News Release

Re-Opening of Cumberland Island Mainland Museum and Visitor Center after Hurricane Dorian

Date: September 7, 2019
Contact: Jill Hamilton-Anderson, 912-882-4336 x257

(St. Marys, GA)– Cumberland Island National Seashore will reopen the Cumberland Island Mainland Museum and Visitor Center after being closed during Hurricane Dorian. The Visitor Center will maintain its normal operating hours, 8 AM to 4 PM daily. The Visitor Center has a small exhibit area and a park bookstore with a wide variety of books, clothing items, and unique souvenirs. It is also where one can find the inter-agency recreational passes, which waive entrance fees at national parks and many other federal lands in the country. (https://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes)
 
The mainland museum located at 129 Osborne Street will have extended hours from 10 AM to 4 PM Sunday and Monday, September 8th and 9th, and Thursday through Saturday, September 12th-14th. There will be a special program at 2 PM on a subject related to the island on these days. Tuesday and Wednesday, September 10th and 11th, will be regular hours 1 PM to 4 PM.
 
Visitors to the museum learn about the rich history of Cumberland Island and how it reflects the eras of U.S. History in ways more tangible than a text book. Park Rangers and volunteers will be available to answer questions about the island and its fascinating past.
 
Visitation to Cumberland Island remains closed due to the assessment of damaged docks and efforts to clean up storm debris. The superintendent has requested that a special team from the National Park Service Eastern Incident Management (EIM) program come to the island to assist. The EIM is sending a 10-person crew to clean up high visitation areas and campgrounds. They arrive on Sunday September 8th.
 
“I am thankful that no visitors, residents, or employees were injured and no serious damage occurred to our historic buildings. We will make every effort to get the park open as soon as possible. We are thankful to our partners and the community for their support and understanding as we work diligently to reopen,” said Park Superintendent Gary Ingram.
 
Due to damage to docks and limited space, private boaters will not be allowed access to island docks. Repairs to Sea Camp dock to allow ferry access is a park priority and is being remedied immediately. The timeline for these repairs is not confirmed at this time.
 
All camping reservations are cancelled through September 14th. Any campers with reservations beginning after that will be updated on the status of their reservations via email. Anyone with ferry reservations must call the ferry concessioner at 877-860-6787 to arrange a transfer of a reservation or a refund.
 
Please monitor our FaceBook page for up-to-date information about visiting Cumberland Island National Seashore: www.facebook.com/CumberlandIslandNPS/
 
Cumberland Island is the largest barrier island off the coast of Georgia, encompassing more than 36,000 acres of maritime forests, salt marsh and beaches. The island is also home to over 9,800 acres of congressionally designated wilderness. The island’s natural and cultural resources provide a rich and diverse habitat for wildlife and offer a glimpse into the long history of coastal Georgia. The seashore is accessible by pedestrian-only passenger ferry from the historic community of St. Marys.
 
www.nps.gov
 

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