Cumberland Island has many beautiful architectural wonders with incredible stories to tell. Below, discover these iconic structures and learn how you can see them for yourself!

How to See the Dungeness Mansion

The jewel in the crown of Cumberland Island’s architecture is the stunning 59-room Gilded Aged Carnegie mansion. Its silent ruins beckon you to learn of the family’s sumptuous lifestyle and entertaining characters.

How to Arrive at Dungeness

The only way to reach the Dungeness Ruins is by foot.

Walk .5 mile on a shaded, flat path from the Dungeness Dock. At the main drag, turn right (south).

How to Learn About Dungeness

If you wish to learn about the Carnegie family and their incredible Dungeness estate, you have a couple of options:

1. Ranger-Led “Footsteps” Tour

Offered when staff is available, free ranger-led tours begin at the Dungeness Dock at the arrival of the ferry at 10:00 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. This tour lasts about an hour and covers around a mile.

Call the Cumberland Island Visitor Center at 912 882-4336 to find out if tours are offered the day you plan to visit.

2. Cumberland Island Walking Tour: Haunting Ruins and Wild Horses

This walking tour is Cumberland Island’s only regularly-offered tour covering the Dungeness Historic Area. On this tour, explore the evocative Carnegie mansion ruins, a historic marsh-front cemetery, Carnegie-era servants’ buildings, and more as you stroll down palmetto-lined trails past wild horses and expansive marshes.

Learn more and book ahead here.

How to See the Plum Orchard Mansion

This 22,000 square foot mansion, a generous gift from Lucy Carnegie to one of her sons, is open to the public so that all may see its elaborately-decorated rooms, basement, and servants’ quarters.

How To Arrive

Plum Orchard is located seven miles north of Sea Camp Dock.

It is possible to walk or bike here, planning for a round trip of 14 miles to and from Sea Camp. Some campgrounds are closer to to Plum Orchard.

You may arrive by private boat as well, as Plum Orchard has its own dock.

The Lands and Legacies van tour also visits Plum Orchard.

How to Learn

Volunteers offer free tours daily at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.

Greyfield Inn

Yet another impressive Carnegie construction, this home remains in the Carnegie family to this day. At this mansion-turned-inn, you can channel the Carnegies as a guest! With fifteen rooms and two additional cottages, it would be an unmatched stay if your pocketbook could support the price tag!

How to Arrive

Greyfield’s private ferry leaves from downtown Fernandina Beach and arrives at the inn’s private dock.

The only way to see this inn is by being a guest.

How to Learn

A pick-up truck tour of Cumberland Island is included for Greyfield guests.

First African Baptist Church

This tiny, unassuming church was catapulted to international fame when John Kennedy, Jr., and Carolyn Bessette married there in a super-secret wedding on September 21, 1996.

How to Arrive

About as far north on the island as you can get, this church is not easy to reach.

It is more accessible to campers staying at sites towards the north end of the island. Otherwise the only vehicle which could transport you to this church is the van on the Lands and Legacies tour.

How to Learn

The Lands and Legacies van tour includes this site on their all-day itinerary.

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Questions? Contact us here!

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Check out our Cumberland Island and St. Marys tours such as the Cumberland Island Walking Tour: Haunting Ruins and Wild Horses or the St. Marys Murder, Mayhem, and Martinis Walking Tour!

We also offer Cumberland Island private tours and field trips!