Coastal Georgia Historical Society has received numerous state and national recognitions over the years. Confirmation of the Society’s commitment to professional excellence came in 1991, when the Society received accreditation from the American Association (later Alliance) of Museums. This is the highest honor a museum can receive and requires a comprehensive process of self-study, followed by on-site peer review. The organization was re-accredited in 2012 for a term of 15 years. The Society is one of only 14 AAM-accredited museums in Georgia.
Awards have included the 2007 Georgia Governor’s Award in the Humanities honoring the Society for building community, character, and citizenship through humanities education over several decades. The Maritime Center at the Historic St. Simons Coast Guard Station won two awards in 2007: an Award of Excellence from the American Association for State and Local History and an Excellence in Rehabilitation Award from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. In 2014, the restoration of the St. Simons Lighthouse Keepers’ Dwelling won an Excellence in Restoration Award from the Georgia Trust. In 2019, the Society won the Shared Vision Award for the World War II Home Front Museum at the Golden Isles Hospitality Celebration. This event recognizes those who go above and beyond and significantly influence and impact the Golden Isles hospitality industry and community as a whole. The Shared Vision Award honors an individual or group who has not only adopted the community’s shared vision statement, but fully embodies that vision in accomplishing collective area success (pictured above). In 2021, the Society was honored as Affiliate Chapter of the Year by Georgia Historical Society. In 2024, the Society’s Preservation Campaign won the Excellence in Stewardship Award from the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation. The award “recognizes those who ensure the preservation of historic properties through long-term care and maintenance, stabilization, protection or continuous family ownership.”
The St. Simons Lighthouse turned 150 on September 1, 2022. To commemorate this special occasion, a light show was projected onto the tower. Jacksonville-based design and production agency, Castano Group, created Legacy of Light which attracted thousands of people for the birthday celebration. Castano submitted Legacy of Light to the 2023 American Advertising Awards at the regional level, where it won three gold awards in the categories of Event, Animation, Special Effects or Motion Graphics, and Computer Generated Imagery. At the state level, the show won two gold awards for Event and Computer Generated Imagery, one silver for Animation, Special Effects or Motion Graphics, and it was a finalist for Best of Category in the Out of Home category.
No recognition would be complete without acknowledging those who support our mission to preserve our area’s history. These include our generous sponsors, members, Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, families, and members of the public who entrust to us their stories, artifacts, and family records.
