The 2nd Floor at The Westin Hotel on Hilton Island houses a wonderful display to learn about the history of the island. There's information about the environment, history connected to both The Civil War and The Revolutionary War. Information regarding Mitchelville and the large Gullah Geechee Corridor. It was hard to try and take pictures without getting the reflections from the lights. If you click on these pictures, you'll see them enlarge. I hope you can see the information about the 2 brothers, Thomas Drayton and Percival Drayton. We all know from our school days about families being divided during the Civil War. He's an example. Thomas was a Confederate in charge of Ft. Walker and Ft Beauregard, while his brother Percival stayed in the Union and was the Commander of The USS Pocahontas, which was the ship that fired on Ft. Walker and Ft. Beauregard.
Mitchellville was a self governing Black Community that was located at the North end of the Island. It was far more than a refugee camp. At the north end of the Island you see lots of signs stating it's part of the Gullah Geechee Corridor. The Gullah Geechee are descendants of slaves. The Corridor was established as a Federal National Heritage Area that runs from just north of Wilmington to as far south as St. Johns County, Florida on the cost.
The exhibit is free and well worth the time. There is much to learn, and more to do on the island then just enjoying beach time. Add this stop to your vacation itinerary.
There are guided tours of The Gullah area's as well.
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