Jekyll Island Then and Now
Wednesday, August 20th, 2008Read the August 2008 Coastal Illustrated article on Jekyll Island, “Jekyll Island: From playground of the rich, to park of the people.“
Archive for the ‘ History comes Alive ’ Category
Jekyll Island is One of the Top 9 Destinations for Wall Street Geeks!
Saturday, July 19th, 2008
Investopedia
Top 9 Vacation Destinations For Wall Street Geeks
Friday July 18, 12:22 pm ET
Tara Struyk
Renowned investor Peter Lynch came up with this his best investment ideas not by studying in his office, but out on the street, where he could see the value of companies/products in action. No matter where he was or what he was doing, the wheels of investment analysis were always whirring quietly in his head.If you’re geeky about Wall Street and investing, it may not matter whether you’re placing trades with your broker or standing in line at the grocery store - the world of finance is never far from your thoughts. So, rather than try to leave your investor- think behind when you go on vacation, why not embrace your obsession by taking a trip that will please you and your family - and appeal to your inner geek. Here are our top picks.
Assuming you don’t work here already, you’ll want to visit Wall Street, the heart of the- U.S. Bullion Depository (
According to the U.S. Treasury, the “Gold Vault”, located at Bullion Boulevard at the intersection of - Home of Warren Buffett - Omaha, Nebraska
If you’re obsessed with investing, you might want to check out the birth place and hometown of the richest man in the world in 2008. - Mount Washington Hotel -
This regal historic building, open since 1902, is where the Bretton Woods monetary conference took place in 1944, leading to the creation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Stories about the hotel’s ghosts also abound, so although the Bretton Woods agreement was signed more than 100 years ago, you could bump into one of its signatories along one of the hotel’s passageways.While You’re There: The hotel is open for business year-round and attracts visitors for its championship golf courses. The Mount Washing Resort is also - Caymen Islands
Located 480 miles south of Miami, this island country is one of the world’s largest offshore banking centers, according to a 2006 report by the Bank for International Settlements. The - Bre-X Minerals Mining Area - Busang, Indonesia
If you’re looking for some adventure, head to the dense and humid jungles of the - Jekyll Island, Georgia
This 12-mile-long island along Georgia’s Atlantic Coast became a part of U.S. financial history when, in 1886, it became a private club for some of the country’s richest capitalists, including J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller and William Vanderbilt. As such, it was on this island that a secret group of the country’s financiers met in 1910 to discuss the establishment of what would become the Federal Reserve banking system.While You’re There: Check out Jekyll’s National Historic Landmark District and get a sense of how those 20th century “robber barons” lived. - The Louvre -
This Museum in
This group of Pacific Ocean islands make up the least Westernized state of the Federate States of
Celebrate your inner financial geek by unwinding at one of these destinations. If you’re inspired along the way, it could mean many happy returns.
Jekyll Island Made the Top 20 Island Getaways for Summertime on MSN.com
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
Jekyll Island Club — Jekyll Island, Georgia
It may be the smallest of Georgia’s barrier islands, but what Jekyll Island lacks in size it more than makes up for in grandeur. Pulitzers, Astors, and Rockefellers docked their yachts here throughout the early 1900s, and while the Club’s guest roster today is decidedly more inclusive, a game of croquet and high tea on the 240-acre estate is still on the agenda. A comprehensive renovation of this National Historic Landmark’s 157 rooms in the 1980s preserved the signature turret while returning robber-baron elegance to the dining room’s impressive marble fireplaces (from $189/night; jekyllclub.com). Getting There: From Brunswick, Ga., cross a causeway to Jekyll Island.
Georgia On My Mind: And What to Do About It
Sunday, June 22nd, 2008by Robert Painter
Reprinted from TravelLady Magazine
You won’t run into Ray Charles, but if you head on down to Woodbine, Georgia, you can take in some great country and bluegrass music on the weekend. Friday night at the Woodbine Opry a lot of the local folks will be gathered around to listen to some pretty good acoustic Bluegrass and Gospel and when they come back on Saturday they might just pull the old guitar out of the closet to join in on some of their favorite country
It’s not the Ryman Auditorium, but neither does it cost $50 for a front row seat. For about eight dollars you have a fine country dinner before the music starts. The music is free but you can buy a ticket for the homemade cake raffle or make a donation if you’re so inclined. All in all it’s a terrific evening of good clean family fun. And dinner for the kids is only four dollars so bring everyone.
