Road Scholar : Home
A Southern Coastal Trilogy: Charleston, Savannah and Jekyll Island

Program Number: 20644RJ
Start and End Dates:
4/7/2013 - 4/17/2013; 9/22/2013 - 10/2/2013; 10/6/2013 - 10/16/2013;
Duration: 10 nights
Location: Charleston, South Carolina
Price starting at: $2,198.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: On the Road Activity Level: t (see description)
Meals: 20; 10 Breakfasts, 4 Lunches, 6 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Explore the historic jewels of Charleston, Savannah and Jekyll Island on a foray into history, culture and low country cuisine. Traverse 300-year-old Charleston from the French Quarter to Fort Sumter and experience plantation life at the Middleton and Magnolia plantations. Enjoy Southern charm, city squares and local cuisine in Savannah, and encounter the likes of Morgan, Rockefeller and Vanderbilt during a stay at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.




Highlights

• In Charleston, visit the Edmondston-Alston and Nathaniel Russell homes and enjoy presentations on sweet grass basket weaving and Gullah culture.
• Spend the day in Beaufort, S.C., a seaside village whose antebellum homes appear in numerous films.
• Cross the bridge from Jekyll Island to St. Simons to explore charming Christ Church and the Avenue of Oaks.



Activity Particulars

Walking up to one mile on varied terrain.



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Date Specific Information

4-7-2013, 9-22-2013, 10-6-2013

Enjoy the latest in hearing technology — listening devices — on this date.



Itinerary Summary

Arrival Charleston, S.C., 4 nights; coach to Savannah, Ga., 3 nights; coach to Jekyll Island, 3 nights; departure.



Coordinated by Center for Educational Adventure.




Charleston (South Carolina)

Founded in 1670, Charleston is an old colonial city brimming with museums and historical attractions. In its early days, it was a cosmopolitan trading center whose wealth is on display today in the well-preserved architecture and cultural institutions. Picturesque tree-lined streets and a lovely coastline make it a tourist Mecca.
Accommodations
Charleston: Historic, recently renovated Mills House Hotel, the only hotel on Charleston’s prestigious Museum Mile. Savannah: Beautifully appointed hotel in the historic district. Jekyll Island: The Jekyll Island Club Hotel, a four-star resort and National Historic Landmark.

Road Scholar Instructors
These instructors are participating on at least one date of this program. Please note that changes may occur.
Tom Murray
Tom Murray is a graduate of San Jose State University but is a Southerner by choice, having spent more than 35 years in the South absorbing the culture, customs and history of the region. Tom specializes in coastal history with an emphasis on the sea islands of Georgia. Few people know and love beautiful Cumberland and Amelia islands better than Tom. He has spent 15 years lecturing and leading Road Scholar groups to sites from the mountains to the sea.
 
Ruth Miller
Ruth Miller, a graduate of Duke University, has lived all over America and journeyed throughout the world. As a Charleston historian and excursion leader, she enjoys tying local history into the American story and worldwide events. Ruth is the author and co-author of numerous books, including “Charleston Charlie — A Family Activity Book for Kids of All Ages,” “Touring the Tombstones,” and “The Angel Oak Story.” She is a member of the South Carolina Historical Society and the National Trust.
 
Ann Wilson
A resident of St. Simons Island, Georgia, Ann Marie Wilson has been leading Road Scholar groups for the last 10 years. Acquiring degrees in biology, forestry and secondary education while attending Clemson and Coastal Carolina Universities gave Ann Marie the perfect background for her birding and naturalist excursions. She owns and operates Driftwood Education Center, a residential science and environmental education center for youth from all over the Southeast.
 
Cindy Doehring
Having grown up on St. Simons Island, Cindy Doehring is quite knowledgeable of the island and the surrounding area. She holds a degree in kindergarten-9th grade education, has taught at the elementary and middle school levels and worked with the County Superintendent of Schools for eight years. Cindy served as the director of the Elderhostel Program at “Epworth by the Sea” for 16 years, and today enjoys leading groups on field trips around the island and other places of historical interest.
 
Mickey Dodge
Mickey Dodge is a graduate of Emory University in Atlanta who has worked managing fund raising events for the Cancer Society and several political candidates. She was co-founder and president of Convention Concepts, a special events management service. Mickey also served as the docent at the Georgia Governor’s mansion and at the Atlanta History Center Tully Smith Farm. She moved to Savannah where has participated in local theater groups and leads educational excursions throughout the city.
 
