Jekyll Island's National Landmark Historic District present day prominence as a historical vacation destination was prefaced by an era of unrivaled status and prestige. Beginning in 1886 and continuing for over four gilded decades, Jekyll Island was the exclusive domain of the renowned Jekyll Island Club - the winter retreat for some of America's most elite families, and is now one of the largest, ongoing restoration projects in the U.S.

Jekyll Island History

Throughout its history, Jekyll Island is a place where people have imagined an alternative. People have come here to be different, and they still do. From Native Americans, to English colonists, to French privateers, to the members of the Jekyll Island Club - people have imagined Jekyll Island as a place where dreams can be built.

The Island's present day prominence as a beloved vacation destination was prefaced by an era of unrivaled status and prestige. Beginning in 1886 and continuing for over four gilded decades, the Island was the exclusive domain of the renowned Jekyll Island Club - the winter retreat for some of America's most elite families.

Today, the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District is a 240-acre, riverfront compound and one of the largest, ongoing restoration projects in the southeastern United States.




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People began visiting Jekyll Island 4,500 years ago: When the first French and Spanish explorers arrived on Jekyll Island in the mid-1500s they found it already occupied by Native Americans, first by the Timucua and later by the Guale. Archaeological evidence further suggests that Native Americans first began using Jekyll Island as a seasonal retreat about 2,500 BC.
(Use the timeline to learn about the landmark moments in Jekyll Island History)

The Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road is your port of entry to the extraordinary past of the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District.

It contains exhibits drawn from the museum’s collection of over 7,000 historic photographs showcasing the island’s unique heritage. It houses artifacts from the Jekyll Island Club Era and from the archaeological research conducted on the island’s Native American and Colonial past. It contains a gift shop full of reproduction memorabilia and island souvenirs.

It also provides tours of the island and its historic district. From the Jekyll Island Museum you can embark on a journey of discovery, led by professional guides who present interpretive tours that are adventures into a bygone era...

Our Mission

The mission of the Jekyll Island Museum is to preserve, restore, reconstruct, and interpret the historic and prehistoric structures and sites on Jekyll Island with particular, but not exclusive, emphasis on the period and activities of the Jekyll Island Club and its members.

Opening Hours

The Jekyll Island Museum is open daily from 9:00 am-5:00 pm, except holidays. Tour availability and pricing subject to change. For more information on pricing and tour availability or to make reservations, please call the Jekyll Island Museum.

The Jekyll Island Museum
100 Stable Road
Jekyll Island, GA 31527
Tel : (912) 635-4036

The Jekyll Island Museum presents exhibits daily, except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. These exhibits are based on the museum’s extensive photograph collection and unique artifacts. They are housed in the Jekyll Island Club Stables on Stable Road and are open to the public free of charge.

Additional exhibits are also present in each of the museum’s historic house touring properties. These exhibit spaces are accessible on a variety of tours, which vary seasonally. Tours depart from the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road, (912) 635-4036.

"...Secure an Escape..."

A History of Jekyll Island
This exhibit highlights the Jekyll Island Club Era and Historic Preservation work in the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District.

Jekyll Island Museum
100 Stable Road
(912) 635-4036

"...the Finest Property on the Sea Coast"

An Exploration of Jekyll Island’s Environment, History and Archaeology.
This exhibit highlights the natural environment, a major influence on the historical development of the island, and relates the story of Jekyll Island’s prehistoric and colonial past.

Jekyll Island Museum
100 Stable Road
(912) 635-4036

The Goodyear Cottage

The Goodyear Cottage houses the Jekyll Island Arts Association, a gift shop and a free monthly art exhibit open from noon to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Mistletoe Cottage

Showcases the work of nationally-renowned Jekyll Island Sculptor Rosario Fiore. Exhibit hours are Saturday & Sunday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m

History comes alive in exploring the District's grounds and historic structures. Adding to the experience are guided tours, exhibits, shops, restaurants and Jekyll Island's stunning, natural beauty. Tram tours of the Historic District begin at the Jekyll Island Museum on Stable Road. Here, enjoy museum exhibits that reveal the fascinating story of Jekyll Island- from its earliest inhabitants, across its fabled Club Era, to its wondrous restoration programs today.