From Woodbine you can take a short drive down to Kingsland which is a good starting point for those wishing to venture a bit west into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuse and Wilderness Area. Or go a few miles east to the delightful little town of St. Marys. Be sure to visit the Oak Grove Cemetery. Remember to ask someone about the resident ghosts.
If you’re ready for a bit of exercise and looking to find a few dolphins you probably ought to hook up with Up the Creek Xpeditions for a half day kayaking trip on the St. Marys River. And, if you’re really adventurous they can even arrange a night trip into the Okefenokee to spot alligators with your headlamp. If you haven’t kayaked before don’t let that stop you. They’ll give you excellent instruction and the equipment is first rate.
It’s time to turn a bit north and travel up the coast to Brunswick and the Golden Isles of Georgia. If you’re getting hungry for some fresh shrimp your next stop should be the Lady Jane Shrimp Boat. This is a real shrimp boat that has been refurbished and Coast Guard certified for passengers. The good news is that it is still a shrimper. It’s rigged to troll the waters in a nice, calm protected area (don’t even think about getting seasick) and you’ll have the opportunity to watch the authentic operation. The net pulls up a lot of creatures. Different kinds of fish, crabs shrimp and even the amazing horseshoe crab. You can even help sort the shrimp and toss the horseshoe crabs back into the water.
The real treat comes when the fresh shrimp are cooked and served right on the back of the boat. All you can eat, fresh and delicious!
As long as you’re in the neighborhood you wouldn’t want to miss the famous and historic Jekyll Island Club. It’s a wonderful place to overnight and walk around the grounds to view the historic district. You’ll recognize some of the names of the early club members. Marshall Field, Joseph Pulitzer, William Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, Frank Goodyear, William Rockefeller are but a few on the list. The grounds are meticulously cared for.
A visit to the Georgia Sea Turtle Center found here will both entertain and educate you. Injured and ill turtles are cared for in a state-of-the-art facility and you can actually watch the staff in action. The staff will introduce you to some of the patients and you can learn much about the several varieties of turtles in the facility.
A short walk from the Center you will discover the unusual and scenic Driftwood Beach. It’s not really “driftwood” but rather trees that have been uprooted by the changing tides and left in place to be polished by the water. The shapes are beautiful and if you forget to bring your camera you’ll regret it later.
One of the biggest surprises on the island is an enormous colony of wood storks. Don’t miss them. I doubt if you’ll ever find a group like this again.
From Jekyll Island and Brunswick it’s an easy two hour drive on up to Savannah, unless you make a few stops along the way. Wolf Island, Blackbeard Island and Harris Neck and Sapelo are just a few of the National Wildlife Refuges and Sanctuaries you might want to visit.
Savannah is a perfect city for walking. There are scooters, segways, trolleys and even a GPS tour for the trendy techies. I like to walk and you can pick up a good map for your tour around the city. The trolley is an on and off vehicle so you can stop wherever you want and catch the next one when you’re ready.
You may know that Savannah was Georgia’s first city. You may not know that people were free to worship as they pleased. Excluding Catholics, however. At first, rum, lawyers and slavery were forbidden. I wonder what they had against rum.
It could be that the first Sunday School started here. A fellow named Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin at a nearby plantation in 1793 and in 1912 Juliette Gordon Low formed a little organization called the Girl Scouts.
Savannah has many faces. America’s Most Haunted City has a wonderful river walk with plenty of restaurants in which to sample the local southern cuisine and enough bars to keep you from getting too thirsty. There are lots of interesting shops including the typical tourist places on River Street. And, if you don’t like “tourist shops” stop in a couple of them anyway. You might stumble upon one pulling taffy or making that delightful southern treat, pralines. And, don’t miss the City Market in the heart of the Historic District.
If you’re a shopper you’ll discover the many antique shops, galleries and gift shops with lots of local hand-crafted items and folk art that you will find nowhere else.
