My Godmother, Mary Ricketson Bullard, wrote a book on the history of Cumberland Island. She had a house there until her death. She was an archeologist. Cumberland was like no other place I'd ever visited. I am sad to read this. And BTW - the Kennedy wedding sadly brought unneeded publicity to this quiet place.
She and my mother were housemates at Barnard and life long friends. She had an exceptional intellect - almost mind boggling the way she could weave history and stories together making fascinating connections. I felt lucky to have her in my life.
No one has plans to develop the island with a subdivision or hotel. These are not the real facts. The private land owners have protected the island all these years by not developing and by giving or selling (at reduced rates) to the government in 1982 so the island could continue to be protected.
I was 25 when they married and it seemed like a fairytale with an edge of passion (remember those public arguments?). Knowing what I know today, it was a nightmare. Carolyn’s mother desperately didn’t want her to marry John and was quite vocal from what I’ve read. She also told him not to take her girls up in the plane. He was inexperienced, egotistical, and reckless.
Cumberland Island is one of my favorite place on earth! I’m on Amelia Island and it’s an undiscovered gem. I love Amelia but Cumberland shouldn’t be developed like we have been.
Zero plans to develop. Zero. Private land owners are working with the national park service to possibly land swap in a way that would benefit the park and give the park even more acreage and protect the shoreline.
What a wonderful article! Thank you for sharing. May I suggest that enlist an editor or proofreader? There are numerous small errors that detract from your keen insights, such as "the Carnegie's, the Candler's..." instead of the correct "the Carnegies, the Candlers - the reference is to the group of family members, not their possessions and "boddess" instead of" bodice"
This makes me so sad to think that a single new building would be erected on this magical island. I had the good fortune of spending three nights in Carol’s guest “cabin” in the early nineties. I was traveling with 2 college friends and a baby pig named Weezy. We met and lived like the locals while there and even got invited to fly back to the mainland with GoGo (Carnegie descendant). What a memorable trip! Any development would ruin this unspoiled refuge.
Fight! Fight! Fight! The hedge fund guys & Hampton dwellers have done enough damage to our once pristine southern coastlines. Damn carpet baggers are determined to ruin every last vestige of peace & serenity in our part of the country.
Just not thrilled with someone (Julia) assuming the people involved are “damn carpet baggers” determined to ruin places like Cumberland Island. This is hurtful and ignorant. Like I’ve said, I’m a big fan of this Substack and share it with friends and family. I for one am not here to attack ANYONE, only to encourage further research.
I think there’s a little bit of everything and that’s the point of the tension - Each side has a valid argument and it’s intriguing to continue to glue myself to the back and forth
Wild Cumberland is one sided and quite extreme. You should speak to the Park Service and see how the island and national seashore can benefit from potential land exchanges.
I would be interested if the author here has spoken to anyone at Greystone Inn- which I always thought were the only private landowner and that the remainder of the island was under the NPS - National Park Service with already pretty strict guidelines for day tourists visiting and for the very small amount of guests allowed at the inn.
I think there is way more to uncover here as is usually the case when Dept of Interior and Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service are involved.
I’m trying to say the same thing. It would be good to speak to more people. Greyfield owners, the park service etc. I agree with what you said that there are more stones to unturn. More to this story.
We are always happy to follow the comment section & their opinion. That’s what I love about writing here. However, the Greyfield Inn is complete biased in their affiliations- So I’m not sure what they would say that wouldn’t be absolutely predictable.
Wild Cumberland and Will Harlan (your sources) are also one sided and biased. Why not talk to others involved? Especially the park/government. They’re the ones really in the middle and the ones with the ultimate say. Forget the private land owners if you want. For the record, I never engage this much online. It’s not my style to comment to strangers. I prefer in person dialogue. I did share a little more in an email back to the Substack blast if you and Jessica see/read those. I just care about this, as you clearly do as well. Only reason I’m putting my neck out there. Thanks for taking the time to read and consider these thoughts.
I appreciate your passion & will put forth a greater effort for communication to the government side. I look forward to sharing with you and staying in touch. Thank you for the conversation.
Almost every wild and beautiful barrier island along the shores of the southeastern region of America has been developed and overpopulated by those seeking to get away from it all. Cumberland is a place worth fighting for. It must be protected.
My Godmother, Mary Ricketson Bullard, wrote a book on the history of Cumberland Island. She had a house there until her death. She was an archeologist. Cumberland was like no other place I'd ever visited. I am sad to read this. And BTW - the Kennedy wedding sadly brought unneeded publicity to this quiet place.
Agreed. Have more to share as well. My grandmother Mary Warren spoke highly of your godmother. I have her lovely book.
She and my mother were housemates at Barnard and life long friends. She had an exceptional intellect - almost mind boggling the way she could weave history and stories together making fascinating connections. I felt lucky to have her in my life.
Is her book available for purchase? Sounds like a fascinating woman. Would love to read her book.
https://ugapress.org/book/9780820327419/cumberland-island/
Thank you
Check with U. Of Georgia Press.
Protect Cumberland island! Who needs another freaking subdivision or hotel? That place is a natural treasure.
No one has plans to develop the island with a subdivision or hotel. These are not the real facts. The private land owners have protected the island all these years by not developing and by giving or selling (at reduced rates) to the government in 1982 so the island could continue to be protected.
