Cumberland Island NS News Release: Celebrate the holidays with Cumberland Island National Seashore

Cumberland Island National Seashore News Release
December 4, 2012

For Immediate Release

Maggie Tyler, 912-882-4336 ext. 257

 

Celebrate the holidays with Cumberland Island National Seashore

St Marys, Ga—Cumberland Island National Seashore is a great place to spend the holidays and today the Seashore updated its holiday schedule and public events.  With special events and tours at Plum Orchard, in downtown St. Marys, and around the Seashore there is something for everyone this holiday season.

Starting the first week of December and lasting through February the ferry to Cumberland Island will run five days a week, Thursday through Monday.  The Seashore including facilities located in downtown St. Marys is still open to private boaters, kayakers and campers seven days a week but the Sea Camp Ranger Station on Cumberland Island will not be staffed on a regular basis Tuesdays and Wednesdays from December through February.  The popular Lands and Legacies tours will also not run on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during this time.  All Cumberland Island National Seashore offices and visitor facilities will be closed on December 25, 2012.

Cumberland Island National Seashore’s Museum will be open on December 8, 2012 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. as a part of the St. Marys Tour Our Town open house.  The Museum is free and is located on Osborne St. in downtown St. Marys.

Come see Plum Orchard dressed in its holiday finest.  Staff and volunteers will be dressed in period Edwardian costume as they lead tours through Plum Orchard sharing the tales of Plum Orchard, Cumberland Island, and Christmas past.  The exciting Plum Orchard Christmas House Tour will occur on December 9, 2012. Reservations are limited for the afternoon ferry excursion to Plum Orchard.  Plum Orchard Christmas ferry tickets are an additional $6.00 for the round trip.  Visitors should make reservations by calling the ferry office at 912-882-4335 and asking for the for the 11:45 a.m. ferry; this trip will take all afternoon.

Want to take Cumberland Island National Seashore home with you for the holidays?  Stop in to the visitor center located at 113 St. Marys Street, St Marys, GA. and pick up a Christmas ornament.  The Eastern National bookstore, a cooperator of Cumberland Island National Seashore sells several ornaments to help commemorate your trip to Cumberland Island.  A series of three ornaments focuses on the historic buildings of Cumberland Island including the First African Baptist Church and beautiful glass ornaments highlight the natural side of Cumberland, including our endangered sea turtles.  “Our hope is visitors will buy one of these beautiful ornaments to remember their time on Cumberland and in turn, their purchase will help support educational programs we promote throughout the year” said Seashore Superintendent Fred Boyles.

Cumberland Island is the largest barrier island off the coast of Georgia, encompassing more than 36,000 acres of maritime forests, salt marsh and beaches.  The island is also home to over 9,800 acres of congressionally designated Wilderness.  The island’s natural and cultural resources provide a rich and diverse habitat for wildlife and offer a glimpse into the long history of coastal Georgia.  The Seashore is accessible by foot-only, passenger ferry from the historic community of St. Marys, Georgia and is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.

 

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