Savannah is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the country. There are 22 squares that are experienced by millions every year. The beautiful sprawling oaks trees decorated by nature with the lacey Spanish moss contribute to the antebellum look of the city along with the restoration of many Colonial, Victorian, Georgian and other architectural gems.
An important part of the history of Savannah is its Black heritage. There are numerous monuments, homes, parks, churches and institutions marking this cultural aspect. I remember walking past a monument and stopping to read the inscription. I was surprised to read that the young drummer boy grew up to eventually become the King of Haiti. The oldest standing brick building in Georgia is the First African Baptist Church, built by slaves, for slaves, in the evenings following a full day of work in the fields. I’ll leave it to you to discover more about the Gullah culture when you visit.
If you haven’t read Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil I would recommend you give it a look before your trip to Savannah. It might just make you curious about some of the people in this enchanting city. There is probably a festival of some sort every month so show up and join in the fun.
A couple more hours up the road and you’ll discover Augusta, another Georgia treasure. You’ve probably heard of Augusta National Golf Club, official site of the Masters Tournament, but you may not know about the National Science Center, also in Augusta. It was created by law to promote science and math education for all ages nationwide. It is a fascinating place. Take your kids or go without them, but whatever time you allot for the visit plan to tack on another hour or two. The interactive displays and hands-on exhibits may just make you forget about looking at your watch.
Augusta is filled with beautiful homes, parks, gardens and monuments. Spreading oaks covered with Spanish moss and antebellum homes. A delightful Riverwalk and a great canal that used to be used to haul cotton and other goods. Some of the old mills have been restored and converted into businesses and residences. You’ll want to visit the childhood home of Woodrow Wilson and learn a bit more about life during the Civil War and Reconstruction. 
I hope you manage to visit the Augusta Museum of History and see The Godfather of Soul, Mr. James Brown exhibit. It is the first major exhibit dedicated to James Brown and will be at the 
museum through May 2011. James Brown was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986. He grew up in Augusta and used his fame to be a positive advocate of peaceful race relations in the south.
The Southeastern Natural Sciences Academy located in the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park is a great way to spend part of your day in Augusta. The mission of the Academy is to promote environmental stewardship through education, research and public outreach with a goal of seeking solutions to healthy and sustainable natural resources. You’ll love the boardwalk and you’ll see waterfowl and maybe even an alligator or two.
I had a great time visiting this time and yes, Georgia is still on my mind! Now, I want to see the rest of the state. I’m planning to return, but just don’t know when – maybe I’ll see you there.
Keep on traveling!
Story and Photos by Robert Painter: rpainter2006@comcast.net
Photo of James Brown courtesy of Frank Christian
When You Go:
Woodbine Opry: www.woodbineopry.com
Kayaking & Canoeing info: www.upthecreektrips.com
Lady Jane Shrimp Boat: www.credlesadventures.com
Jekyll Island: www.jekyllisland.com
Savannah. There’s a lot more to this story: www.jekyllisland.com
Augusta. And, there’s more here than golf: http://www.augustaga.org
Horton House Living History Event
Friday, June 20th, 2008
For a fun family event, raise a jovial mug of (ginger) ale or (root) beer near the site of Georgia’s first brewery, and watch 18th-century British military re-enactors perform musket drills. The soldiers are rallying their defenses against further attacks on Jekyll Island’s strategic shores.
This Saturday, July 12, 2008 at 2:00 pm, visit Horton House, one of the oldest standing tabby structures in Georgia, where colonial re-enactors will demonstrate 18th-century activities and present the story of the 1742 Spanish raid on Jekyll Island following the Battle of Bloody Marsh.
Fort Frederica National Monument and the Jekyll Island Museum will team up to present this joint program on Georgia’s early colonial history.
Learn about Major William Horton, his family, his servants, and his property on Jekyll Island, as well as their significant role in producing goods to supply the needs of the fledgling British colony. Investigate early British military life, the events of the Battle of Bloody Marsh and the raid on Jekyll Island, and why Horton was a target for the Spanish.
