NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Foundation Document Overview Cumberland Island National Seashore Georgia Contact Information For more information about the Cumberland Island National Seashore Foundation Document, contact: [email protected] or 1-912-882-4336 x226 or write to: Superintendent, Cumberland Island National Seashore, 101 Wheeler Street, Saint Marys, GA 31558 Purpose Significance Significance statements express why Cumberland Island National Seashore resources and values are important enough to merit national park unit designation. Statements of significance describe why an area is important within a global, national, regional, and systemwide context. These statements are linked to the purpose of the park unit, and are supported by data, research, and consensus. Significance statements describe the distinctive nature of the park and inform management decisions, focusing efforts on preserving and protecting the most important resources and values of the park unit. • Cumberland Island National Seashore is one of the Atlantic Coast’s most ecologically diverse barrier islands, where local variations in environmental conditions create extensive and unique communities across the island; from the beach and dune system on the east, through the interdune, freshwater wetland, and upland forest habitats in the interior, to the salt marsh on the west. • Cumberland Island National Seashore contains a rich concentration of cultural resources that recount 4,000 years of human habitation and include a remarkable diversity of ethnic and social backgrounds. These pieces of the past— archeological features, landscapes, architecture, artifact collections, people—cast a compelling backdrop to the island that draws visitors into the stories of this remote place. CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL • With almost 18 miles of pristine beach and one of the SEASHORE maintains the primitive, largest oak maritime forests remaining in the United States, undeveloped character of one of the Cumberland Island provides an unparalleled visitor experience. largest and most ecologically diverse barrier islands on the Atlantic coast, • Cumberland Island National Seashore protects the largest while preserving scenic, scientific, designated wilderness area on an East Coast barrier island. and historical values and providing • Cumberland Island National Seashore’s physical isolation outstanding opportunities for outdoor provides visitors opportunities to experience outdoor recreation and solitude. recreation in an uncrowded, undeveloped setting. Moreover, this isolation helps to preserve and protect the island’s fragile natural and cultural resources. Fundamental Resources and Values Interpretive Themes Fundamental resources and values are those features, systems, Interpretive themes are often described as the key stories processes, experiences, stories, scenes, sounds, smells, or or concepts that visitors should understand after visiting a other attributes determined to merit primary consideration park— they define the most important ideas or concepts during planning and management processes because they are communicated to visitors about a park unit. Themes essential to achieving the purpose of the park and maintaining are derived from — and should reflect — park purpose, its significance. significance, resources, and values. The set of interpretive themes is complete when it provides the structure necessary • National register archeological districts and other for park staff to develop opportunities for visitors to explore significant archeological resources. and relate to all of the park significances and fundamental • National register historic districts and their resources and values. contributing features. • For 4,000 years, Cumberland • Intact barrier island system driven by coastal geological Island’s landscapes and and biological processes. resources have attracted varied human groups, each of whom • Live oak maritime forests. have shaped and influenced the island in different ways, leaving • Pristine beach (scenic). behind a complex array of • Wilderness. historical and cultural legacies. • Primitive and undeveloped character. • Being an island of contrast that is both accessible and remote, • An uncrowded setting that provides opportunities for and wild and manipulated; both passive and active outdoor recreation. the seashore is one of the largest remaining intact barrier ecosystems on the east coast supporting a variety of fragile yet vibrant plant and animal communities that are