It is that time of year when we have the opportunity to look
back and report on the happenings and accomplishments of your society in the
community of Darien and McIntosh County. Everyone in LAHS feels a deep
commitment to the community as a whole as well as the preservation of the
historical heritage of Coastal Georgia. In order to continue this rich tradition
of community involvement, we request that you renew your membership as soon as
possible and think of enrolling a member of your family or a friend who does not
live in the area so that they can keep up with our historical heritage through
our regular newsletter.
The publication of the McIntosh County Cemetery book went
into its second printing and has proven to be an invaluable resource in
genealogical research. We still have a few copies left in addition to other
books listed on the enclosed list of LAHS Historical Publications.
The society installed a marker (the 2nd within 18 months) on
the grounds of the Darien City Hall that describes the Burning of Darien in
1863. We anticipate installing other historical markers in the coming year.
LAHS has become committed to Habitat for Humanity a worthy
community building cause. Many members gave their time and energy to the
painting of the latest house. We will be doing this again in the coming year.
LAHS continues the commitment to scholarship recipient, Jason
M. Frawley. Jason continues his graduate history studies at Georgia Southern
University.
LAHS remains dedicated to the continued success of Fort King
George through financial support as well as joint historical program
participation. As part of this year’s "Scottish Heritage Days" celebration, the
March program featured Dr. Anthony W. Parker from the University of Dundee in
Scotland. Dr. Parker discussed his book," Scottish Highlanders in Colonial
Georgia: the recruitment, emigration, and settlement at Darien."
As a part of our regular agenda, our annual summer picnic was
on the grounds of Fort King George. We had exclusive use of the new Barracks
facility for the picnic. The annual Christmas holiday party was celebrated at
Belvedere Island Plantation.
Field trips this past year included a dinner tour of historic
Fort Jackson in Savannah and an outing to Cumberland Island to tour the historic
ruins of Dungeness, the Carnegie family home at the southern end of the island.
The upcoming trip this fall will be a Ghost Tour of Laurel Grove Cemetery in
Savannah. This will occur on the evening of November 2nd.
This past year William G. Haynes, Jr., Director Emeritus, one
of the founder of LAHS, passed away. Malcolm Bell, a Lifetime Member and
longtime supporter of LAHS, passed away. Lillian Schaitberger, one of the
original members of the Board of Directors, is still very active in the society
and served on the April hospitality committee. Buddy Sullivan, our past
president and local Coastal Georgia historian was elected to the position of
Director Emeritus of LAHS.
It is through the spirit of volunteers that LAHS is able to
achieve our dual mission of preserving our historical heritage as well as active
community involvement. The officers and Board of Directors want to personally
thank the Committee Chairman and all the members of their committees for making
the past year a successful one.
It has been my pleasure to serve as the President of the
Lower Altamaha Historical Society over the past two years and look forward to
working with this fine organization in the future.
Please complete the enclosed membership renewal as soon as
you can because it’s through your membership that we are able to continue our
dedication to the community and our historical heritage.
Thank you,
Ed Meyer