Musket demonstrations, children’s activities, food and drink, and interactions with the interpreters provide a fun and memorable way to learn about the early colonial life of the island, said John Hunter, the director of the Jekyll Island Museum.
“Children will have a chance to make a colonial toy, play some games, and talk to costumed interpreters,” Hunter said. “Participating in activities and visiting with people who seem to step out of the past really brings history alive for them.”
“With Fort Frederica’s help, the Jekyll Island Museum is proud to offer this outstanding living history opportunity,” Hunter said.
During the living history event, general parking will be available both before and after the split-rail fencing that lines Riverview Drive leading up to Horton House. The site is also a pleasant bike ride away from both the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District and the Clam Creek Picnic Area.
Co-sponsored by Fort Frederica National Monument and the Jekyll Island Museum. For more information, call 912-635-4036.
Hands on History with the Jekyll Island Museum
Thursday, June 12th, 2008
Chortles and shouts. Racing feet. Sticky fingers. These sights and sounds might seem unexpected in standard house museum environments. But this summer the Jekyll Island Museum aims to engage the youngest members of the community in the wonders of the past. So this July kids on Jekyll Island are having a hoot. Whether throwing atlatls, making butter, racing with barrel hoops, becoming stained glass artists, manning windmills, building bridges, searching for architectural wonders, or jumping on pony hops, they are discovering Jekyll Island’s historic district as an active learning environment.
This July, the Jekyll Island Museum offers children’s programs every Wednesday morning at 9:30 and 11:00 am. Designed for children 6-12, the 60-minute programs each shed light on the history of Jekyll Island.
Museum interpreters lead children and their adult companions on a guided learning adventure through segments on Jekyll Island’s past. Individual programs touch on a variety of topics including art, science, architecture, food, and games.
“The programs are a fun way to excite children at a young age about history,” says Phyllis Gaska, a former elementary school teacher on the Jekyll Island Museum tour staff. “They are very concrete, and hands on, and active.”
“Our children’s programs are designed to let kids ask questions, and touch things, and make things, and run around,” agreed Gretchen Greminger, the museum’s curator. “We want to give our younger visitors a chance to exercise their sense of curiosity and just have a great time.”
The Hands on History segments include the following:
Old-Fashioned Butter-Making Take a whirlwind tour of a late 1800s southern kitchen at Club Cottage. Inspect and handle original kitchen items from the museum’s educational collection for an object-based learning experience, before heading outdoors for a lesson in old-fashioned butter-making. July 2, 2008, 9:30 am.
Colonial Games Have fun learning the games the English, French, and African-American children of Jekyll Island might have played during the Colonial Period. July 2 & 30, 2008, 11:00 am.
Young Inventors’ Workshop Discover a few of the famous inventors who vacationed on Jekyll Island in the Club Era, then replicate the island’s experiment in “green energy.” Help your guide capture the wind, as you explore the story of Jekyll Island’s windmill. July 9, 2008, 9:30 am.
Club Era Games View rare archival images of Jekyll Island Club Members at play, then try the sports that were popular in their day. Explore the games and activities that both grown-ups and children a century ago liked to do for fun. July 9 and 23, 2008 at 11:00 am.
Architectural Scavenger Hunt Follow a series of clues, searching the historic district for notable architectural details, on this guided learning adventure with rewards for all. July 16, 2008, 9:30 am
Stained Glass Studio View two important works of American stained glass by Louis Comfort Tiffany, David Maitland Armstrong and Helen Armstrong inside of historic Faith Chapel. Be inspired to make your own masterpiece! July 16, 2008, 11:00 am.
Bridge Building Visit Hollybourne Cottage, a mansion built for Charles Stewart Maurice, a partner in a bridge building company. Discover how houses can be like bridges, learn about different kinds of bridges, and create your own bridge. July 23, 2008, 9:30 am.
Native American Life Jekyll Island has been a seasonal retreat for over 4,500 years. Learn about Native American culture on Jekyll Island, through such engaging supervised activities as atlatl target practice, pottery stamping, and bow drill fire-making. July 30, 2008, 9:30 am.
Program offerings are subject to change. Reservations are required. Admission for participants is $5 per person. Young children should be accompanied by an adult. Please call or visit the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road for details or for information about its other tour offerings, 912-635-4036.