Meals and Lodgings
   The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
  Charleston, South Carolina 4 nights
   Country Inn & Suites
  Savannah, Georgia 3 nights
   Jekyll Island Club Hotel
  Jekyll Island, Georgia 3 nights
 The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Type: Full Service Hotel
  Description: The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel is a gem among historic Charleston hotels. Blending opulent accommodations, historic ambiance and modern convenience, our luxury Charleston hotel treats you to true southern hospitality, the same hospitality we showed our first guest over 150 years ago. With our recent multi-million dollar restoration, our historic Charleston hotel has recaptured its original splendor, and we're eager to share it with you. Located in the heart of Charleston, The Mills House is the only hotel included in the city's prestigious Museum Mile, and there's no shortage of lively Charleston attractions nearby: Dock Street Theatre (0.0 mile) King Street Antique District (0.0 mile) The Market Place (0.0 mile) Waterfront Park (0.0 mile) College of Charleston (0.5 mile) South Carolina Aquarium (0.5 mile) The Battery/Historic District (0.5 mile) After a day amidst the storied sights of downtown, return to the Mills House where we stand apart from other Charleston, SC luxury hotels by combining a lush, Victorian atmosphere with modern appeal. From our thoughtfully-appointed Charleston, SC accommodations to state-of-the-art meeting space and exquisite service, we continue to exceed our legendary reputation. History and luxury await! Join us at The Mills House Hotel, a Conde' Nast Traveler Gold List Hotel, and stroll the halls once walked by General Robert E. Lee and President Theodore Roosevelt.
  Contact info: 115 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401 USA
phone: 843-577-2400
web: www.millshouse.com
  Room amenities: 2 phones with voicemail Bathtub Cable/Satellite color TV Coffee and tea makers Connecting rooms Crib upon request Free morning newspaper delivered to room Hair dryers High speed Internet access In-room pay-per-view movies Iron/board Nightly turndown service Private bathroom Rollaway bed/cot Work desk with lamp
  Facility amenities: Housekeeping & Laundry Services Daily Housekeeping Dry Cleaning Pickup/Laundry Same Day Dry Cleaning Concierge Desk to help w/tour plans Entertainment & Recreation Outdoor Pool Hotel Shops Newsstand Gift Shop Business Services Copying E-mail & Internet Facsimile PC available Printer High Speed Internet Access Public Space Data Services Wireless Data Connection Miscellaneous Concierge Services Ice Machine Safety Deposit Box available at Front Desk A/C Public Areas Dedicated Lounge (or 24 Hour Lounge) Porter/Bellman Fitness Center Outdoor Pool Parking Daily Self Parking Fee: $20.00 (USD) Valet Parking Available: $22.00 (USD) County operated garage adjacent to the hotel self parking $20.00 per night There is a 6 feet 7 inch vehicle height limitation in all garages
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights prior: call hotel for rate Group rates are not available during times outside of the Road Scholar program week. For early arrival or late stayovers, call the hotel directly.
  Check in time: 3:00 PM

 Country Inn & Suites
Type: Hotel
  Description: The Country Inn & Suites Savannah Historic District is the perfect spot for those looking to explore all that historic Savannah has to offer. Located within walking distance of Savannah's historical treasures, guests can take advantage of what truly is a walking city. From our beautifully appointed Savannah hotel rooms to our comfortable and inviting public areas, guests will find our downtown Savannah hotel to be the perfect home away from home. Be our guest at the Country Inn Savannah Historic District hotel and begin a memory-making experience in this truly unique city.
  Contact info: 320 Montgomery Street
Savannah, GA 31401 USA
phone: 912-921-5300
web: www.countryinns.com/hotels/gasahist
  Room amenities: In-room amenities include complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, 32" flat screen televisions, coffee and tea makers with complimentary coffee, iron/ironing boards, free local calls, and a microwave and refrigerator in each room.
  Facility amenities: Hotel Highlights: High-Speed Internet Indoor Pool Fitness Center Suites
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes

 Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Type: Resort
  Description: The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is Jekyll Island's only four star resort and National Historic Landmark. Enjoy casual and fine dining, nine miles of beach, bicycling, 63 holes of golf, tennis, heart of historic district, horseback riding, and much more.
  Contact info: 371 Riverview Drive
Jekyll Island, GA 31527 USA
phone: 800-535-9547 x9126352600
web: www.jekyllclub.com/
  Room amenities: iPod Dock Clock Radio, Color 32" LCD Flat Panel TV with Cable and DVD player, Iron / Ironing Board, Hair Dryer, High Speed Wireless Internet Service, Phone with V/M & Data Ports, In Room Safe, Refreshment Center, Coffee Maker
  Facility amenities: sweeping verandas and Victorian architecture
  Smoking allowed: No
  Elevators available: Yes
  Additional nights after: $150 approximately Call the hotel for current price rate.
  Check out time: 12:00 PM


