. In 1796, Phineas Miller built the Dungeness Mansion near the site of the abandoned hunting lodge. The four story mansion, was built on an Indian shell mound, was the center of Southern high society. Finished in 1803, the mansion was willed to Louisa Shaw. Ms. Shaw cared for the ailing Revolutionary war hero General "Light Horse" Harry Lee (father of Robert E. Lee) at Dungeness until his death in 1818. He was buried on Cumberland Island, but his body was moved to Virginia in 1913 (his tombstone remains on the island). In 1862, Cumberland fell to Union forces and Dungeness was burned. After the Civil War, the island was once again virtually abandoned. A few emancipated slaves decided to remain on the island and form their own settlement on the north side of the island near Burbank Point. The First African Baptist Church was established near their settlement.

In 1882, Thomas Carnegie, brother and silent partner of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, purchased the Dungeness land from General William Davis (former Confederate solider) for his wife Lucy. One of the richest men of the late 19th century, Thomas Carnegie built his winter home on the Dungeness foundation. Lucy Carnegie built homes on the island for her children: Plum Orchard mansion for her son George Lauder Carnegie and Greyfield House for her daughter Margaret "Retta" Carengie. In 1925, the Carnegies moved out of Dungeness because of its costliness but the estate was maintained through Lucy Carnegie's estate. In 1959, Dungeness, was the victim of arson and was burned to the ground. After the last of Lucy Carnegie's children died in 1962, the estate was divided among heirs, many of whom decided to sell to investors. In 1972, Cumberland Island National Seashore was established and the main land holder and investor, Charles Fraser, transferred his land to the National Parks Service.

Today, visitors to the island can relive the legacy of the islands rich history: the Dungeness Ruins, the island cemetery, abandoned luxury cars, First African Baptist Church (1996 wedding site of JFK, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette) and guided tours of Plum Orchard.

To really relive the history, visitors may stay at Greyfield Inn. In 1962, the Greyfield House was converted to an inn. Greyfield Inn has turn of the century furnishings with all the modern comforts. With full service kitchen, guests can have picnics under the oaks and an elegant dinner in the formal dining room. For more information visit: www.greyfieldinn.com
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