Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island
Located at 12 Georgianna Dr, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926. Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island preserves and restores the history of the Gullah people. The organization is a non-profit, 501(C)3 entity and is committed to the preservation of Gullah culture and language on Hilton Head Island.
The history of the Gullah people begins with West African enslaved people who tended cotton fields in the late 1600s. They were forced to work on the South Carolina-Georgia seaboard, as well as in indigo plantations and rice paddies. In the 1800s, they were isolated from the outside world by the Union Army during the Civil War. During that time, the island had around 1,100 residents. This article Carpet Cleaning Bluffton
After the Civil War, most of the people on the island became freedmen. However, the Gullahs kept their traditions alive. They continued to live off of the land without much outside influence. They preserved their African cultures, while also practicing traditional English. Some of these traditions included sweetgrass basket making, which dates back 300 years. In addition, the Africans were able to adapt to living freely in America.
In 1956, the isolation of Hilton Head Island ended with the construction of the James F. Byrnes Bridge. Until then, most of the island was a remote island that was not connected to the mainland. It was home to nearly two dozen plantations, where hundreds of slaves worked. The plantations were left in charge of Africans, who grew up to be overseers.
The Gullahs had strong communal ties, and the community translated the New Testament into the Gullah language. There was minimal outside intervention and the culture flourished. The translation took 20 years to complete.
The Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island was founded by Louise Miller Cohen. She is the descendant of William “Duey” Simmons. After the Civil War, Simmons’s house was rebuilt and restored as a museum.
This year, the Gullah Museum will host a Family Fun Day on Saturday, July 2. Visitors will enjoy music, face painting, food, bounce houses, and other activities. This event will be held at the Little Blue House, which is the home of the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island. The Little Blue House is a restored structure built in 1930 for William Simmons. The house contains the Gullah Museum, as well as a Praise House, garden, and meeting room. It is an outstanding walk through time. The Little Blue House is an important part of the Hilton Head Island community. Next blog post Bluffton Oyster Factory Park
The Gullah Museum of HIHI also serves as a catalyst for understanding the history of the Gullah people of Hilton Head Island. The museum offers guided tours. The site is also open Monday through Friday. The museum sells handmade Afro-inspired jewelry, as well as Afro-inspired clothing. Tickets are $5 for kids 6-12 and $15 for adults. The proceeds go to help the museum preserve the culture.
The Gullah Museum of the Lowcountry also hosts special events throughout the year. These include Taste of Gullah, Youth ArtsFest, and Heritage Days.