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
Charleston: 6:00 pm Orientation, 7:00 pm dinner You will be staying at The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel that night.
  End of Program:
Jekyll Island: Program ends after breakfast. Hotel check-out is 11 am. You will be staying at Jekyll Island Club Hotel the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. If you have a Senior Pass, Golden Age Passport or National Parks Pass, please bring it with you.
  Parking availability:
County operated garage adjacent to the Charleston hotel self parking $20.00 per night and is not included in your program cost.
Transportation
To Start of Program
  Location:  Charleston, South Carolina
  Nearest city or town:  Mt. Pleasant and Beaufort, SC
  Nearest highway: I-26
  Nearest airport:  Charleston, SC
  From End of Program
  Location:  Jekyll Island, Georgia
  Nearest city or town:  Brunswick, GA
  Nearest highway: Highway 17 and I-95
  Nearest airport:  Brunswick, GA
Travel Details
 

Jekyll Island Club Hotel to Brunswick GA Airport

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
phone: 912-635-2600
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$50.00 per person ( group rate an additional $15 per person )
Prices are subject to change.
   

Advanced reservations is required ( must be 48-72 hours )

 

Jekyll Island Club Hotel to Jacksonville FL Airport

 

To Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Hotel Shuttle
phone: 912-635-2600
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

$100.00 per person
Prices are subject to change.
 

Distance:

 

70 miles
   

Advanced reservations is required ( must be 48-72 hours )
 

Charleston, SC

 

From Airport

 
 

Service:

 

Taxi
Piedmont Limo and Car Service
phone: 843-813-1958
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Approximate rate from airport to hotel is $30 for taxi for two people
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

12 miles
   

Another taxi service recommended is Metro Limo. They can be contacted at 843-572-5083. The airport website is www.chs-airport.com. Additional ground transporation information can be located here.

 

Charleston

 

From Train Station

 
 

Service:

 

Public Transportation
Amtrak
phone: 800-872-7245
Advanced Reservations Required

 

Per Person/One Way:

 

Call Amtrak for pricing
Prices are subject to change.
 

Travel Time:

 

Approximately 20 minutes 
 

Distance:

 

10 miles
 
Driving Directions
  Charleston: Interstate 26 to Mills House Hotel Travel on Interstate 26 until you reach the Meeting Street Exit, 221B. Continue on Meeting Street for 2 miles until you reach the corner of Meeting Street and Queen Street. The Mills House will be on your right.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: Hotel Check-In/Orientation/Get Acquainted
(Sunday, April 7)
   
 Afternoon: HOTEL CHECK-IN: Available from 4:00pm. PROGRAM REGISTRATION: After you have your room assignment, come over to the Road Scholar desk in the lobby to register with the program staff at our desk in the lobby beginning at 5:00pm. You’ll receive your arrival packet containing the most up-to-date schedule and program information that we’ll review during our orientation session after dinner. Please be aware that program activities and scheduled times could change due to local circumstances. In the event of any changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding! This program is a new Road Scholar "Flex" program. It is different from other programs with more opportunities for you to dine out and explore on your own. Several meals have been excluded from the program cost and you will have a large block of free time for personal independent exploration. We hope you enjoy this new "Flex" program and highlights of each of the cities we visit this week. We look forward to having you.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the Mills House in an appointed room just for our group. You'll enjoy the Mills House where the delicious food and atmosphere welcome visitors and locals alike.
 Evening: ORIENTATION: You'll have an informative overview of the program to come plus an opportunity to meet the program staff and your fellow participants during an introductory get-acquainted session. We’ll review the updated schedule, answer any questions you may have, and cover responsibilities, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures. (If you arrive late, please pick up your packet at the hotel front desk.) The remainder of the evening is yours to begin getting to know one another, walk around the neighborhood, or relax in the hotel. You are about to embark on a very special learning adventure, seeing first hand how history lives on in the present, from stately homes in historic Charleston to extraordinary Lowcountry plantations. Charleston is and always has been a place of spectacular contradictions. Known as the “Holy City” because of its many houses of worship, this was one of the few cities in colonial America to protect religious diversity. Yet it was also part of an ante-bellum society that benefited from slavery and became wealthy as a result. You’ll have opportunities to ponder these contradictions as we explore and learn about magnificent dwellings, often adorned with graceful gardens, and the lives of the people who lived and worked there.
   
