Learn About the Geechee Gullah People: Black History Where to Travel

Descendants of West and Central Africa, the Geechee Gullah people were kidnapped from their homes and enslaved within the southeastern states. And for those who aren’t sure, “Gullah is the language, Geechee is the people, explains Gail, a Historical Interpreter at Pin Point Heritage Museum in Savannah. Enslaved Africans were put to work in horrific conditions on plantations. Their contributions, however, were integral to the growth of the South. The expansion of Sea Island cotton, indigo, and rice plantations was a significant benefit to the economy. The Gullah Geechee people brought carried their ancestors’ traditions through the ages. They even created a new language which is currently a course offering – to preserve the culture – at Harvard. If you’re looking to learn more and expand your knowledge, there are several places to travel to learn about the Geechee Gullah people. 

The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor

It’s difficult to fathom the depth and breadth of how far the Geechee Gullah influence extends. The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a great starting point, however.

The corridor runs from Pender County in North Carolina to St. John’s County in Florida. It is designed to celebrate the contributions and historical significance of the Gullah Geechee people. Visitors can immerse themselves in the arts, crafts, folklore, music, artifacts, and history of the Gullah Geechee. Some sites along the corridor include the Charles Pinckney National Historical Site, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Monument, McLeod Plantation, Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island, and Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve. The corridor is a great place to start if you’re looking to learn more about the fascinating history of Geeche Gullah. However, there are several other places to travel to learn about the Geechee Gullah people throughout the southeast.

Here are a few to consider:

North Carolina Gullah Geechee History

Poplar Grove Plantation in Wilmington, North Carolina is a very Black History-forward former peanut and sweet potato plantation. Visitors can experience the Gullah Geechee history and a variety of additional events and activities. The Cape Fear region of North Carolina was home to much of the Gullah Geechee history in North Carolina. It has been said that the Geechee corridor extends from Jacksonville, Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida.  

South Carolina: Places to Travel to Learn About the Geechee Gullah People

Downtown Charleston is an epicenter of Geechee Gullah’s history in South Carolina. For starters, Alphonso Brown’s Gullah Tour takes visitors on a 2-hour, temperature-controlled bus ride through the streets of downtown, highlighting Gullah history. Just outside of Charleston, in Mount Pleasant, you’ll find the Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway, where you can stop to visit with and purchase baskets and other sweetgrass handiwork from Gullah Geechee descendants.

A visit further north to Brookgreen Gardens in the Murrells Inlet/Myrtle Beach area, wouldn’t be complete without taking a walk through the  Gullah Geechee Gaardin. The Gullah Guided Tour on Daufuskie Island is another great place to learn about the history of the Geechee Gullah people. The Gullah Museum in Georgetown, SC provides a variety of information to visitors. It highlights the culture, language, traditions, and lifestyle of their West African descendants. On Hilton Head, the Coastal Discovery Museum is a great place to learn more about Gullah Geechee culture and a Gullah Heritage Tour brings you up close and personal with the history of the Geechee Gullah on the Sea Islands. 

Georgia Travel Locations Highlighting Geechee Gullah

As mentioned, Savannah, GA is home to the Pin Point Heritage Museum and Georgia Southern University houses The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Center. In Riceboro, GA, the Geechee Kunda Cultural Arts Center and Museum and Cumberland Island National Seashore provide a wealth of knowledge to visitors interested in learning more about the Geechee people.  And, back in Savannah, The Negro Heritage Trail is a guided tour that takes visitors on a tour of the city from the Black perspective.

Gullah Geechee in Florida

Jacksonville, Florida has a rich Geechee Gullah history; Cosmo on East Arlington Island was at one time home for 100 years to descendants of enslaved Africans. Now, Freedom Park in Jacksonville commemorates this area as the home to years of Gullah tradition and lifestyle. Each December, St. Augustine – considered the oldest city in the United States – hosts the Gullah Geechee Heritage Festival, making this coastal town one of the important places to visit to learn about the Geechee Gullah people.

Resources for Learning More About the Gullah Geechee People

Before heading out on your epic Black History road trip, consider checking out Alphonso Brown’s book, A Gullah Guide to Charleston: Walking Through Black History. Another great read is The Green Book of South Carolina: A Guide to African American Cultural Sites. If you’re looking for a great book for middle grades and early teens, Root Magic by Eden Royce is the perfect pick.