Director Cullen Chambers Receives Highest Award! on The Tybee Times Online

Cullen Chambers Wins Mary Gregory Jewett Award!

Highest Honor from The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation

ATLANTA, May 15, 2009 – Cullen Chambers, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historic Society, received the 2009 Mary Gregory Jewett Award, the Trust’s highest honor, at the recent Preservation Awards ceremony in Augusta.

"Without the passion, determination, skills and commitment of Cullen Chambers, many historically and culturally significant resources of Georgia’s coast would be lost forever," said Mark C. McDonald, president and CEO of The Georgia Trust.

As executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, Cullen Chambers tirelessly advocates for the continued recognition and preservation of Tybee Island as well as other coastal Georgia sites. Since 1994, Cullen has fought to save the unique history of Tybee Island through the collection of documents, artifacts, oral histories and the preservation of the built environment on and near Tybee. One of Cullen’s most notable successes is the Tybee Island Light Station. The strategic plan and business model developed by Cullen lead to the procurement of two million dollars of funding for restoring the entire seven building light station. With the Tybee Island Light Station being one of the most complete light stations in the nation, the success of the Tybee Historical Society’s project has received recognition from the U.S. Department of the Interior and The National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Outside of the light station, Cullen’s contributions to coastal Georgia’s preservation include: the documentation and nomination of three National Register Historic Districts on Tybee, two island wide surveys of historic resources on Tybee, the relocation and preservation of six historic Raised Tybee Cottages threatened by demolition, the restoration of the Fort Screven Guard House, consulting on the historic 1930 Tybee Theater project, writing the preservation plan for the 1910 Fort Screven Fire Station, contributing to the initiation of Tybee’s first historic preservation ordinance, raising funds and forming a citizen support group for the preservation of the Cockspur Island Lighthouse, providing volunteer consultation on the St. Simons and Sapelo Island lighthouses, and developing a report of recommendations for the Dorchester Academy - one of The National Trust’s recently announced 11 Most Endangered Historic Places for 2009.

Cullen has not only preserved buildings, but has triumphed through preservation to earn the trust and respect of area citizens with his patience, knowledge and sincere concern for the region’s history and its people. For more than 30 years, the Trust has recognized preservation projects and individuals throughout Georgia who have made significant contributions to the field of historic preservation. Awards are presented on the basis of the contributions of the person or project to the community and/or state and on compliance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is one of the country’s largest statewide, nonprofit preservation organizations. Founded in 1973, the Trust is committed to preserving and enhancing Georgia’s communities and their diverse historic resources for the education and enjoyment of all. The Trust generates community revitalization by finding buyers for endangered properties acquired by its Revolving Fund; provides design assistance to 98 Georgia Main Street cities and encourages neighborhood revitalization; trains teachers in 56 Georgia school systems to engage students in discovering state and national history through their local historic resources; and advocates for funding, tax incentives and other laws aiding preservation efforts. To learn more about The Georgia Trust and the Preservation Awards, visit http://www.georgiatrust.org.

Summer Twilight at Tybee Light Continues!

(Photo compliments of the Tybee Island Historical Society)

Summer is here and the days are longer, giving us more time to enjoy all the unique natural and historic beauty that Tybee has to offer. It’s a perfect time to introduce "expanded tours" at the Tybee Light Station for those who just cannot find time to do everything there is to do in our area.

To meet the needs of visitors to Tybee and Savannah, the staff of the Tybee Island Historical Society is pleased to be able to extend an invitation to everyone in the travel and hospitality industry to provide your guest with a nighttime tour of the newly restored Tybee Light Station.

The Tybee Station is one of the most complete in the nation, having all of its historic Keeper’s cottages and support buildings intact and fully restored, giving visitors a unique opportunity to experience the life style and living conditions of Keeper’s and their families. The lighthouse provides an incredible view of coastal Georgia with a panoramic view that includes nearby Cockspur Lighthouse, Fort Pulaski, Hilton Head, Daufuskie Island and a variety of ships coming into and out of Savannah, one of the busiest seaports on the east coast. It also remains as one of the few “Active Aids to Navigation” guiding ships along the Georgia coast and into the Savannah River.

According to Cullen Chambers, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society, “With the completion of the entire light station we feel that we can now offer our visitors a special and complete lighthouse experience that would not have been possible prior to its restoration. The demand for after hour and special programming has been expressed for years, and we’re all thrilled that we are now in a position to fulfill that demand. We will offer theses special but limited experiences to groups of 25 or more to begin with and make modifications based on the response. Eventually, we hope to have organized guided walking tours of the Fort Screven National Historic District as well as the Back River/Inlet National Historic District.

Chambers indicated that there are a variety of group tour packages available to meet the varied needs and budgets of groups visiting our area ranging from $10.00 self guided tours to a $35.00 fee per person that includes a personalized guided tour, wine, cheese and transportation. Anyone wishing to book a group of 25 or more should contact Sarah Jones at (912)786-5801 (phone); (912) 786-6538 (fax) or tybeelighthouse.org.

The Light Station grounds may also be booked for special events. Call Sarah at the number above for more information.

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