Guest Speaker: David Jones, Site Administrator, Pin Point Heritage MuseumPreserving the Story of Pin Point
Since joining Pin Point Heritage Museum in August 2018, site administrator David Jones has been dedicated to educating the public about one of Savannah’s most important cultural treasures. Beginning his work as a resource educator, Jones has spent years engaging visitors and sharing the rich history of the Gullah/Geechee community that has called Pin Point home for generations.
Nestled along the banks of the Moon River, Pin Point is a historic Gullah/Geechee community established in the late 1800s. The museum is housed in the former A.S. Varn & Son Oyster and Crab Factory—once a central workplace for many community members—and tells the story of Pin Point through immersive exhibits that highlight language, foodways, traditions, and daily life. As part of the Coastal Heritage Society, the museum offers a rare opportunity to learn about this close-knit African American fishing community and its enduring legacy.
The Gullah/Geechee people are descendants of West Africans known for their expertise in rice cultivation. Enslaved along the coastal islands of the Lowcountry, they were able to preserve much of their cultural heritage due to geographic isolation. After General Sherman’s arrival, formerly enslaved people were briefly granted land ownership through the promise of “40 acres and a mule”—a promise later reversed under President Andrew Johnson. Despite this setback, Gullah/Geechee communities continued to sustain their culture and traditions.
In the late 1890s, a devastating series of hurricanes reshaped the coastal islands, forcing many families to relocate. While much land was sold, Pin Point’s lack of road access limited development, allowing the community to remain intact. The area eventually became a self-sustaining village, supported by thriving seafood operations that provided stable employment and strengthened community life.
Plan Your Visit
📍 Open Thursday–Saturday | 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Save the Date
🎨🦪 March 25 — Art & Oysters Fundraiser at Pin Point Heritage Museum
Click here to learn more and support this vital cultural landmark.