History

This museum tells the cultural story of a vibrant Gullah/Geechee community founded in 1890 by freed slaves, many from Ossabaw & Skidaway Islands. Here descendants of slaves brought from Western Africa to work the indigo and cotton plantations on Georgia's Sea Islands were first able to purchase their own land and build their own community. The Gullah cultural language, religion, foodways, and stories remained strong through this time mostly due to the decades long isolation of this community through limited access by small boats on creeks or footpaths. Residents are direct descendants of the original freed slaves who settled along Moon River over 100 years ago. With the property continuing to be passed down generation to generation, it is now believed to be the largest African-American owned waterfront property on the East Coast.

The museum is located in the old buildings of the former A.S. Varn & Son Oyster and Crab Factory, which was the primary employer of the Pin Point residents, operating 1926-1985. The property was purchased in 2008-2009 by a privately funded company, stabilized, and developed as Pin Point Heritage Museum, owned & operated by Pin Point Heritage Museum, LLC.

Pin Point Heritage Museum, LLC approached Coastal Heritage Society to manage the museum on a year-to-year contract in 2012 and the museum opened to the public on Labor Day weekend. The site is currently open 3 days each week to the public in addition to booked group programs and special events. Pin Point Heritage Museum's successful annual event is called Art & Oysters, which focuses on arts related to the lowcountry of Georgia.