The Jekyll Island Museum’s Hands on History programs provide children with the chance to engage in butter making and other lively activities in Jekyll Island’s historic district on Wednesday mornings in July.
A Jewel of Isles, a poem by Licia Chenoweth
Wednesday, June 11th, 2008Along the golden isles of Georgia where marsh and ocean meet,
Lies a jewel of an island, for those who come and greet.
Her beauty unsurpassed, with sheltering oaks and pines
Where Spanish moss is draped around branches shaped by time.
A canopy of trees surround, bringing life within its midst.
Providing natures wildlife with a haven to exist
Its golden sand and rising seas peacefully come and go,
And natural dunes and driftwood form along the beaches row.
Its from this unspoiled beauty many have graced her shores
The Timucuan Indians, Horton’s, DuBignon’s and much more
From Rockefeller, Morgan, Pulitzer, Gould and Macy
Whose cottages remain today to keep alive their legacy.
And the richness of her history still captures us today.
The aura of an era gone by; when the rich would come to play.
But from this golden age in time, we know and understand
That Jekyll is ‘a jewel of isles’ where all would wish to land.
Life in the slow lane
Wednesday, June 4th, 2008Looking for a bit of excitement, a taste of glitzy nightlife?
Jekyll Island isn’t for you.
If you’re interested in lowering your blood pressure, though, Jekyll- about an hour and a half south of Savannah- might be just the balm you need, a splendid destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
On Jekyll, the smallest of Georgia’s barrier islands, you can chase a little white ball through sand traps, play tennis, or glide along 20 miles of bike paths. If all that sounds too arduous, there are miles of beach where you can simply veg out, soothed by sea breezes.
Brunswick’s Ernie Williams was enjoying his own favorite low-key pastime Saturday, idly hanging a pole from the fishing pier at the island’s Clam Creek Picnic Area. His son, Trey, sat next to him.
“My daddy taught me to fish on Jekyll,” Ernie said. “Like his daddy taught him. Now I bring my boy out here.”
“Caught anything?”
“Not a (colorful adjective) thing,” he said, laughing. “Sure glad we don’t have to depend on this for supper.”
Folks have been fishing around Jekyll since roughly 2500 B.C., when small groups of hunter-gatherers started visiting the island. In the late 16th century A.D., the Spanish were impressed by the numerous right whales in the area and called the island Isla de Ballenas (”Island of Whales.”)
In the 1730s, General James Oglethorpe, interested in protecting Savannah against the Spanish in Florida, dispatched troops to build fortifications on St. Simons Island. After one of the soldiers, William Horton, was granted 500 acres of land by the colony’s trustees, he established residency on nearby Jekyll Island Sir Joseph Jekyll, a prominent Oglethorpe supporter in England). You can still see the ruins of Horton’s house, one of Georgia’s oldest structures, on the island’s north end.
Jekyll’s most prominent historical structure, however, is the Jekyll Island Club, founded in 1886 as a winter retreat for such mega-rich Northern industrialists as Marshall Field, J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer and William Vanderbilt. Surrounding the Queen Anne-style clubhouse, several of the club members built grand winter homes - their so-called “cottages” - now restored and open to the public. The clubhouse is now an upscale hotel.
In 1972, the Jekyll Island Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places; in 1978, the 240-acre district was elevated to National Historic Landmark status. Guided tours of the area are available at the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road.
Golfers will find three 18-hole courses on Jekyll (Pine Lakes, Oleander, and Indian Mound) and a nine-hole course (Great Dunes). Tee times can be made up to six months in advance. The Jekyll Island Tennis Center features 13 clay courts. Other activities include horseback riding through Jekyll’s maritime forests, kayaking, miniature golf, and the Summer Waves water park, where children can splash through 11 acres of refreshing rides.
For many folks, though, Jekyllis best absorbed in slow motion. Birdwatching is a popular pastime; the island has a sizeable yearlong population and serves as a resting place in the spring and fall for migrating species. Other visitors love to simply amble along the beach, collecting shells.
Some don’t even move that much.
