Where Stories Come Alive
As William Faulkner famously said, “the past is not dead. It’s not even past.” History is alive and well in Richmond Hill. The work of the Richmond Hill Historical Society and its Museum ensures that the past comes to life, telling the stories of the people and events that made our vibrant city what it has become.
Artifacts found at Seven-Mile Bend attest to the presence here of the Guale (pronounced wall-ee) people, the first
Native Americans that European explorers encountered in the area. The Guale (or perhaps the later tribal inhabitants
the Chocktaw or Creeks) named the Ogeechee River, which means “seeing far away.”
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, rice cultivation was more of a “king” than cotton in the coastal region. The Historical Society preserves the stories of the enslaved Africans who worked the rice fields, including the Gullah culture and language.
The exciting story of Ellen and William Craft is one of the stories tied to Bryan County. Born into slavery near Macon, Ga., the Crafts escaped and made their way to England. Following the Civil War, they returned to Bryan County and acquired Woodville Plantation, where they established the Woodville Cooperative Farm School.
No history of Richmond Hill would be complete without including automaker Henry Ford. He and his wife made Richmond Hill their southern home and contributed greatly to the community. (See the October/November 2023 blog for details of his involvement here.)
In addition to operating the museum and offering educational lectures and programs, the Historical Society shares oral histories, taken from Bryan County residents, on its website. This connection of past and present is the foundation of what the society offers to the community. The staff and board of this nonprofit understand that knowing the rich history of the area is key to keeping Richmond Hill on a forward footing.
Everyone is encouraged to visit the museum at 11460 Ford Ave. in Richmond Hill Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 a.m.
to 4:00 p.m. Exhibits, photographs, and historical interpretations guide visitors into the past and tell of the people
and culture of Richmond Hill and Bryan County. Tours of the area are scheduled regularly – check with museum staff for dates.
You can support the Historical Society by purchasing a brick in its Pathways to History. Your tax-deductible contribution helps to tell the world about Richmond Hill and its important stories.
Learn more at richmondhillhistoricalsociety.com and visitrichmondhill.com