always under siege from outside forces. • Cumberland Island is a modern-day sanctuary for those seeking solitude, reflection, recreation, and inspiration. • Since designation in 1972, the National Park Service has provided a vision for Cumberland Island National Seashore to preserve resources and serve the public while struggling to balance desires of various interest groups. Description Cumberland Island is approximately seven miles by boat from St. Marys, Georgia, and ST ANDREW SOUND Lighthouse (abandoned) can only be reached by water transportation. SA T ILL ER A RIV Island visitation is serviced by a ferry that runs LITTLE from the St. Marys visitor center to docks at Dungeness and Sea Camp on the island. CUMBERLAND The park’s general management plan limits Long Trail Restrooms y Point a K ISLAND E w E r (PRIVATE) R e C t visitation to approximately 300 people a day. Beach and dunes Campground a R W E S A l IV M a T t S s R Burbank I Maritime forest Primitive campsite R a Point H Recreational opportunities at Cumberland o C c Cumberland a r Wharf Ruins Salt marsh Potable water t In Island include walking and hiking, camping, Non-potable water Private/Retained- The Settlement Terrapin rights property First African Baptist Church Point Dune crossing marker Halfmoon Bluff beachcombing, swimming, wildlife viewing, Wilderness area boundary High Point D (road through High Point All roads on Cumberland N is private; use North Cut Road) seeking solitude, and visiting the park’s Island are unpaved. A L North Cut Road Bicycles are permitted ER B Wilde only on Main Road, North rness UM Area historic sites. The Cumberland Island Cut Road, and the road to C Boun da l ry Plum Orchard. i a r T Some trails are umarked. y Do not use this map for e Wilderness Area encompasses most of the l k hiking. n u B Whitney There are no lifeguards; Brickhill Bluff Lake northern half of the island. swim at your own risk. y r a d l i n a r u South Cut Trail T o ER B IV R The national seashore has the greatest diversity L e HIL CK r RI B r o e t h s Table s a Point o a C C U e M of habitats and biotic communities of any of S B l E R a L CUMBERLAND ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE A A n s N r h y o l e r D e l i l D y a t Georgia’s coastal islands. Extensive Spartina o I d a V R K n I i D ng N s x u IN Bottom T rai o l e d G l S P B p n o a n a m e l d marshes and tidal creeks cover the western r o s I Ashley T Main Road C A ra s d Pond il e s l k n i e a a a n Johnson r L l l r T i r r e shoreline, providing highly productive Pond a r e e d n T t l l b i i a K t m s W Plum Orchard w r o t u L a e Dock T C N e estuarine nursery and feeding grounds D E w OK Du O c S A CR k House Trail E for juvenile fish, shrimp, crabs, and other RI Yankee VE C CROOKED RIVER R Paradise SPUR STATE PARK O 40 invertebrates. Upland forest communities Lake Retta Willow Pon d Tra comprise a large portion of the island. Oak Hickory il C Hill I Willow T and pine dominate most mature forests and l i Pond a r N T l e A l CUMBERLAND l a saw palmetto is a common understory plant. r L a P T Private road Stafford Additionally, the island has a sizeable acreage A M Cemetery a i STAFFORD n water ISLAND of scrub/shrub habitat supporting a variety of R o l Stafford Beach i K a ra d T I N G S s plant species. t t KINGS BAY NAVAL a B Old r A P House Y SUBMARINE BASE Road l O i ld a r H T o Cumberland Island’s historic and prehistoric u s e Little Greyfield C r Beach SOUND l e l sites reflect its 4,000 years of human habitation l a r a Greyfield P that include American Indian life, Spanish (private) Drum Point missions, colonial fortresses, agricultural Island plantations, military occupation, enslaved Sea Camp Ranger Station Sea Camp Beach Dock r T r e v i R Africans, vacation retreats, African American Ice House Museum Dock Nightingale communities, remote lifestyles, maritime Trail To 95 Exit 3 No North rth Riv endeavors, and grand estates. The national er Dungeness Ruins seashore has four historic districts and two 40 Cemetery Raccoon Keys y 0 0.5 1 Kilometer r r ek e re archeological districts listed on the National F C 0 0.5 1 Mile r ch ST e a g Be MARYS en ss Register of Historic Places. They are significant Pa Mainland MARY South T S R End Museum S IVER Ponds with respect to archeology, architecture, Jetty Cumberland Island National Pelican Banks community planning, agriculture, landscape Seashore Visitor Center GEORGIA architecture, leisure/resorts, religion, and/or FLORIDA Jetty FORT CLINCH STATE PARK social/humanitarian history. AMELIA ISLAND.