A new outdoor exploration opportunity has been added on Jekyll Island. Locally owned and operated, Jekyll Island Fun Tours is now offering guided Segway Personal Transportation (PT) tours of Jekyll Island’s maritime forest. Visitors are able to learn about an important eco-system while enjoying a novel, eco-friendly mode of transportation.

Popular around the globe, the Segway PT is a self-balancing two-wheel device designed to go anywhere in a safe, efficient manner. The first of its kind, the Segway PT runs on batteries and is a zero-emissions form of transportation. Segway technology enables the Segway PT to work seamlessly with the operator’s body movements.

The Jekyll Island tour begins with a safety video and then a hands-on familiarization with a Segway PT. After orientation, riders enter the maritime forest. Jekyll Island’s maritime forest is an environmentally rich home to numerous species of plants and animals. Riders can get an up close view of the plant life from their Segway PT via the natural paths that run through the forest. A trained guide gives descriptions and explanations of species found in order for visitors to understand the ecological importance of the salt marsh and maritime forests.

Tours depart from the Jekyll Island gas station parking lot at 50 Ben Fortson Parkway. They run between 1.5-2 hours including the training time. All tours include training and helmets. Tour participants must be 16 years or older with weight limitations from 100-250 lbs. Call 912-635-9704 for more information and tour departure times.

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Posted in Bird Watching, Nature Connection, Two Wheelin' | No Comments »

Passport to the Century

Travel into the past. Hear the remarkable story
of the Jekyll Island Club in the American Gilded
Era, and enter two restored cottages filled with
rich tales and elegant furnishings.
January 2 - May 26, 2008
• 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm daily
May 27 - September 1, 2008
• 10 am, 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm & 3 pm daily
September 2 - December 5, 2008
• 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm daily
$16 Adults • $7 Children 6-12
Free under 6 • approx 90 min

Reclaiming Past Glories

Tour the last Jekyll Island Club Cottage to be
preserved. Hear about the family that resided
in this vacation retreat and discover the steps
required to preserve the structure. Don’t miss
this rare sneak peak inside a cottage that is
only open to the public in honor of Historic
Preservation Month!
May 3-31, 2008 • Sat only • 12:30 pm & 2:00 pm
$10 Adults • $5 Children 6-12 • Free under 6 •
approx 60 min

Reclaiming Past Glories

May 2-31
Celebrate Historic Preservation Month with a special
behind the scenes tour of Hollybourne Cottage!

In Service of Others

June 17 - August 7
Explore the hidden world of the hired help at this
upscale turn of the century resort.

Hands on History

July 2 - July 30
Embark on a guided learning adventure for
family fun! Wednesdays only, 9:30 am and 11:00am.

For more information, visit our website at
www.jekyllisland.com.
To make reservations
contact the Jekyll Island
Museum at 912-635-4036
Tours operate daily except Christmas Day & New Year’s Day.
Tour availability & pricing subject to change.

Tags: Jekyll Island April Beachscape, jekyll island history, jekyll island museum, Jekyll Island tours
Posted in April 2008, Beachscape, History comes Alive | No Comments »

By Meghan Ross, Museum Staff

Sixty years ago, three hundred Georgians braved the elements to be among the first to visit Jekyll Island as a new state park. The weather was not ideal for opening day, which took place on March 6th, 1948. But cold and rain did not stop visitors from exploring the island that had long been the exclusive winter playground to America’s wealthiest families.
Several activities lured visitors in from each corner of the state. The Clubhouse pool was to be finished within the week and nine holes of golf ready within the month. There were also six scheduled boar hunts that took place that month to help control the boar population. Opening day events included bus rides to the state’s first public beach, a sumptuous opening day dinner in the Grand Dining Room as well as a dance for visitors to mix and mingle.
Beginning in 1954, the island’s history also became a main attraction. Tallu Fish, the island’s first curator, was instrumental in attracting visitors to Jekyll Island by opening up Indian Mound Cottage to the public as a museum.
She started the first guided tram tours through the historic district. She also helped to boost tourism by advertising the legend of the “Wishing Chair” to raise money for historic preservation. For just twenty-five cents, guests had the privilege of sitting in the infamous chair to make a wish in hopes that it would be granted. This “Wishing Chair” can still be seen on guided tours of the historic district inside Indian Mound Cottage today.
Jekyll Island’s amusement park, Peppermint Land, was open for business in the spring of 1956. This little amusement park, run by Harvey Smith, had its very own roller coaster, ferris wheel, carousel, and go-cart track. Unfortunately, due to financial issues, Smith had to close the doors to Peppermint Land in 1966.
In April of 1961, the Jekyll Island Authority opened the doors to its new Aquarama. This modern structure housed a meeting space large enough to accommodate two thousand people. It also included a 150-foot pool, dressing rooms, and an exhibition hall. The Aquarama was a big hit with tourism for Jekyll Island.
Nine holes of the original 1928 Great Dunes Golf Course were renovated and open for limited play in 1948. In 1955, the present Great Dunes golf course was completed and reopened to the public. In the early 1960s, Jekyll Island opened up its new 18-hole golf course named Oleander. In 1966, another 18-hole golf course named Pine Lakes opened, and in 1975 the 18 holes of the Indian Mound golf course were ready for play.
Over the sixty years that Jekyll Island has been a state park, we have seen many attractions come and go. Peppermint Land is no longer here, the Aquarama closed, and some activities have been shaped and molded over time.
To learn more about Jekyll Island’s earlier history, please visit the Jekyll Island Museum located on Stable Road. Exhibits are open to the public free of charge, and tours of the historic district depart daily. For more information, call (912) 635-4036.

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island history, jekyll island museum, jekyll island state park, Jekyll Island tours
Posted in Beachscape, March 2008 | 2 Comments »

Tags: jekyll island, jekyll island history, jekyll island museum, Jekyll Island tours
Posted in Beachscape, March 2008 | No Comments »