The first weekend in October, the Cherokee of Georgia are holding their 45th Annual Fall Pow Wow, and you are invited. Below, learn about the Cherokee of Georgia, their history, and how you may partake in their festivities. Georgia Roots In 1989, the Cherokee of Georgia became a state-recognized tribe. Read more
The date: May 1, 1562. The explorer: Jean Ribault. After a long and arduous journey, this French Huguenot officer and his troops sailed into the mouth of the St. Johns River at present-day Jacksonville, Florida, where they gratefully stepped ashore. Here they erected a column claiming this territory for France, Read more
Each hurricane season, residents of the coastal Southeast scan weather forecasts with a worried eye. But have you ever wondered why hurricanes hit the East Coast more often than other places, such as the West Coast? The answer lies in a complex combination of geography, ocean currents, wind patterns, and Read more
Beneath canopies of pine and oak across the Southeastern United States, the rugged, fan-leaved saw palmetto thrives. For centuries, this palm has played a central role in the region’s ecology, traditional medicine, and cultural lore. Below, we explore the saw palmetto’s story of resilience and healing. A Southern Native The Read more
Drive through any Southern neighborhood in the height of summer, and you will likely marvel at billowing blooms of pink, lavender, red, and white. These vibrant colors belong to crepe myrtle trees, a hallmark of Southern charm. However, these trees did not originate here; their journey to becoming an icon Read more
Visitors come from far and wide to visit Cumberland Island in the hopes of glimpsing its famed wild horses. As you take in the awe-inspiring sight of their grazing at Dungeness’ imposing ruins, you may wonder how they arrived on this island. Their background is connected with horses’ overall history Read more
It is that time of year when our favorite deep-pink and golden fruit is ripening and will make its appearance at our favorite road-side stand. That’s right, it is Georgia peach season. It is not just us Georgians who are fans of this summer fruit; the Georgia peach has become Read more
Nothing says Americana like root beer. This beverage, with origins in Native American traditions, is uniquely North American. In Southeast Georgia, we have an even deeper connection to this drink: the local Timucua tribe named nearby Cumberland Island “Missoe,” or “sassafras,” the key ingredient in root beer, which they brewed Read more
At Cumberland Island’s Dungeness Mansion, a bird’s shrill cry pierces the silence. The ospreys have returned to their nest atop the ruins’ lofty chimney. Maybe you have heard ospreys’ calls in your neighborhood, too. Let us learn about these majestic birds, their superior hunting skills, and their fight for survival Read more
We all know that Abraham Lincoln’s iconic Emancipation Proclamation marked a turning point not just in the Civil War but in our country’s history. However, many enslaved African Americans did not receive word of Lincoln’s address or the freedom it granted them for years. The United States’ most recent holiday Read more