Accommodations: The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2: History of Charleston/Charleston Historic District Field Trip
(Monday, April 8)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy the breakfast buffet or order a full breakfast off of the restaurant menu in the Barbados Room.
 Morning: PRESENTATION: A local historian — the co-author of "A Witness to History: Charleston's Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon" — will provide an introduction to Charleston and the Carolina Lowcountry. This introductory history of Charleston will prepare you for the field trips we will take during your stay starting with the first field trip through historic downtown Charleston after lunch.
 Lunch: Lunch is on your own at the City Market Place. We will meet up after lunch for our walking field trip of the historic district with our historian from the morning presentation.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Charleston Historic District. Get an orientation to the interior city of Charleston as we begin our exploration of great houses and gardens. Among those we visit is the PALMER HOME on the Battery, one of Charleston's most famous houses, built in 1848 by John Ravenel, whose son designed the "Little David" , the first semi-submersible vessel. This private home is now operated as a bed-and-breakfast by third-generation owner, Frances Palmer. The house is furnished and decorated with antiques dating back two hundred years. In addition to learning about all this fascinating history, enjoy light refreshments. You will view Fort Sumter from the veranda of the Palmer home. Fort Sumter may be one of your choices to visit on your own on a free afternoon.You'll also see the Palmer House private garden as well as other private gardens as we walk through the historic area visiting St. Michael's Cathedral, old church cemeteries, and much more.
 Dinner: Dinner will be on your own or you may choose to join others for dinner at a mutual agreed upon restaurant led by the coordinator.
   
Accommodations: The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3: Middleton and Magnolia Plantations on the Ashley River/Sweetgrass Demonstration
(Tuesday, April 9)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy the breakfast buffet or order a full breakfast off of the restaurant menu in the Barbados Room.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Middleton Place is a National Historic Landmark situated on the Ashley River, a carefully preserved 18th-century plantation that has survived revolution, Civil War, and earthquake. During our field trip, you'll learn that it was the home of four important generations of Middletons, beginning with Henry Middleton, President of the First Continental Congress; Arthur, a signer of the Declaration of Independence; Henry, Governor of South Carolina and an American Minister to Russia; and William, a signer of the Ordinance of Secession. We'll explore the gardens, and the plantation stableyards, as well, as the rice fields.
 Lunch: Enjoy a delicious Lowcountry buffet at Middleton Plantation.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Magnolia Plantation, founded in 1676 by the Drayton family, has survived the centuries and witnessed the history of our nation unfold from the American Revolution through the Civil War and beyond. It is the oldest public site open to visitors in the Lowcountry, with the oldest public gardens in America, opening its doors to visitors in 1872 to view the thousands of beautiful flowers and plants in its famous gardens. As you ride through the landscape, guides bring its history to life. From a row of slave cabins to 19th century rice ponds and a Native American ceremonial mound that evoke the plantation’s complex past. Learn about its rich history as you experience the beauty of the house and gardens.
 Dinner: Dinner will be enjoyed at the hotel.
 Evening: DEMONSTRATION: Learn about Charleston's Sweetgrass Baskets and see a demonstration. Brought to the area by slaves who came from the west coast of Africa, basket making is an ancient African art form in this country, which has been passed on from generation to generation. Skilled craftsmanship and long hours are involved in making these baskets. Even for the most experienced basket maker, a simple design can take as long as 12 hours. A larger more complex design can take as long as two to three months. Learn the art of sweetgrass basket making and the history of Gullah sweetgrass baskets. N Hands-on experiences: 1
   
Accommodations: The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Free Morning/Edmondston-Alston And Nathaniel Russell Homes/Farewell Dinner In Historic Charleston District
(Wednesday, April 10)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy the breakfast buffet or order a full breakfast off of the restaurant menu in the Barbados Room.
 Morning: This morning is your time to revisit any sites that you may have wanted to spend more time but decided to go back on your own or take in some new sites that were not a part of this program. We will have a list of everything in the historic district and they are all within walking distance of your hotel. This will be your last day in Charleston so enjoy the time you have left doing the things you want to do most.You may also want to check the official Charleston Visitors Bureau website to see what's on: www.charlestoncvb.com/.You are also near the historic College of Charleston with many activities of its own.
 Lunch: Lunch will be on your own to enjoy the many outstanding restaurants of Charleston...all within convenient walking distance to your hotel.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: The first field trip will take you to the Edmondston-Alston home. Built for shipping merchant Charles Edmondston c.1825, this house on Charleston's High Battery was acquired in 1838 by Charles Alston, owner of three rice plantations on the fertile Waccamaw Neck. It is an outstanding example of a planter's town house, where the Alstons enjoyed the social season and summer breezes of the city, avoiding the malarial rice plantations. Since it has never passed out of the family's ownership, it is richly appointed with original furniture, tableware, and even Charles Alston's library and gun. The second-story piazza affords a breathtaking view of Charleston Harbor. The second home to view this morning is the Nathaniel Russell Home. Since 1808, visitors have admired the grand Federal townhouse of Charleston merchant Nathaniel Russell. Set amid spacious formal gardens, the Nathaniel Russell House is a National Historic Landmark and is widely recognized as one of America’s most important neoclassical dwellings. The graceful interior with elaborate plasterwork ornamentation, geometrically shaped rooms and a magnificent free-flying staircase are among the most exuberant ever created in early America.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the popular Eli's Table Restaurant, a local favorite nestled in the Charleston Peninsula. Savor some of Charleston's distinctive coastal cuisine. This will be our final night together and we will toast it with a special farewell dinner.
   
