Gullah Geechee Community Preservation on Sapelo Island
Gullah Geechee community preservation on Sapelo Island, Georgia, is at the forefront as residents fight to protect their historic land and culture from outside developers. The families of Hogg Hummock, the island’s only remaining Gullah Geechee settlement, recently held a citizen referendum—the second of its kind in Georgia history—blocking a zoning amendment that would have allowed larger homes and increased development.
For generations, families like the Grovners have lived on the island. Ire Gene Grovner, 70, pointed to his collard greens and chickens, noting, “If you ain’t lazy, you can live good here.” He gestures toward the modest homes of family members spanning nine generations, highlighting the deep roots the community has maintained despite development pressures.
Historic Roots and Cultural Significance
The Gullah Geechee people are descendants of enslaved West Africans who worked on plantations from North Carolina to Florida. Freed Black families were given land on Hogg Hummock after emancipation, partly because it was marshy and considered undesirable by outsiders. Today, Sapelo Island is the only remaining Gullah Geechee sea island community in Georgia.
These families preserve cultural traditions, sustainable farming, and a deep connection to the land. The island’s marshlands also play a vital ecological role, supporting marsh grass and other species essential to the coastal ecosystem.
The Referendum: Fighting Development
The referendum aimed to block a zoning amendment that would increase maximum residential square footage from 1,400 to 3,000, potentially opening the door to developers and higher taxes. Nearly 85% of voters opposed the change, signaling strong local support for preservation.
Residents warn that larger homes could displace the Gullah Geechee community, threaten cultural continuity, and increase the island’s carbon footprint. Samuel, a trucker with family ties to Hogg Hummock, said, “They treat you like family. They take you in.”
Legal challenges have marked the fight. Residents overcame state-level disputes to secure the referendum, demonstrating how communities can assert power to protect heritage and local governance.
Preserving the Future for Generations
Despite the victory, the immediate future remains uncertain. McIntosh County now has “no zoning,” leaving the door open for potential development. Legal battles are likely to continue, as attorneys for Hogg Hummock residents prepare to challenge any moves that threaten their land.
Ire Gene Grovner summed up the community’s determination: “I ain’t planning on goin’ nowhere.” Families like the Grovners are committed to ensuring that the Gullah Geechee heritage on Sapelo Island survives for future generations.
Why Gullah Geechee Community Preservation Matters
Protecting Hogg Hummock preserves not only homes but also a unique cultural and ecological legacy. The referendum highlights how small, dedicated communities can influence local policy, safeguard heritage, and resist development pressures that threaten both people and the environment.
As development pressures continue across coastal Georgia, Sapelo Island serves as a model for balancing community preservation, environmental stewardship, and cultural heritage.