Download the 2008 Tour Schedule

Passport to the Century
Travel into the past. Hear the remarkable story of the American Gilded Era and enter two restored cottages filled with rich tales and elegant furnishings.

Reclaiming Past Glories
Tour the last Jekyll Island Club Cottage to be preserved. Hear about the family that resided in this vacation retreat and discover the steps required to preserve the structure. Don't miss this sneak peak inside a cottage that is only open to the pubic in honor of Historic Preservation Month!

In the Service of Others
Hundreds of working class men, women, and children were needed to make this life of luxury possible. Explore the hidden world of the hired help at this upscale turn-of-the-century resort.

Hands on History
Embark on a guided learning adventure for family fun! Different programs may include architectural adventures, colonial kids' games, simulated archaeology excavations, old-fashioned bread and butter making, young inventors' workshops, bridge building challenges and more! Offerings vary by day and time, call for details.

Folklore, Rumor & Myth
Pass through the old Landmark District at twilight and enter one of the cottages for spine-tingling tales that will draw you back through the centuries.

The Holidays in History

The cottages of the historic district are decorated for the season! Imagine Christmas through the ages as you venture inside the cottages of Jekyll Island's National Historic Landmark District and experience the holidays from the Victorian Era to the Jazz Age.

Public Tours

Student centered Tours

Specialty Tours

The Jekyll Island Museum preserves papers, photographs and objects documenting the history of Jekyll Island, with particular but not exclusive emphasis on the Jekyll Island Club Era, 1886-1947. These records and objects are available for research by the public by appointment, (912) 635-4092.

The Museum is currently accepting applications for a Project Archivist to assist with its collections management needs. Click here for more information.

Historic Preservation & Archeology

Historic Preservation

The Jekyll Island Museum created its Historic Preservation Department in 1986.

In the 20 years of its existence, 29 of the island’s 33 historic structures have been restored. Notable recent projects include the Horton House Restoration, a Save America’s Treasures project, and the restoration of the Maitland Armstrong stained glass window located above the altar in Faith Chapel.

Current efforts focus on the ongoing preservation of Hollybourne Cottage, the stabilization of the Jekyll Island Wharf Pavilion, and an adaptive reuse project to turn the 1903 Power Plant into the home of the Georgia Sea Turtle Center.

Maintenance in the historic district is continual, and visitors can often see staff repairing shutters, restoring porches, or painting cottages.

Every year, a select number of Jekyll Island Museum Interns have special opportunities to participate in the hands-on preservation of the buildings and collections within the Jekyll Island Club National Historic Landmark District. Click here for more information about the museum's 2007 Summer Internship Opportunities in Museum Studies and Historic Preservation.

Archaeology

The Jekyll Island Museum began actively managing the archaeological resources of the island in the 1970s. Since that time, the museum has conducted archaeological surveys, site testing, and research projects on Jekyll Island’s historic and prehistoric resources.

Projects have particularly focused on the Horton House Historic Site, Jekyll Island Club Service Buildings, and the Pulitzer Cottage porte-cochere. Continuing archaeological research is planned and will focus on the Horton House Historic Site as well as the Pulitzer Cottage Site.

The Friends of Historic Jekyll Island
The FOHJI website includes information about artists Rosario & Florence Fiore and their famous sculpture and artwork, as well as information on donating and volunteering in the gallery at the beautiful Mistletoe Cottage on Jekyll Island, Georgia.

Atlanta History Center, Kenan Research Center

Digital Library of Georgia

The American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works

The National Institute for Conservation

The Official Site of the Jekyll Estate

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