Accommodations: The Mills House Wyndham Grand Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Beaufort, SC By Carriage/Arrive Savannah, GA
(Thursday, April 11)
   
 Breakfast: Enjoy the breakfast buffet or order a full breakfast off of the restaurant menu in the Barbados Room.
 Morning: Depart Charleston, SC for Beaufort, SC. Relax and enjoy an expert led field trip in Beaufort, SC by carriage. Beaufort entered its golden era about 1800, when Sea Island cotton debuted, and many of Beaufort’s loveliest mansions were built by the wealthy owners of cotton, indigo, and rice plantations. By the 1800s, Port Royal -- the Town incorporated in 1874 -- also had found peace and prosperity. It even boasted a Navy yard, but an 1893 hurricane and economic calamities later brought hard times. Today, reminders of the area’s colorful history abound in architecture preserved with loving care and folkways honored across generations. The entire downtown Beaufort area is designated a historic district. Architecture from many grand cultures and eras includes French, Colonial, Spanish-American, and Revolutionary origins. At least 90 significant homes, forts, churches, cemeteries, inns, and other buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Field trips: 1
 Lunch: Delight in the small historic village of Beaufort by the sea while you savor the coastal cuisine from a selection of local restaurants on your own. No need to hurry or wait for a group for lunch. You can be assured that the food will be fresh and the company you keep is your choice. We are happy to make suggestions for restaurants or go with a group of friends.
 Afternoon: Relish the afternoon in a relaxed atmosphere by the intracoastal waterway and sit and enjoy the ships that pass or go in and out of the shops on mainstreet.
 Dinner: Dinner will be at the hotel with a catered buffet of some of the freshest and best prepared food you can imagine.
 Evening: The evening is yours to unwind from the day of activities and look forward to your first day in Savannah. You are in the heart of Savannah within easy walking distance of the many squares of Savannah.
   
Accommodations: Country Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Savannah History By Trolley/Lunch At The Olde Pink House/Free Afternoon and Evening
(Friday, April 12)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the designated breakfast area of the hotel. Start the day off right with a hot breakfast that features waffles, eggs, bacon, assorted breads, pastries, fruits, coffee and juices.
 Morning: All aboard the trolley for an expert led field trip of Savannah. Hear and see the history as we get on and off the trolley for close up looks and entrances into historic sites.
 Lunch: Lunch will be at the historic and beautiful Olde Pink House, one of the most popular eating establishments in Savannah. A National Landmark, Savannah's stately Georgian Mansion dates back to 1771 and faces Reynolds Square with ancient live oaks draped in moss.
 Afternoon: We will drop people off near River Street to explore on your own or go back to the hotel and regroup and then go from there on your exploration of Savannah. Our Savannah hotel's location is perfect for exploring Historic River Street, City Market, Savannah Civic Center, Savannah College of Art and Design and the Savannah History Museum.
 Dinner: A list of restaurants will help you select your evenings culinary delight. Join a group or the coordinator or try your own on a night out in Savannah. We will research the local entertainment and let you know the offerings ahead of time in case you decide to venture out on your own. Dinner is on your own but does not have to be alone.
   
