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to St. Marys and Cumberland Island, Georgia! |
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St.
Marys, Georgia, the gateway to Cumberland Island
National Seashore, a small coastal village located in southeast Georgia remains one of Georgia's best kept secrets, a place rich in history, natural beauty and
Southern hospitality. St. Marys and Cumberland Island National Seashore are the
perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. |
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Cumberland Island
is the largest and southernmost barrier
island in Georgia, offering guests over 17 miles of secluded white, sandy
beaches. Wild horses and other island wildlife roam freely throughout the ruins
and along the beach.
The island is a complex ecological system of interdependent animal and plant
communities. A system of foredunes protects the interdune meadow and shrub
thickets. A canopy of live oak trees stretches out beyond the back dunes that
provide protection from the salt spray.
In the central and northern sections of the island, pine trees tower over mixed
hardwood forests. On the western side of the island, saltwater marshes pulse
with the tidal flow. The saltwater marshes support large populations of fish,
shellfish, plants, and bird life. They also act as nurseries for the variety of
vegetation found on the island. Cradled in the branches of the maritime forest,
resurrection ferns spring up above the draped Spanish moss to comfort the lives
of such birds as painted buntings, summer tanagers, cardinals, woodpeckers,
yellow-throated warblers, and Carolina wrens. Deeper in the forests you may
catch a glimpse of the island's numerous whitetail deer, raccoons, bull
alligators, and armadillos. |
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Historic
Sites & Museums |
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St.
Marys Submarine Museum surfacing
in a converted historic movie theater on the St. Marys waterfront, the Museum is
one attraction not to be missed! Get ready to see firsthand a working periscope,
models of torpedoes, and many displays made from actual submarines. See a
deep-sea diving suit and submarine uniforms, command plaques, photographs and
models of submarines, an area for watching movies on submarines, working sonar
panels, a history of submarines, a reading area, a reference area, gift shop and
a display dedicated to the eight submariners who received the Medals of Honor.
Walls and walls of memorabilia track the history of the submarine. |
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Howard
Gilman Memorial Park - The
newest addition in St. Marys, the park officially opened on June 30, 2001 but it
wasn't until 4 days later the park would see its first real guests. On July 4th
it was standing room only as thousands of area residents packed the newly opened
waterfront park to catch a glimpse at the 33rd annual fireworks display. What
better way to celebrate the Nations Birth and the opening of a waterfront park
than a spectacular display of color and beauty. |
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Orange
Hall Welcome Center and House Museum -
With
its Doric columns on the front veranda and the wide steps leading from the
ground up to the second floor main entrance, it is a wonderful example of Greek
revival architecture. In 1973, Orange Hall was placed on the National Register
of Historic Places. It was refurbished to its original grandeur by caring
citizens of St. Marys. It is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. and
Sunday, 1pm - 5pm. |
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First
Presbyterian Church was built in
1808 and is the second oldest church in Georgia. Other 19th century churches in
historic St. Marys include Our Lady Star of the Sea Chapel (1847), Christ
Episcopal (1880), and St. Marys Methodist Chapel (1858). Oak Grove Cemetery,
here you will find much of the history of Camden County recorded under the huge
oak trees sheltering this historic cemetery. The earliest marked grave is from
1801. Graves of veterans representing every war, except the Persian Gulf, are
found in Oak Grove Cemetery. |
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Toonerville
Trolley - "See You In The
Funny Papers!" This saying originated by Roy Crane in his 1935 "Wash
Tubbs & Easy" comic strip. The strip featured the many local
personalities who used this railcar to commute from St. Marys to Kingsland in
the late 1920s. |
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Cumberland
Island National Seashore Museum
- The new facility is located on Osborne Street, two blocks from the
waterfront. The museum houses a collection of artifacts from Cumberland Island
and includes an exhibit area open to the public. The exhibition uses pieces from
the collection to highlight the people of the island. The lives of Native
Americans, African Americans, the Carnegie family as well as others who lived on
the island in the 19th and 20th centuries are seen in the island environment.
This is the first major effort to bring the island story to mainland facilities.
A small portion of the total collection will be on display, primarily pieces
that illustrate life on the barrier island. "These are objects that have
never before been on public display," said curator John Mitchell. "We
can learn from these items about how people lived in the past."
Operation Hours - 1:00 pm till 4:00 pm |
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More Fun Places to Visit in St.
