Tabby House

The Tabby House the oldest standing structure on Cumberland Island and dates to around 1802.

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Cumberland Island - Southend

Significance:

Oldest Standing Structure on Cumberland Island

Designation:

National Register of Historic Places - Dungeness Historic District

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

The Tabby House is the oldest standing structure on Cumberland Island, dating back to around 1800. It is made of tabby- a mixture oyster shells, lime (produced from the burning of oyster shells), sand, and water. The Tabby House was constructed by the widow of General Nathaniel Greene, Catherine, and her second husband Phineas Miller. The Tabby House may have served as the family’s temporary housing while Dungeness was being constructed before becoming the gardener's house. Later, the Carnegie family remodeled the structure to serve as the business office for the property. Such a space was necessary to oversee the Carnegie estate's many employees. Located adjacent to the Dungeness ruins, visitors can walk the grounds of this historic building and others nearby. There is no public entry to the Tabby House except when a ranger is present to open the house for tours.