Accommodations: Country Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7: Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace/Cathedral of St. John The Baptist/Forsyth Park/Dinner At Fort Jackson
(Saturday, April 13)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the designated breakfast area of the hotel. Start the day off right with a hot breakfast that features waffles, eggs, bacon, assorted breads, pastries, fruits, coffee and juices.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: Discover the fascinating story of how Juliette Gordon Low, multi-talented, quirky and severely hearing impaired, founded the Girl Scouts in 1912, and became one of the most significant American women of her time. A National Historic Landmark, the Wayne-Gordon House, completed in 1821, is an outstanding example of Regency architecture. Saved from demolition by the Girl Scouts, the house has been returned to its 1886 glory. Authentically furnished with family pieces and 19th-century decorative art, the room arrangements and collections interpret the lifestyle of a fascinating Savannah family. FIELD TRIP: Cathedral of St. John The Baptist - Immigrants fleeing turmoil in Haiti and France established Savannah's first parish, the Congregation de Saint Jean-Baptiste, near the end of the 18th century. To accommodate a growing Catholic population, half a trust lot on Liberty Square was reserved as a building site for the small frame church of Saint John the Baptist. The first Bishop of the Diocese of Charleston (1820), which encompassed all of Georgia, was Bishop John England, and he placed the cornerstone of the new brick church. Hear what has happened since then and see a stunning cathedral. FIELD TRIP: In 1733, the lands around Forsyth Place [now Forsyth Park] comprised much of the designated 5-acre Savannah garden lots of colonial Savannah, Georgia's earliest British and European settlers. Architectural treasures around Forsyth Park include Hodgson Hall, housing the Georgia Historical Society and the former Telfair Hospital for Females, created in 1886 through the estate of Mary Telfair, the longest operating women's hospital in the United States. A stroll through the 30-acre Forsyth Park offers a true Savannah-style southern postcard view, with Spanish moss hanging from huge old live oaks. The trees form a tunnel that frames the park's 1858 fountain, patterned after that in the Place de la Concord in Paris.
 Lunch: Lunch will on your own and you don't have to be back until 4:00 pm at which time we will depart for Fort Jackson for a presentation and dinner.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: We will leave at 4:30 pm for Fort Jackson. The fort protected Savannah during the War of 1812 and served as the headquarters for the Savannah River defenses during the Civil War. Confederate troops garrisoned the fort and protected Savannah for most of the war. The city and Fort Jackson finally fell to Union forces in December 1864 when General William Tecumseh Sherman ended his famous "March to the Sea" in Savannah. A reenactment will be presented by soldiers and a firing of the canon will salute visitors and pay honor to the memory of the soldiers of Fort Jackson.
 Dinner: A special dinner will be your treat in the troop barracks of Fort Jackson.
   
Accommodations: Country Inn & Suites
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Savannah Departure/Jekyll Island Club Hotel and Village
(Sunday, April 14)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast will be in the designated breakfast area of the hotel. Start the day off right with a hot breakfast that features waffles, eggs, bacon, assorted breads, pastries, fruits, coffee and juices.
 Morning: We will depart from Savannah, GA for Jekyll Island, GA, approximately 70 miles. The drive will take you along the marshes and estuaries that are such a big part of the ecology of the low country. Relax and enjoy the beauty of your surroundings on your short trip to Jekyll. Commentary along the way will fill in the blanks for any quesitons you may have.
 Lunch: We will have lunch at Crane's Cottage. This is the largest of the private residences built by the Jekyll Island Club Members. Richard Crane, its owner, founded the Crane Company, which built fluid control equipment and plumbing fixtures. This company was the first to make white bathroom fixtures. The Crane Cottage has 17 bathrooms, which was practically unheard of in the early 1900's.
 Afternoon: EXPERT LED PRESENTATION OF JEKYLL ISLAND CLUB HOTEL: Learn about the Jekyll Island Club’s over 100 years of rich history, including stories passed down over time, when the hotel’s concierge conducts a fabulous tour of the Club and Cottages. A local historian will tell you all about the social history of Jekyll Island and the Club. Following the presentation, we’ll go behind the scenes with an expert guide for views not available to the general public. At the turn of the century, tycoons, politicians, and socialites flocked to Jekyll Island to revel in their own luxury and America's burgeoning wealth. Their exclusive club was described in the February 1904 issue of Munsey's Magazine as "the richest, the most exclusive, the most inaccessible club in the world." Its members included such luminaries as J.P. Morgan, William Rockefeller, Vincent Astor, Joseph Pulitzer, William K. Vanderbilt. Other names on the roster included Macy, Goodyear, and Gould. You are staying in what was "their" exclusive club hotel.
 Dinner: Enjoy dinner on your own in the hotel or at one of the restaurants nearby. We will have suggestions for you like the Café Solterra, Jekyll Club Hotel's popular bakery-delicatessen, The Grand Dining Room in The Jekyll Club Hotel continues to be the scene of social gatherings and gourmet experiences and is beautifully restored in the Victorian mode, or Latitude31 Restaurant and Rah Bar located in the front of the hotel on the wharf overlooking the intracoastal waterway. You will probably have a following of newfound friends who will want to join you.
   