Atlanta’s Kathy Williams and Bonnie Bell, for instance, spent most of last weekend nestled in their cozy beach chairs, gazing out at the Atlantic.
“Just the two of us and a little liquid refreshment,” Williams said.
“Sometimes that’s all a couple of girls need.”
Reprinted from Savannahnow.com
Get Away Without Driving Far Being a Hometown Tourist is More Attractive As Gas Prices Rise
Friday, May 30th, 2008Posted on RedOrbit.com: Wednesday, 28 May 2008, 18:00 CDT
By DAVID BAUERLEIN
Coping with higher gas prices used to mean finding other places to shave expenses on vacations — preparing some meals in a hotel kitchenette, for instance, instead of eating out.
But with gas fast approaching $4 a gallon nationwide, tourism officials increasingly see travelers adjust by choosing destinations closer to home.
“We understand that people may be cutting back on their vacations because of gas prices, so we’re really going to be focusing on local residents,” said Visit Jacksonville spokeswoman Lyndsay Rossman.
Visit Jacksonville has been running a “Residents Can be a Tourist in Their Own Backyards” publicity campaign that features discounts from local businesses through June 10.
Flamingo Lake RV Resort on the Northside has been using the same backyard catchphrase in its local advertising. High fuel prices “have really put a strain on our industry,” said Michael Fisher, marketing director for the resort. Still, he said people aren’t going to give up on their vacations.
“They’re still going to use their RVs but they’re not going to go as far,” he said.
Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village in St. Johns County will give gas cards to Florida and Georgia residents who visit at least two nights in July.
The Amelia Island Tourist Development Council decided to tap its reserves to spend an additional $100,000 on marketing in the Jacksonville area. Gil Langley, managing director for the council, said Jacksonville, Atlanta and Orlando have always been the biggest markets for visits to Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach.
Even with high gas prices, he said he’s optimistic people are going to take their family vacations, he said.
“There are certain things in life that you hang onto no matter what, and I think people will always hang onto that,” he said.david.bauerlein@jacksonville.com (904) 359-4581TIPS FOR A GREAT LOCAL GETAWAYVacationing close to home might not seem like a break from everyday life. Here are some ways to boost the vacation experience:DON’T LET FAMILIARITY BREED CONTEMPT. “We have people from all over the world come to the First Coast for vacations,” said Gil Langley of the Amelia Island Tourist Development Council. For instance, AAA gives its highest five-diamond rating for lodging to nine properties in Florida. Two are in Northeast Florida — The Ritz- Carlton, Amelia Island and the Ponte Vedra Inn and Club.PLAN YOUR TRIP THE WAY AN OUTSIDER WOULD. Part of a vacation is the anticipation that comes from scouring guidebooks and putting together a daily itinerary. One advantage of vacationing close to home is you can do some advance scouting. For instance, you can see whether the bed-and-breakfast or beachfront rental home is really as nice as it sounds in the promotional material.REWARD YOURSELF FOR SAVING TRANSPORTATION MONEY. Eliminating tanks of gas and plane tickets will help your everyday household budget. But take at least some of the savings and upgrade your vacation memories by treating yourself to accommodations, meals, or vacation activities whose cost would usually make you think twice.UNPLUG YOURSELF FROM WORK. A recent survey by careerbuilder.com found 25 percent of workers expected to stay in contact with the office even while on vacation. Breaking fee of the e-leash is a good goal no matter where you’re going. But if you’re close to home, those workplace obligations will make it harder to feel like you’ve gotten a clean break from the usual routine.STAYING NEARBY10.5%The increase in the percentage of Floridians who vacationed in-state during the first three months of 2008 as compared to the same period last year, according to Visit Florida. That increase represented 1.2 million in-state trips.FOUR GREAT BACKYARD VACATIONSTo explore these tourist destinations along the ocean coast from Jekyll Island, Ga. to St. Augustine, you won’t need a full tank of gas.
JEKYLL ISLAND, GA.
This barrier island’s tourism roots go back more than 100 years, when wealthy Northeastern industrialists made it their playground. The island has 10 miles of ocean beaches, extensive bike trails, and a historic town center.
