“Just Across the Sound: The Jekyll – St. Simons Island Connection”
Despite the short distance between them, Jekyll and St. Simons islands have long shared a constantly shifting relationship. On March 13, Allison Dupuis, the Director of Public Programming at the Coastal Georgia Historical Society, discussed this relationship through historical accounts, documents, and images from both islands and from their neighbors. Encompassing a nearly 300-year period of history, from the lifetime of James Oglethorpe to the present day, this narrative shows the two communities as rivals, as webs of family relationships, and ultimately as necessary lifelines for each other.
Gullah Geechee Corridor and Heritage
On February 20, Griffin Lotson presented a dynamic program about his heritage, the Gullah Geechee culture, and the Gullah Geechee Corridor, which Jekyll Island is a part.
Trolley tour to Indian Mound Cottage where attendees were greeted by J.P. Morgan, Jr., aka Jack. Jack discussed his membership in the Jekyll Island Club and his experiences on the island.
Sapelo Island Trip – Visits to a research lab, the Georgia Marine Institute (GAMI), the beach, and the historic lighthouse, and a general tour of the island.
“John Wesley on St. Simons” presented by Rev. Dave Hanson
Rev. Hansen’s presentation answered the following questions, Why was John Wesley’s time on St. Simons short-lived? Did he leave because of a broken heart, because of enforcing the law of no gun fire on Sunday, or because his ministry floundered?
Robin Gunn, of the Ossabaw Island Foundation presented The History of Ossabaw Island
St. Andrews Beach Community: The Success that Trauma Birthed presented by Helen Ladson
Ms. Ladson discussed the St. Andrews Beach community, which was established as the beach designated for African Americans during the segregation era until the 1970s. This area was the home of the historic Dolphin Club Hotel and was a part of the Chitlin’ Circuit that celebrated African American art, music and culture. Beach communities such as this served as an important example of economic power in African American/Black History that celebrates the innovation and ingenuity of a people who triumphed over the trauma of enslavement and segregation.
2025 Online Auction Ended March 16.
Thank you to our donors and solicitors who were vital to the success of the 2025 Online Auction. FOHJI was able to net a substantial amount to contribute to the Gould Casino exterior renovation. A list of the 2025 donors is available on the Events Page.
2025 Gala Dinner – February 4, 2025
This year the Friends of Historic Jekyll island celebrated contributing more than one million dollars to various historic projects over the years. With us to celebrate was William Horton, the original owner of Horton House. He discussed his life on Jekyll Island and all the changes that have occurred since his tenure. Proceeds from the evening went to the Chuck Diefenderfer Internship Program. To see more photos from the evening, go to the Gallery page.
2024 Holiday Event: Toast to Mistletoe Cottage (Members Only)
FOHJI Members met at Mosaic’s Tack Room for refreshments and then took a Holly Jolly Trolley to Mistletoe Cottage for an informal tour.
New Public Safety Complex
Annual Gala Dinner
The Gala Dinner was held in the Grand dining Room of the Jekyll Island Hotel, and we had a wonderful turnout. The theme was the recent conservancy of the Tiffany Window. Taylor Davis, JIA Preservationist, and Tom Alexander, FOHJI Board Member, presented a summary of the conservancy process from the analysis of the window’s needs to the removal of the window from Faith Chapel to the work done at Mosaic’s Tack Room, and finally to the reinstallation of the window. The door prizes and the raffle of a Tiffany-inspired glass globe reflected this theme. Former FOHJI president Tom Pfaffenbach was remembered with a moment of silence. A big thank you to the Dinner Committee for their hard work that resulted in a successful event.
Members Only Holiday Social at Hollybourne
Thank you to all our members who attended the social. A BIG THANK YOU to Susan Williams and Shelly Gardner for their delicious foods and festive decorations. Thank you, too, to their bar-tending husbands. Last, but not least, thank you to Patrick Carmody and Will Story for working the party.
Annual Dinner
“Celebrating 35 Years of Memories”
The Annual dinner was a huge success! Thank you to David Lodge and Sarah Tallu Schuyler for sharing interesting and entertaining stories about their family connections to Jekyll Island. Thank you to the Jekyll Island Hotel staff who served a delicious five-course dinner. All proceeds from the dinner benefit the Baker-Crane Carriage House Restoration.
2022 Holiday Party at Hollybourne
FOHJI Board Members were invited to the 75th Anniversary Time Capsule Dedication on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. The time capsule, honoring Jekyll Island’s 75th Anniversary as a State Park, is buried adjacent to the historical marker featuring M.E. Thompson and the purchase of Jekyll Island; it will be opened in 2047, Jekyll Island’s 100th anniversary as a Georgia State Park. Jekyll Island Authority Executive Leadership, Board of Directors, and state dignitaries were in attendance.
Time Capsule Dedication
FOHJI Board Members were invited to the 75th Anniversary Time Capsule Dedication on Tuesday, October 18, 2022. The time capsule, honoring Jekyll Island’s 75th Anniversary as a State Park, is buried adjacent to the historical marker featuring M.E. Thompson and the purchase of Jekyll Island; it will be opened in 2047, Jekyll Island’s 100th anniversary as a Georgia State Park. Jekyll Island Authority Executive Leadership, Board of Directors, and state dignitaries were in attendance.
Celebrating Jekyll Island’s 75th Anniversary
Tiffany Window Holiday Party
Barbara Stevenson presented an interesting program on the history and symbolism of the Tiffany Window. The event was followed with a holiday party at Villa Ospo.
FOHJI Marker Unveiling
FOHJI President Rita Thompson delivered some remarks to those gathered for the event. Taylor Davis, the preservationist, did the honors of unveiling the marker.