Marys and Cumberland Island |
| Crooked
River State Park - St. Marys - 912-882-5256 or 800-864-7275 |
| Cumberland
Island Ferry - St. Marys - 912-882-4335 or 888-817-3421 |
| Dungeness
Ruins - Cumberland Island - 912-882-4335 or 888-817-3421 |
| First
African Baptist Church - Cumberland Island - 912-882-4335 or 888-817-3421 |
| Historic
District Braille Trail - St. Marys - 912-882-4000 or 800-868-8687 |
| McIntosh
Sugar Mill Ruins - St. Marys - 912-882-4000 or 800-868-8687 |
| Oak
Grove Cemetery - St. Marys - 912-882-4000 or 800-868-8687 |
| Orange
Hall House Museum - St. Marys - 912-882-4000 or 800-868-8687 |
| George
Bancroft SSBN-643 Sail Exhibit - St. Marys - 912-882-2782 |
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2008 Festivals & Events |
Mardi Gras Celebration
- 2/1/2008 at 6 pm - 10 pm
A family-oriented festival featuring a bicycle tour, 5k run, street dance,
parade, and arts & crafts. On stage music, entertainment and karoke contest. Fun
for all ages. Free admission and parking.
Phone: 800-868-8687
Location: St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau, 406 Osborne Street,
St. Marys, GA |
Mardi Gras Celebration
- 2/1/2008 at 6 pm - 10 pm
A family-oriented festival featuring a bicycle tour, 5k run, street dance,
parade, and arts & crafts. On stage music, entertainment and karoke contest. Fun
for all ages. Free admission and parking.
Phone: 800-868-8687
Location: St. Marys Convention & Visitors Bureau, 406 Osborne Street,
St. Marys, GA |
Mardi Gras Ball 2008
- 2/2/2008 at 7 pm
Come on down for this annual formal costume ball & dinner held in St. Marys. A
little bit of New Orleans in Georgia. Call for ticket information.
Phone:
800-868-8687 -
Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions:
I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
2008 Kayak Bird Count
- 2/16/2008 at 9 am - 12 pm
Participate with a guided kayak trip through marshes to count bird species. No
birding experience is necessary; beginners welcome. Reservations required. Fee
plus $3 parking.
Phone: 912-882-5256 -
Location: Crooked River State Park, 6222 Charlie Smith Sr.
Hwy.,
St. Marys, GA
Directions:
Located 7 miles north of St. Marys on Ga. Spur 40 or 8 miles east of
I-95 exit 3. |
Creative Palette Convention 2008
- 2/21- 2/24/2008 at 9 am - 5 pm
Classes & vendors will be in the unique shops of our Historic District. Everyone
is invited to experience the true feeling of Southern Hospitality as you meander
through the various historic buildings, boutiques, B&B's, and the Orange Hall
House Museum. Free admission and parking
Phone:
800-868-8687 -
Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions:
I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
4th of July Celebration 2008
- 7/4/2008 at 9 am - 10 pm
A day of family fun! 5k & 10k run, dog show, arts & crafts vendors, parade,
kiddy rides, entertainment throughout the day, street dance and one of the
largest fireworks displays in Southeast Georgia. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club.
Free admission and parking
Phone: 800-868-8687 -
Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions:
I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
Rock Shrimp Festival 2008
- 10/4/2008 at 9 am - 5 pm
Enjoy a day of food and family fun at this annual festival. A day full of events
including 5k & 10k run, arts, crafts & food vendors, parade, Rock Shrimp
Dinners, and entertainment. Sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. Free admission and
parking
Phone:
800-868-8687 - Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions: I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
Hay Days 2008 - 10/11 - 11/1/2008 - Call for times
Family Fun! Osborne Street and businesses in the Historic District are decorated
with Scarecrows. Stroll thru the Historic District and view the Scarecrows who
are all dressed up to celebrate the Fall Season. Free admission and parking
Phone: 800-868-8687 -
Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions: I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
National Memorial Service, WWII
Submarine Vets - 11/6 - 11/9/2008 at 10 am - 5 pm
Annual memorial service for the subvets who are on eternal patrol. Held on the
Sub Base. Special pass or military ID required to enter the Kings Bay Sub Base.
Free admission and parking
Phone:
800-868-8687 -
Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions:
I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
White Lighting Ceremony 2008
- 12/2/2008 at 6-9 pm
Starting at Dusk at the old paper mill site, the walking parade proceeds down
Osborne Street with Santa & Mrs. Santa leading the way. Picture it all: Dance
performances are a part of the parade. Christmas music is sung. The parade ends
at the Waterfront and the City Christmas Tree is lit. Children line up to give
their Wish List to Santa. Free admission and parking
Phone: 800-868-8687 -
Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions: I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
Historic Candlelight Tour of Homes
2008 - 12/13/2008 at 6-9 pm
All decorated in Christmas Splendor, many Historic Homes are put of tour for all
to come and enjoy. A great way to share the beauty of the Christmas Holiday
Season. Admission: $12
Phone: 800-868-8687 -
Location:
Historic District of St. Marys, 406 Osborne St., St. Marys, GA
Directions: I95 to exit 3, east 8 miles to downtown historic district |
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Return to the Coast and Islands
Page.
Festivals, fairs and events in the Georgia coastal region
Georgia Lakes and Rivers Map, and Georgia Lakes Page. |
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