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--A Hoyt House Day Trip-- Cumberland Island & the Carnegie Family The first barrier island of Florida, Amelia Island, lies directly below the last barrier island of Georgia, Cumberland Island. Unlike Amelia Island, you can only reach Cumberland Island by US Park Service operated ferry or by private boat. The island is a nature lovers paradise, and offers few amenities. There are no public restaurants or stores, so you must bring your own supplies, whether on a day trip or camping. Camping is limited to seven days, and a reservation is required. The ferry service runs from the lovely little town of St. Mary's, usually twice a day, except for the period October 1 - March 14 when there is no service at all on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Recently, a new ferry service has begun between Fernandina Beach and St. Mary's. Hoyt House guests can easily catch this ferry for a day trip to Cumberland. At present, the Fernandina-St Mary's service is limited to Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. This schedule may be extended later in 2009 pending US Park Service approval. Indians lived on the island as far back as 4000 years ago, with Spanish missions and British forts appearing in the 17th and 18th centuries. Largely, the island has remained sparsely populated and little developed.
Learn more about Cumberland Island National Seashore here. St. Mary's No trip to Cumberland is complete without a visit to St. Mary's, a small village that serves as the "gateway" to the island. This quaint town is very picturesque with its white picket fences, lovely river front area, and many historic sites. The town was established by the English in 1787. The Orange Hall Welcome Center and House Museum are beautiful historic properties, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is an excellent example of Greek revival architecture. The 1808 First Presbyterian Church is the second oldest in Georgia. And many other well preserved historic sites can be seen along Osborne Street. Several nice restaurants are conveniently located for a leisurely dining experience while waiting for the Fernandina ferry.
About the Inn
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The original Dungeness was build
by the widow of Nathaniel Greene around 1783. The site was completely
rebuilt in the 1880's by Thomas Carnegie, brother of Andrew Carnegie, for
his wife Lucy Coleman Carnegie and their 9 children. In 1886 Thomas
died of pneumonia, leaving Dungeness to his wife who continued to build
the mansion. She lived there until 1915. Following her death, the property
was only lightly used, and by 1950 it had become impractical to maintain
and the mansion was literally abandoned. In 1959 vandals set fire to the
main building, and what remains, even today, are the ruins of a once
magnificent Gilded Age residence. In 1971 the property, along with
Plum Orchard and some 4000 acres of land, were donated to the