In the tank: 150-mile round-trip from Jacksonville. Gas would cost $28.50 at 20 miles per gallon.
Deep pockets: AAA gives three-diamond ratings to Jekyll Island Club Hotel ($189-$453).
More affordable: Quality Inn and Suites ($129-$179) and Days Inn and Suites ($120-$220 for “June Sizzling Rates”) both get two- diamond ratings.
Dining: Mobil Travel Guide’s five-star rating system cites five restaurants, led by the Grand Dining Room at Jekyll Island Club Hotel with three stars. Others are Blackbeard’s and The Surf Steakhouse (each with two stars), and Zachry’s Seafood and Latitude 31 (each with one star.)
Eco-tourism: Jekyll Island Campground ($20-$31) has 206 spaces.
Activities: Summer Waves ($16-$20), Georgia Sea Turtle Center ($4- $6), 63 holes of golf (some hotels include 18 holes in their room packages).
Learn more: www.jekyllisland.com or (912) 635-3636
“Some party for a country girl like me!”
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008Imagine yourself back at the Jekyll Island Club in the early days. Would you have been enjoying formal dinners at the Clubhouse or tea parties on the lawn? Not likely! It took a fat money clip and major connections to secure a place on the Club’s Membership Roster in days gone by.
No, to charm your way onto the exclusive island resort, you would have had to land a coveted post as a servant. But, never fear, many such positions were available.
On Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 17 to August 7, at 10:00 am, the Jekyll Island Museum is offering “In the Service of Others,” a specialty tour describing what your experience might have been like as one of the hundreds of working class men, women, and children that were needed to make this life of luxury possible.
Personal maids, valets, secretaries, chauffeurs, caddies, chefs, waiters, groundskeepers, captains, caretakers, and laundresses were all an integral part of the Jekyll Island Club community. This summer, their hidden world will be explored at this upscale turn-of-the-century resort.
Whether carrying a golf bag, steering the Club ferry, handing out bouquets, wielding a feather duster, serving champagne jelly, or driving a Model T, those lucky enough to obtain work at the elite island resort had access to amazing opportunities for the time.
Many island employees left personal accounts of their experiences on the island, through oral histories, photograph collections, letters, and diaries, which form the basis for this special behind-the-scenes tour.
Learn how Superintendent Ernest Grob managed the Jekyll Island Club for 42 years, so well that Susan Albright Reed later wrote “Mr. Grob, the club manager, had a happy facility for making each Jekyl member, all one hundred of them, feel that he worked for him only.”
See pictures of Jekyll Island employees from 1905 and 1906, taken by Hermine Zimmerman Call, a Swiss immigrant employed by Dr. Henry Sears and his wife Jean Struthers Sears. Call worked for the Sears family as a tutor of French and a packer of clothes and jewels.
Hear about the experiences of Ray Hill and his family, who were important figures in Jekyll Island’s African American community throughout the Jekyll Island Club Era. Ray Hill was first employed as a playmate to young Bobby Goodyear and also served as a caddy on the island’s golf courses. Members of his family worked on the island in a variety of capacities over the years. They included a wagon driver, coachman, caretaker, groundskeeper, houseman, and schoolteacher.
Discover Kate Brown, who hired on as a personal secretary and tutor for the Valentine Everit Macy family in 1917. When her duties with the Macy children were finished, she attended tea at Moss Cottage, played golf with Mrs. Macy, went bike riding with William Rockefeller, dined at the Club Hotel, and “motored” along the beach for a picnic. She wrote that her visit to the Jekyll Island Club was “Some party for a country girl like me!”
This tour takes guests into the hidden service areas of two of the cottages, where the employees lived and worked. Discover what job duties, wages, and benefits were available for those working at this Gilded Era island resort. Find out about differences in employee social status, the outings and entertainments available to off-duty staff, as well as certain unique customs for addressing servants in the late 1900s.
This specialty tour departs from the Jekyll Island Museum building on Stable Road on Tuesdays and Thursdays from June 17 to August 7, 2008 at 10:00 am. Adults $16, Children $7, Free under 6. For information about daily tour offerings, call the Jekyll Island Museum at (912) 635-4036
