Gullah-Geechee life to be interpreted by National Park Service

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - The National Park Service is proposing setting up three centers to interpret Gullah-Geechee life for visitors. <br> <br> The agency -- which has been studying the culture for two years -- is holding seven public meetings on the proposals. They will present the proposal to Congress next year. <br> <br> The Gullah-Geechee culture originated with West African Slaves and remained intact with their descendants because of the isolation of the islands which are on the coasts of South Carolina, Georgia and northern Florida. <br> <br> Known as Geechee in Florida and Georgia and Gullah in the Carolinas, researchers say there are close similarities in the cultures of the sea island people and people in Sierra Leone. <br> <br> According to a study, the centers could be located in McClellanville and at the Penn Center on St. Helena Island in South Carolina, as well as in McIntosh County, Georgia, near the Geechee communities of Hog Hammock and Seabrook Village. <br> <br> Another possibility suggests the National Park Service create interpretive centers in existing buildings owned by other national, state and local historical agencies.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/10/201848