Accommodations: Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 9: Historic Jekyll Island Millionaire Village/Museum/Free Afternoon and Evening
(Monday, April 15)
   
 Breakfast: A full service breakfast will be at the hotel.
 Morning: JEKYLL ISLAND MUSEUM: We will visit the Jekyll Island Museum where you can embark on a journey of discovery, through exhibits, tours and programs that are adventures into a bygone era. See the informative film, actual photos of this time period, and meet your historian who will give you the history before boarding the tram for the millionaire homes. FIELD TRIP: With a guided tram tour of the 240-acre historic district that includes entry into two cottages, step into the past and into the millionaires world. Fifty-three prominent Jekyll Island Club members created an exclusive gilded era island retreat for family and friends on Georgia’s coast. These empire builders shaped our nation’s future. What made them leave their retreat homes? Learn all about Jekyll Island history from an expert guide and historian.
 Lunch: Escape to the activity that makes you happy on Jekyll Island. We will provide a list of activities on that will fill your afternoon.
 Afternoon: JUST A FEW OF THE SUGGESTIONS FOR FREE TIME ON JEKYLL: Enjoy a favorite pastime of 19th century guests at the Jekyll Club if you decide to play croquet on the front lawn. Enjoy high tea in the Riverview Lounge off the Grand Dining Room. A variety of teas, scones, French pastries, and tea sandwiches are the fare. Visit the art gallery housed in Goodyear Cottage at the south end of the historic district, just a short stroll from the hotel. Bike riding is one of the most popular activities on Jekyll Island! There are 20 miles of flat paths that circle the entire island. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is open to the public for touring and is located directly behind the hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner is on your own. You will not have to rush back for a meal so savor the local cuisine of the island.
 Evening: We will assemble for a special program that concludes a special day on Jekyll Island.
   
Accommodations: Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 10: Jekyll Beach Walk/St. Simons Island/Farewell Dinner
(Tuesday, April 16)
   
 Breakfast: Full service breakfast at the hotel.
 Morning: FIELD TRIP: This morning your naturalist will lead you on an exciting beach walk. You will come away with new information about the beaches that will amaze you and probably surprise you at the same time. The beach walk is beautiful at anytime of the year. You never knew so much life existed on the beaches and some of the things you thought were not life at all will turn out to be the home of some critter. It is a fun and exciting morning led by a gifted naturalist as your guide.
 Lunch: We will travel for lunch to St. Simons Island, a 30 minute drive from Jekyll Island. Lunch will be at the Mullet Bay Seafood Restaurant in the heart of St. Simons and the tiny seaside town. It is a favorite restaurant by locals and visitors.
 Afternoon: FIELD TRIP: Christ Church will be one of your first stops as you explore St. Simon's Island. This lovely church has captivated visitors for years with its distinctive architectural design and majestic live oak surroundings. This modern day spectacle, like a vintage photograph, offers the Road Scholar viewer a peek into another time period. Ultimately, the widespread appeal of the site today may be linked to the 1880s generosity of Anson Dodge Jr., a man popularized by Eugenia Price in her book The Beloved Invader. Other stops on St. Simon's will include the lighthouse, tiny seaside village, avenue of oaks, and more.
 Dinner: A special farewell has been planned for you at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.
 Evening: Welcome The Sea Island Singers whose performance will include the lyrical Gullah language, spiritual songs, games, and redemptive shouts passed down from the slaves on Georgia’s southeastern coast. This is our final night on the island and it is a time to be entertained.
   
Accommodations: Jekyll Island Club Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11: Departure From Jekyll Island/Conclusion Of Program
(Wednesday, April 17)
   
 Depart From: Our program has concluded and motor coach transfers will be available to take participants to the Jacksonville International Airport. The cost of the transportation to Jacksonville is $90 per person and is not included in your program cost. The trip to Jacksonville is 70 miles long. It is approximately one and one half hours from Jekyll to Jacksonville and we will leave Jekyll around 9 am.
 Breakfast: A full service breakfast is available at the Jekyll Island Club Hotel.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Guide to a Georgia Barrier Island: Featuring Jekyll Island With St. Simons & Sapelo Islands


Author: Taylor Schoettle


Description: Testimonial: Ever wished, as you walked along a deserted stretch of beach or stared at the ruins of a stately old home, you had a naturalist/historian along with you? Buy A GUIDE TO A GEORGIA BARRIER ISLAND and you'll be in the company of both. His name is Taylor Schoettle. His informative, easy-going style and eager descriptions of what you're walking on, looking at, and interested in make this book a tremendous bargain.



A Short History of Charleston


Author: Robert N. Rosen


Description: A concise small history of Charleston that is easy to read and enjoyable.



A Witness to History: Charleston's Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon


Author: Ruth Miller and Ann Taylor Andrus


Description: The Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon in Charleston, South Carolina, is one of the great buildings of Colonial America. Serving as city hall, customs house, post office and prison; as the British Headquarters during the occupation of Charles Towne and then host to a great ball honoring George Washington, the Exchange has been an eyewitness to America’s history. This stoic building-—designated a National Historic Landmark in 1975—-has been described as the best example of the dignity and ornament of the traditional English “exchange-town hall” design of the eighteenth century built in the United States. From within its Great Hall to deep below in the Provost Dungeon, the Exchange has played a vital role in American history. Andrus’ and Miller’s fast-paced and readable survey of the history and significance of the Old Exchange Building will appeal to visitor and serious historian alike.



