By Kathy Black-Dennis Historic Preservation on Tybee Island
Thankfulness
We have so much to be thankful for on Tybee. As we look forward to Thanksgiving, let’s reflect on all the good
we have on our island. We’re thankful Hurricane Florence didn’t pay us a visit, although she did mess with us a
bit. In fact, we had the dedication of the Otranto memorial scheduled, then cancelled because we weren’t quite
sure what was going to happen. The dedication will now be held November 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the Tybee Post
Theater. There will be a program consisting of proclamations, music by Island Harmony and TIMA, as well as a
showing of the BBC documentary, “Islay, Island of Peril.” Afterwards, go over to the Tybee Island Museum and
check out the marker commemorating the tragic sinking of the ship and the loss of so many souls.
As a member of the Tybee Island Historic Preservation Commission, I am thankful to have had the opportunity
to attend the Georgia statewide Historic Preservation conference in Macon with fellow commissioner Jeremy J
Altman. We attended one day of tours around historic Macon and learned how partnerships between government,
nonprofits, historic commissions, historical societies and residents is a necessity to protecting historic treasures.
This was followed by two days of workshops geared toward partnerships in preservation and ethics.
It came as no surprise as to the challenges of preservation. The issues we are having on Tybee are some of
the very ones on the national level. Namely, we can get overwhelmed and we might not know where to start.
Preservation can be seen as costly, but there are grants and tax credits to be had. Individual property rights,
time constraints, fiscal impacts all need to be considered, but the long term impact of preservation outweigh
these perceived issues.
I believe preservation is so important and actively affects all of us as we protect the unique and quirky nature
of our island. We ask that you join us in preserving Tybee’s treasures. As always, the Historic Preservation
Commission welcomes your attendance at our meetings the 3rd Monday of each month. One of our missions is
to educate the community on preservation. We will be providing programs in the New Year. What would you like
to learn? We want to hear from you!
So, what are you thankful for? What are you fixing for Thanksgiving dinner? Sarah Jones found a menu of
what the Ft. Screven soldiers were having... take a look and be inspired... and thankful!
TYBEE BEACHCOMBER | NOV 2018 31