History Research

 The Lower Altamaha Historical Society is proud to announce that it is making available to the public, for study and research, all its records, genealogical information, books, and historical data.  Beginning in June, 2008, LAHS's new Archives Building, situated on the grounds of the Fort King George historic site, will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every Thursday.  As is true with all archival materials, "on site" use is the rule.

 In a mutually beneficial cooperative venture, the Historical Society has been holding its regular meetings at Fort King George for the past few years.  When the need for a home for the historical information accumulated by LAHS during its almost 30 years of existence in McIntosh County became crucial, erecting an Archives Building at Fort King George was a natural outgrowth of this working relationship.  The past year has been spent in gathering items that had been scattered in various places, purchasing and installing the building, and making it a safe haven for storage of historical papers. 

 In addition, LAHS is the publisher and distributor of many significant local history books and pamphlets, most of which were written or compiled by Buddy Sullivan.  These publications will be available for sale or may be read at the Archives Building.  It is hoped that the convenience and accessibility of the Archives Building being at Fort King George will lead to much use and interest in the papers, books and information housed therein.  LAHS is most grateful to Steven Smith, superintendent of the Fort, and his staff for their continuing help and hospitality.

The Lower Altamaha Historical Society meets the third Thursday of every month at Fort King George beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Officers elected at the Annual Meeting in May were:  President  -  Harriet Roberson,  Vice-president  -  Jack Godfrey,  Secretary  -  Dee Slagle,  Treasurer  -  Kaye Traer,  and Board members  -  Martha Carney, Betty Ewing, Dan Good, and Carole Williams.  Board members continuing from the past year are:  Jim Bruce, Carol Churi, Mary Evelyn Hoffhaus and Chris Milner.

Membership in the Society is open to all, and visitors are always welcome.  Meetings are interesting and educational, usually related to the  history of McIntosh County and/or the surrounding areas.  For additional information about LAHS or the new Archives Building, the president may be reached at 265-6729.

BOOKS FOR SALE

LAHS offers a variety of books for sale which document many of the McIntosh County historical events and locations. Buddy Sullivan, well known historian, is the author of many of these publications. Visit our book list on the site (click here).

HISTORY COURSES

A variety of History Courses are annually taught by our LAHS member and ex-President, Buddy Sullivan. These courses generally cover the history of the Coastal Georgia area and vary in their content, schedule and length to fit the audience and available class locations.

>>Coastal Georgia history course, with the emphasis on St. Simons and Brunswick. This typically will span 6 weeks with classes in the evenings. It is a survey of the history of the Georgia coast with the emphasis on our immediate area--i.e... St. Simons, Sapelo, Jekyll, Brunswick and Darien, and includes all the barrier islands and adjoining mainland,  spanning 1500 to the present.  (Next class date TBD)

>>The History of Darien and McIntosh County  conducted by Buddy Sullivan, coastal Georgia historian. 

    Sullivan, the author of fourteen published books on coastal and state history, will focus his lectures on the various stages of McIntosh County history, including Spanish missions, colonial settlement, rice plantations, Civil War, Altamaha River rafting, the county's maritime heritage and  culture, and the commercial fishing industry.  Interwoven with the primary theme of the series will be an overview of coastal Georgia history and how people over the last 400 years have utilized the environment and the ecosystems of the coast in their economic and cultural history.   

    Sullivan is the author of the definitive history of McIntosh County,  EARLY DAYS ON THE GEORGIA TIDEWATER, published in 1990 and reissued with additional material in five reprints.  He is a teacher and story teller "extraordinaire".  (Next class date TBD)