Sept. 2, 2020 • Volume 9, Issue 9 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
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Task force seeks to enhance Gullah life, preserve culture By Dean Rowland CONTRIBUTOR
The Gullah-Geechee Land and Cultural Preservation Task Force on Hilton Head, founded in 2017, has a herculean task of identifying and assisting in the preservation of the historic culture. Its broad scope of issues includes native islander heirs property, taxes and land use, infrastructure to initiate and sustain an improved quality of life, and workshops and seminars for ongoing educational programs. It’s a mission is of local, regional and national importance, because the enslaved West Africans were brought to the Sea Islands in South Carolina and Georgia in the late 1600s to work the farms. The imprint of the Gullah community was altered when the first bridge connecting the mainland with Hilton Head was built in 1956. It posed an alarming
threat to the native islander population and their way of life, because of the influx of non-Gullah residents and land developers. “We’re still facing the same issues,” said Lavon Stevens, chairman of the task force since its inception. “We’re still trying to bring awareness. “I see the task force as being a way to build some bridges and mend some fences,” said the Savanah native and longtime island resident. “Whether we admit it or not, there is a deep divide between the Gullah and government, so to speak. I see this as an opportunity for the town to really show they do care about this Gullah-Geechee culture and preserve its culture.” Stevens said he is hopeful the task force can make amendment recommendations to the Land Management Ordinance sub-
Please see GULLAH on page 12A
DEAN ROWLAND
The William Simmons, located on Gumtree Road in the Gullah community, is one of few surviving structures from the days before Hilton Head Island was developed. “The Little House” is part of the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island.
Highway, bridge project will impact more than rush hour By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
An aging bridge, increasing traffic load, and frequent vehicle accidents are the roots of a proposal to replace,
Island connections reach across country 24A
repair, widen and perhaps redirect the route of Highway 278 from Moss Creek Drive in Greater Bluffton, just before the Karl Bowers Bridge that crosses Mackay Creek, to the intersection of Wild Horse and Spanish
Wells roads, short of the Cross Island Parkway interchange on Hilton Head Island. The financial cost is estimated at $240 million. On Aug. 11, the South Carolina State Transportation Infra-
structure Bank approved Beaufort County’s request for a $120 million grant to help pay for the replacement of the bridges. The rest of the funding
Large format scanner helps preserve history 28A
Palmetto Electric annual meeting set for Oct. 10 31A
Thursday Art Market comes to Sea Pines Center 33A
Please see HIGHWAY on page 14A
Sunny Side Up 3A • Editorial 4A • Culture 32A • Arts & Entertainment 33A • Business 37A • Legal 39A • Health 40A • Wellness 42A • Home 45A • Classifieds 47A