NPS - National Park Service
02/05/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/05/2026 15:04
National Park Service Invites Public to African American Heritage Festival at Fort Frederica National Monument
Date:
February 5, 2026
Contact: Cindy Brewer , 912-882-4336 opt 2
February 5, 2026
Contact: Cindy Brewer , 912-882-4336 opt 2
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. - On Feb. 21, the National Park Service invites the public to attend the African American Heritage Festival at Fort Frederica National Monument. The park will co-host this event with St. Simons Island gateway community partners and the Friends of Fort Frederica.
The event will take place at the park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event will highlight the cultural heritage of St. Simons Island through history, music, storytelling and traditional crafts.
"We are excited for this opportunity to share the history of Fort Frederica National Monument and St. Simons Island," said Superintendent Melissa Trenchik. "This wonderful annual event recognizes historic contributions and brings hundreds of visitors together to learn and celebrate."
Exhibitors from local institutions, organizations and historic sites will be located behind the Visitor Center, sharing local culture and history.
Multiple programs will be held at the park's outdoor amphitheater. The world-renowned Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters will demonstrate Gullah Geechee cultural traditions through music and dance. Jason Vaughn will present the history of Robert S. Abbott, a prominent entrepreneur and visionary born on St. Simons Island, whose family cemetery is now within Fort Frederica National Monument. The Phil Morrison Trio will also perform live jazz music.
The African American Heritage Festival offers visitors an opportunity to engage with the stories, traditions and legacies that have shaped St. Simons Island and the broader region.
For more information about Fort Frederica National Monument, visit (www.nps.gov/fofr) or follow the park on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FortFredericaNPS/). This event is supported by the Friends of Fort Frederica National Monument, visit (Friends of Fort Frederica (fortfredericafriends.org) for more information on this 501(c)3 organization.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 430+ national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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