These actually are real facts, but thank you for your passion.
sticky situation. ok but who else dreamt of a caroline and jfk jr wedding when they were ten 🥰🎀
I was 25 when they married and it seemed like a fairytale with an edge of passion (remember those public arguments?). Knowing what I know today, it was a nightmare. Carolyn’s mother desperately didn’t want her to marry John and was quite vocal from what I’ve read. She also told him not to take her girls up in the plane. He was inexperienced, egotistical, and reckless.
We went to Cumberland Island on our honeymoon- such a special place.
Love that you covered Cumberland one of my favorite places in the world. 🐎💗
Thank you for your write up, Brianna! Just sent to my friend who lives In Amelia.
Cumberland Island is one of my favorite place on earth! I’m on Amelia Island and it’s an undiscovered gem. I love Amelia but Cumberland shouldn’t be developed like we have been.
Zero plans to develop. Zero. Private land owners are working with the national park service to possibly land swap in a way that would benefit the park and give the park even more acreage and protect the shoreline.
What a wonderful article! Thank you for sharing. May I suggest that enlist an editor or proofreader? There are numerous small errors that detract from your keen insights, such as "the Carnegie's, the Candler's..." instead of the correct "the Carnegies, the Candlers - the reference is to the group of family members, not their possessions and "boddess" instead of" bodice"
Same. Sorry to detract from wonderful article by commenting, but same.
Seems everyone knows the facts here and I’m just looking forward to reading carols book on my jumpseat 😉
Carols book is soooooo gooooood. We are all just fking peon idiots compared to Carol. Enjoy and let me know what you think!!!!
This makes me so sad to think that a single new building would be erected on this magical island. I had the good fortune of spending three nights in Carol’s guest “cabin” in the early nineties. I was traveling with 2 college friends and a baby pig named Weezy. We met and lived like the locals while there and even got invited to fly back to the mainland with GoGo (Carnegie descendant). What a memorable trip! Any development would ruin this unspoiled refuge.
Wowwww… this is an incredible memory. You are so lucky!
Fight! Fight! Fight! The hedge fund guys & Hampton dwellers have done enough damage to our once pristine southern coastlines. Damn carpet baggers are determined to ruin every last vestige of peace & serenity in our part of the country.
Your facts are completely off. Easy to say this not knowing the truth.
There’s literally legal documents that are linked in this article. You should do more research before you doubt ours.
I was speaking to Julia. I’m happy to talk to you further.
Just not thrilled with someone (Julia) assuming the people involved are “damn carpet baggers” determined to ruin places like Cumberland Island. This is hurtful and ignorant. Like I’ve said, I’m a big fan of this Substack and share it with friends and family. I for one am not here to attack ANYONE, only to encourage further research.
I think there’s a little bit of everything and that’s the point of the tension - Each side has a valid argument and it’s intriguing to continue to glue myself to the back and forth
Wild Cumberland is one sided and quite extreme. You should speak to the Park Service and see how the island and national seashore can benefit from potential land exchanges.
I have spoken to a handful of former tour guides who have lived on the island for months at a time.
I would be interested if the author here has spoken to anyone at Greystone Inn- which I always thought were the only private landowner and that the remainder of the island was under the NPS - National Park Service with already pretty strict guidelines for day tourists visiting and for the very small amount of guests allowed at the inn.
I think there is way more to uncover here as is usually the case when Dept of Interior and Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service are involved.
I speak from first hand experience.
I’ve not spoken to Greystone Inn, aside from understanding their pricing and reservation process.
I appreciate your feedback and agree that there are some stones that are unturned in this conversation.
I’m trying to say the same thing. It would be good to speak to more people. Greyfield owners, the park service etc. I agree with what you said that there are more stones to unturn. More to this story.
We are always happy to follow the comment section & their opinion. That’s what I love about writing here. However, the Greyfield Inn is complete biased in their affiliations- So I’m not sure what they would say that wouldn’t be absolutely predictable.
Wild Cumberland and Will Harlan (your sources) are also one sided and biased. Why not talk to others involved? Especially the park/government. They’re the ones really in the middle and the ones with the ultimate say. Forget the private land owners if you want. For the record, I never engage this much online. It’s not my style to comment to strangers. I prefer in person dialogue. I did share a little more in an email back to the Substack blast if you and Jessica see/read those. I just care about this, as you clearly do as well. Only reason I’m putting my neck out there. Thanks for taking the time to read and consider these thoughts.
I appreciate your passion & will put forth a greater effort for communication to the government side. I look forward to sharing with you and staying in touch. Thank you for the conversation.
*Greyfield Inn
Just authorize unrestricted harvesting, from 1/3 of the country (including all of Nevada that isn’t casinos or brothels) until the debt is paid.
Good read. Now do the creature of Jekyll Island. That’s some real deep American conspiracy theory material right there.
Idk what about that silver ball thing from ft George?
Ooo I don’t know this one!
Almost every wild and beautiful barrier island along the shores of the southeastern region of America has been developed and overpopulated by those seeking to get away from it all. Cumberland is a place worth fighting for. It must be protected.
Brianna, what a beautifully written article!