Cultural Heritage Corridor in Col. Co.

Posted by Bettina on August 26, 2009

 

Centuries ago the swampy land along the southeastern North Carolina coast became home to West African slaves brought here to turn marshy fields into thriving rice plantations.  Along with knowledge of how to grow the crop, they brought language, food traditions and craftsmanship that strongly connected them in this foreign land. These people called themselves Gullahs or Geechees.

 

Today, however, few residents in our area have any knowledge of this culture.  But the National Park Service is trying to change that.  Designated by Congress in 2006, the Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor extends 40 miles inland from Wilmington, NC to Jacksonville, Fl.  In North Carolina, the corridor includes New Hanover County, Brunswick County, and the majority of Columbus County and was created in hopes of bringing recognition to the area’s Gullah roots and preserving the endangered African history. 

 

Along the corridor, sites will be designated as historically significant based on their representation of the Gullah culture.  The difficulty lies in identifying the sites.  If you have information on Columbus County sites that represent the Gullah culture, please contact Jennifer Long, Columbus County Tourism Director at 910-653-2818.