Allegiance: Fort Sumter, Charleston, and the Beginning of the Civil War


Author: David Detzer


Description: An original and deeply human portrait of soldiers and civilians caught in the vortex of war. So vividly does Allegiance re-create the events leading to the firing of the first shot of the Civil War on April 12, 1861, that we can feel the fabric of the Union tearing apart. It is a tense and surprising story, filled with indecisive bureaucrats, uninformed leaders, hotheaded politicians, and dedicated and honorable soldiers on both sides. The six-month-long agony that began with Lincoln's election in November sputtered from one crisis to the next until Lincoln's inauguration, and finally exploded as the soldiers at Sumter neared starvation. At the center of this dramatic narrative is the heroic figure of Major Robert Anderson, a soldier whose experience had taught him above all that war is the poorest form of policy. With little help from Washington, D.C., Anderson almost single-handedly forestalled the beginning of the war until he finally had no choice but to fight. David Detzer's decade-long research illuminates the passions that led to the fighting, the sober reflections of the man who restrained its outbreak, and individuals on both sides who changed American history. No other historian has given us a clearer or more intimate picture of the human drama of Fort Sumter.



Jekyll Island Club, The (GA) (Images of America)


Author: Jekyll Island Museum


Description: In the late nineteenth century, some of the wealthiest families in America joined together to form the Jekyll Island Club. The Club operated for 54 years, from 1888 until 1942, and attracted an elite membership. The families of Cyrus McCormick, J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, and William Vanderbilt were among those who enjoyed the leisurely pace and recreational adventure of the Georgia coast. The Jekyll Island Club includes images of the architecture, clothing, transportation, and natural beauty unique to the island. This exquisite collection is sure to rekindle awe and wonder in the hearts of those who have visited the island, and will serve as a wonderful introduction for newcomers. The Jekyll Island Club is a fascinating look at a bygone period. Show More Show Less



Jekyll Island: The Nearest Faraway Place


Author: unknown


Description: Jekyll Island's undisturbed beauty, combined with its pleasant year-round weather and refreshing ocean breezes, provides a breathtaking backdrop for a variety of wonderful experiences. Located midway between Savannah, Georgia and Jacksonville, Florida, Jekyll Island is approximately 5,700 acres and the smallest of Georgia's barrier islands. As a tribute to the Island's allurement, the Jekyll Island Authority has published Jekyll Island The Nearest Faraway Place, a coffee table book recognizing the inspired talent of residents and guests and their ability to capture unique perspectives of our cherished Island. During the period of March through September 2010, a competition was conducted to discover photographs of, and poems about, Jekyll Island. Scenic images and inspiring narratives portraying Jekyll's beach and marsh, sunrise and sunsets, wildlife, nature, historic landmarks, and views from above were sought for inclusion in this project. Submissions included 70 from Georgia, 17 from different states, 4 from Canada and 1 from the United Kingdom. Results of the competition were announced and the winning selections are featured in the commemorative publication. Copyright of the selected works and all rights to publish became property of Jekyll Island Authority. Jekyll Island The Nearest Faraway Place is now currently available at the Visitor Information Center, the Commissary, the Jekyll Island Book Store, the Jekyll Island Museum Store, the Georgia Sea Turtle Center and Hattie's Books in Brunswick.



The Jekyll Island Club


Author: Tyler E. Bagwell and The Jekyll Island Museum


Description: In the late nineteenth century, some of the wealthiest families in America joined together to form the Jekyll Island Club. The Club operated for 54 years, from 1888 until 1942, and attracted an elite membership. The families of Cyrus McCormick, J.P. Morgan, Joseph Pulitzer, and William Vanderbilt were among those who enjoyed the leisurely pace and recreational adventure of the Georgia coast. The Jekyll Island Club includes images of the architecture, clothing, transportation, and natural beauty unique to the island. This exquisite collection is sure to rekindle awe and wonder in the hearts of those who have visited the island, and will serve as a wonderful introduction for newcomers. The Jekyll Island Club is a fascinating look at a bygone period.



The Secret Gardens of Charleston


Author: Louisa Cameron


Description: A stunning tour with the owners of many of historic Charleston's most beautiful, but rarely seen, private gardens. Charleston gardeners--some working with noted designers, others relying on their own skills and creativity--are masters of fashioning intricate designs and plant selections to match the architectural beauty of this legendary city. This is a valuable resource for inner-city gardeners and an important tool for those involved in the restoration of older houses and gardens.





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