Saint Simons African American Heritage Coalition

St. Simons Island Gullah Geechee Tour

We honor the resilience, legacy, and creativity of Gullah culture. Join us in preserving our story – make reservations with us today!

• Mobile Van Tours of three African American Heritage Sites – call to schedule; admission varies by group size

The place name, Geechee, is derived from the Ogeechee River near Savannah, and was used to designate the language and enslaved people of Coastal Georgia. Since speaking in their native African tongue was typically forbidden, the Gullah Geechee dialect allowed enslaved people a spirited piece of freedom – communicating in words and song not completely understood by the slave owners. Today, the influence of Gullah Geechee is evident in many of the distinctive dialects of Southerners.

Our guides will bring the tour group to three African American communities on St. Simons Island that include South End, Jewtown, and Harrington. Listen to the stories of our lives and those of our ancestors in these communities and the generations of families who lived, played, worked and worshipped together. We hope that you enjoy, learn, and feel this treasured culture that we are sharing with you.