PRESIDENTS Annual Report
It has been another rewarding year for the Lower Altamaha
Historical Society, highlighted by outstanding lecture programs, an active
Board of Directors and increased use of the LAHS history archives. The
mission of the LAHS to collect, preserve and disseminate the history of
McIntosh County and the lower Altamaha River valley has been considerably
furthered in the last year, following and adhering to the pattern established
by the Society’s founding in 1979 by a group of local individuals who saw the
wisdom of protecting and maintaining an ongoing connection to our region’s
culture, history and ecology.
In the last year, we have further solidified our close
partnership with the Fort King George Historic Site, as well as established a
similar linkage with our nearby neighbor, the Hofwyl-Broadfield Historic Site
across the Altamaha River. “Altamaha” is part of our name and therefore our
focus on the history, culture and environmental aspects of the Altamaha River
basin has been an integral part of our mission since William G. “Bill” Haynes
suggested, with great acumen and foresight, the use of the river’s name as
the bedrock of our organization and what it stands for. The “river” is what
we are, and will continue to be. It is thus fitting that the LAHS maintain a
close and productive affiliation with both Fort King George and Hofwyl, which
are both uniquely situated astride the river and provide distinct aspects of
education and interpretation for locals and visitors alike.
Similarly, our strong partnerships with The Ashantilly
Center and the Friends of Sapelo have been expanded and amplified as
reflected in joint programming and other initiatives.
The efforts of Jim Bruce and Yvonne Carter have made
tracking our membership rolls and dues collection more efficient than ever
before. Jim has upgraded the LAHS website to include useful tools such as the
PayPal system by which members can pay their annual dues online and members
and friends can order items from the LAHS booklist online. Carole Williams
continues to provide her valuable services as the editor of our Altamaha
Echoes newsletter for which we are continually grateful.
The annual Buddy Sullivan Scholarship of $1,000 to a
deserving local graduating high school senior continues to help fulfill the
implementation of our educational outreach initiative. Jennifer Gale,
McIntosh County Academy, was the 2016 recipient.
The LAHS Archives has benefited from the receipt of
additional materials through donated books, and in particular, a useful set
of historical research maps of Georgia provided by Dan Good. Linda Daniels
has assumed oversight of the Archives volunteer program and we appreciate her
efficiency in this regard. Also during the past year, the LAHS Board decided
to streamline the operations of the Archives by which the facility is now
open only on the third Thursday of each month, and by special appointment as
necessary from individuals unable to utilize the facility on that day.
Harriet Roberson organized two highly interesting field
trips for participating members, one to McRae to visit the home of former
Georgia Governor Eugene Talmadge last fall, and this past spring a day trip
to Sapelo Island. The Friends of Sapelo provided assistance for that event as
well as helped arrange lunch at the Reynolds Mansion.
As your president I would like to especially thank our
Board of Directors for its enthusiasm, support and efforts on behalf of the
Society throughout the year. We continue to be in need of a permanent Program
Chairman. In that respect, the Board extends to the general membership an
invitation to make suggestions for speakers for future programs at our
monthly meetings.
Our lecture series, as always, had an array of
outstanding speakers and presenters, including: August 2015, Steve Smith on
the growth and development of the Massie Common School of Savannah as a
prominent center of education; September, Harriet Langford, with a review of
activities at Ashantilly, future initiatives and a discussion of William G.
Haynes and his continuing legacy to the Altamaha region; October, Dr. William
J. Morton on boundary surveyor Andrew Ellicott; November, Chris Milner, John
Crawford and Buddy Sullivan made a joint presentation on the story of the
timber raftsmen on the Altamaha; January 2016, Dr. Michael Morris spoke about
the Southeastern Indians and their interaction with colonial traders;
February, Valarie Ikhwan of Fort King George gave an update on educational
and volunteer activities at the site as well as an overview of the colonial
history of the fort; March, Buddy Sullivan reviewed the history of Sapelo
through images and commentary; April, The Nature Conservancy staff provided
an update on its various projects in the Altamaha River and environs; May, Jo
Hickson discussed the Coastal Georgia Greenway bicycle trail and the efforts
to raise public and private funding to continue the trail’s construction
along the coast; June, Sudy Leavy provided a fascinating first-person
perspective of the late Miss Ophelia Dent of Hofwyl-Broadfield, highlighting
Miss Ophelia’s passion for protecting the Altamaha against development, dams
and barge traffic.
Buddy Sullivan
LAHS President