The Gullah Geechee communities are the direct decedents of the people who settled in Mitchelville. The community still exists and continues its tradition like that of its ancestors. We assembled some of the popular practices and beliefs of the Mitchelville people to help you understand this place better. Mitchelville Freedom Park is America's first pre-Civil War colony for freed black slaves that made it out of the local plantations. These hardworking new inhabitants constructed homes on well-kept streets, elected their leaders, drafted laws, established an economy, and mandated compulsory education for their children. This is how their first settlement began. The story about the growing town of Mitchelville was so inspiring that it made a buzz; the word reached the famous Underground Railroad freedom fighter, Harriet Tubman. She was sent to cover the growing popularity of the bustling town. The town structure The Mitchelville is situated on the Hilton Head Island which represents the jewel within the Gullah community. Mitchelville was planned as a whole town, with regular street layouts and quarter-acre lots. The villagers built their homes with supplies provided by the army. The town formed its administration and established a set of laws, missionary-run schools, as well as a church, and shops. Only black people were allowed to live there, and white visitors required credentials. Mitchelville had a population of 3,000 persons in October 1864, but that figure had plummeted to 1,500 by the end of the war in 1865. Many people returned to their old neighborhoods, but others left when the Army and its employment left in 1868. The town had been reduced to what has been described as a "kinship-based community" by the 1870s. If anyone wants to trace back the residents during that time, it is not possible because very few military records exist. Churches/religion Mitchelville had a population of 3,000 persons in October 1864, but that figure had plummeted to 1,500 by the end of the war in 1865. Many people returned to their old neighborhoods, but others left when the Army and its employment left in 1868. The town had been reduced to what has been described as a "kinship-based community" by the 1870s. Structures Free lumber was given by military sawmills for the dwellings that the freedmen built. Each home was built on a quarter-acre plot of land. The usual home was 12x12ft, with wood pier foundations, crystal windows, wood flooring, timber-framed siding, wood shingle roofs, and either metal stoves or brick and/or "tabby" or wattle and daub ("stick") chimneys. School Mitchelville, Seabrook, Marshland, Stoney, and Lawton were the five school districts established in 1866 on Hilton Head Island. The American Missionary Association provided a good number of majority instructors in Mitchelville District and offered primary, intermediate, and high school lessons at the different churches. The classes were conducted with 238 children and lasted up to 5 hours every day. Conclusion These are some of the amazing details about the Mitchelville. If you have decided on a Hilton Head tour with friends and family, then the place is a perfect pick for all the right reasons. The blend of culture and nature will complete a stay-cation or a Vacation easily. However, you must do the necessary research from your end to avoid any kind of uninvited trouble.
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Gullah Heritage Trail Tours
Gullah Heritage Trail Tour is a group of authentic Gullah islanders who have opened their doors to the world that surrounds them. This allows everyone to have the opportunity to witness the beauty and culture of Hilton Head. Archives
January 2024
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