For over 50 years, the Society has been a faithful steward of the historic collections and buildings entrusted to our care, including the St. Simons Lighthouse and Keeper’s Dwelling and the Historic Coast Guard Station at East Beach, now home to the World War II Home Front Museum. In recognition of their architectural and historical significance, both sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings are operated as two of only a few history museums in the state accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The care of these iconic symbols of the Golden Isles reflects the priority that we place on excellence in historic preservation.
In 2023, the Society and its supporters established a dedicated Preservation Fund which will ensure that resources are permanently available to complete essential work on the historic buildings. Our heartfelt thanks to the donors listed below. Thanks to you the Lighthouse and Home Front Museum will continue to stand as unique landmarks of Coastal Georgia that connect thousands of people to our area’s rich history each year.
Protecting these structures is central to our mission. All projects undertaken by the Society adhere to the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and are guided by detailed plans. Regular inspections will ensure timely maintenance and protection of the original fabric of the buildings. The thumbnails below detail projects completed since 2020. New projects will be added as they are completed.
In 2014, the Society undertook a major restoration of the Keeper’s Dwelling, which included installation of new exhibits. We invite you view the video below featuring the progress of the work over the course of several months.