Selected museums and historic sites throughout Brunswick and The Golden Isles will offer free admission and special programs during the fifth annual Museum Day, Saturday Sept. 26. Participating sites will include:BRUNSWICK
• Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site
ST. SIMONS ISLAND
• Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum
• Fort Frederica National Monument
• Maritime Museum at the Historic Coast Guard Station
• Mildred Huie Plantation Museum
JEKYLL ISLAND
• Jekyll Island Museum and National Historic Landmark District
Museum Day visitors to Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation State Historic Site will have an opportunity to work on a special service project to beautify the park entrance. The former rice plantation offers more than 1,000 acres that include eight historic structures, antebellum plantation house with original furnishings, visitor center and museum, four miles of trails, marsh overlook and picnic area. The site is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Fort Frederica National Monument presents "Frederica Foodways: 18th Century Cooking" throughout the day. Costumed historical interpreters will demonstrate the ways in which early Georgians prepared and preserved a variety of foods. The town of Frederica was founded by General Oglethorpe in 1736, three years after the founding of Savannah. Park ranger-led tours and soldier/colonial life programs throughout the year recall life in Georgia's second town. The site's Visitor Center offers "History Uncovered," a 23-minute orientation film, and various exhibits that portray colonial life. The visitor center is open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.
The Maritime Museum at the Historic Coast Guard Station offers an exciting look at coastal Georgia's natural assets as well as the area's maritime and military history. Seven galleries feature a variety of hands-on exhibits and activities that explore topics ranging from life in a working Coast Guard Station to coastal weather, wildlife and archaeology. The museum is open Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
At the Mildred Huie Plantation Museum, you'll learn about plantation life on St. Simons Island, though detailed models of plantation homes and paintings by artist Mildred Huie. Sculptor Mary Whitty will display her likenesses of St. Simons Island's earliest residents and visitors, including John Couper, Aaron Burr, Neptune Small and other plantation people. At 3:00 pm, the museum will unveil a 52" X 137" mural depicting St. Simons Island and its landmarks. Created in 1980 by Mildred Huie, the mural was thought to have been lost. It was found at the Old Plantation Supper Club, which closed in 2000. The Mildred Huie Plantation Museum is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm and at other times by appointment.
The Arthur J. Moore Methodist Museum, at Epworth by the Sea on St. Simons Island, will conduct a rare book sale during Museum Day. Offerings will include histories, biographies, religion and devotional classics including works by Georgia authors. The Moore Methodist Museum highlights St. Simons Island's plantations as well as Methodist history, through a variety of exhibits, video and an interactive display. The museum also features an unusual collection of nativity scenes from around the world. It is open Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
The Jekyll Island Museum and National Historic Landmark District will offer free admission for visitors that present the Museum Day Admission Card from www.smithsonian.com, and reduced admission for others. From 1887 to 1942, Jekyll Island was once an exclusive winter retreat for some of America’s wealthiest families. The Jekyll Island Club counted among its members such men as J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Joseph Pulitzer and other industrial and financial leaders of their day. They created a complex that included a grand clubhouse (now the Jekyll Island Club Hotel), a collection of “cottages” and a variety of support structures, which are now part of the National Historic Landmark District.
Museum Day is sponsored by Smithsonian Magazine. The program is designed to reflect the spirit of the magazine and emulate the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution's Washington, DC-based properties. During Museum Day, museums and cultural sites offer free admission to Smithsonian readers and Smithsonian.com visitors.
To receive free admission to participating museums and historic sites, visit www.smithsonian.com/museumday to download a free Museum Day Admission Card. Attendees must present the Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. Each card provides museum access for two people, and one admission card is permitted per household. Listings and links to participating museums can be found at www.smithsonian.com/museumday.
