Heritage, History & More
Museums ~ Theatre ~ Historic Markers ~ Churches
Visit our walkable historic district and discover the history and culture of the area.
Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum (Mainland)
This museum houses a collection of artifacts from Cumberland Island including remembrances of the famed Carnegie lifestyle and remnants of the Timucuan Indians who once inhabited the island. A moving exhibit of the "Forgotten Battle" demonstrates the dramatic events that occurred when one of the last battles of the War of 1812 was fought at St. Marys' Point Peter area.
129 Osborne St. 912-882-4336
Cumberland Island Visitor Center (Mainland)
The visitor center is the ferry-check in location. It is a replica of Miller’s Dock, an old St. Marys Landmark. The center features an exhibit depicting glimpses back in time to the Carnegie’s family life at the turn of the century. Other exhibits tell a story of the Timucuan Indians, the life of saltwater marshes, the primary and secondary dune systems, and the barrier ecosystem of the island.
113 W. St. Marys St.
912-882-4336
Georgia Coastal Railway
Relax and enjoy as the train rambles through neighborhoods, scenic marshlands, woodlands, commercial districts and even a working rail yard. Offered are a multitude of train ride experiences such as Murder Mystery, wine tasting, Great Gatsby Getaway, sightseeing tours & more. Most rides take place on Saturdays, but some excursions are available multiple days a week throughout the year, so check our calendar of events for monthly offerings and rates.
1000 Osborne Road
904-370-3744
Historic Churches
St. Marys offers historic churches of many denominations. These historic churches are rich in the history of St. Marys and are located within the Historic District.
- Christ Church Historic Episcopal Chapel - 305 Wheeler St.
- First Presbyterian Church - 100 Conyers St.
- Our Lady Star of the Sea Historic Catholic Chapel - 201 Osborne St.
- St. Marys United Methodist Historic Chapel - 105 E. Conyers
History Tour - St. Marys Self-Guided or Golf Cart Tour
Pick up your Self-Guided Tour Brochure at the welcome center and experience the St. Marys Historic District through fun and historical facts about various locations. It's a great way to soak in the small town atmosphere. 400 Osborne Street. 912-882-4000.
*Private golf cart tours may be available weekdays with advance notice. Call to inquire. Maximum four guests.
History Tour - Molly's Old South Walking Tour
St. Marys has been a hangout of smugglers, a shelter for a fleeing Aaron Burr, a home base for Revolutionary War traitors and patriots. This walking tour presents stories and includes access to some of the town’s iconic landmarks, such as the First Presbyterian Church and the Riverview Hotel.
Starts at the St. Marys Waterfront Pavilion at 100 Osborne Street.
904-735-8243 website
McIntosh Sugar Mill Ruins
Ruins of a tabby sugar works built by John Houston McIntosh soon after 1825. Installed was the first horizontal cane mill worked by cattle power. The tabby sugar works was also used as a starch factory, producing arrowroot starch in large quantities. This is a trail head with comfort station for the St. Marys Tabby Trail.
3013 Charlie Smith Sr. Pkwy, St. Marys
Orange Hall - Gilman Cultural Center
Travel Advisory: ORANGE HALL IS CLOSED FOR STRUCTURAL REPAIRS.
The "Grand Dame of St. Marys," Orange Hall is an extraordinary example of antebellum life in Greek Revival style dating back to circa 1820s-1830s. She reigns in grandeur as you make your entrance into the historic district of Downtown St. Marys.
311 Osborne St. website
Oak Grove Cemetery
Go back into history and visit St. Marys' oldest tombstones. The oldest marked grave is 1801. The oppressed Acadians, driven from Acadia by the English, ultimately sought refuge in St. Marys in the late 1700's. One section holds an Acadian and Acadian descendants.
Corner of Bartlett St. & W. St. Marys Street
St. Marys Bi-National Peace Garden
Also known as the St. Marys Binational Heritage Peace Garden, the garden commemorates the War of 1812 & the shared heritage of the U.S. and Canada. Our peace garden is the southeastern most point on the Binational Heritage Peace Garden Trail. Corner of Bartlett St. & W. St. Marys Street
St. Marys Braille Trail
Nearly 40 historically significant private and public buildings or sites in downtown St. Marys' historic district have historic markers that carry a strip of braille indicating the site name and date.
Located throughout downtown.
St. Marys History Walk
The history walk offers education beyond the classroom on a 600-foot walking trail where 24 interpretive panels outline the history of the area. As you begin your self-guided tour, you’re drawn into our history and culture.
Located at the corner of Bartlett St. & W. St. Marys Street.
St. Marys Submarine Museum
CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19: CALL MUSEUM BEFORE PLANNING A VISIT.
Located on the riverfront this is one attraction not to be missed! Use the working periscope! View uniforms and models and watch a movie on submarines. Also available are a reading area, a reference area with patrol reports, gift shop, and a display dedicated to the eight submariners who received the Medals of Honor.
102 W. St. Marys Street website
St. Marys Little Theatre /Theatre by the Trax
Theatre by the Trax is is the primary venue for St. Marys Little Theatre, which
brings multiple performances seasonally through the year. The historic building was saved from demolition and converted from an old locomotive work station to a community theatre. This is also the starting point for the St. Marys train excursions.
1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys
St. Marys Railroad Museum
Located inside the Theatre by the Trax, train passengers enjoy free admittance to the museum display room. All ages enjoy the collection of running model trains exhibited on train days. Open on all scheduled train days or by special arrangement.
1000 Osborne Street, St. Marys
Located in downtown Kingsland, the small museum aims to o preserve and share the history of the Thiokol Workers' contribution to this country. Twenty-Nine of them perished and fifty or more were injured in an explosion at the Camden County plant on February 3, 1971. Open for special events. Call in advance.
115 S. Lee Street, Kingsland 912-580-6489
Toonerville Trolley Display
See you in the funny papers!" This saying was originated by Roy Crane in his 1935 "Wash Tubbs & Easy" comic strip. The nationally- syndicated comic strip featured many local personalities who used to ride this rail car to commute from St. Marys to Kingsland in the late 1920s.
406 Osborne Street, St. Marys
USS Bancroft Sail Display
At the entrance to Naval Subase Kings Bay is the display of the sail of the USS Gerogia Bancroft (SSBN-643), a Benjamin Franklin Class Ballistic Missile Submarine. Moutned atop a concrete hull form mockup, the sail appears to be surfacing out of the grassy field. Park in the visitor's lot and walk on top for a great photo opportunity! Corner of St. Marys Road and Charlie Smith Hwy.
War of 1812 Display Room
A moving exhibit of the "Forgotten Battle" demonstrates the dramatic events that occurred when one of the last battles of the War of 1812 was fought at St. Marys' Point Peter area.
Located inside the Cumberland Island National Seashore Museum
Washington Oak & Pump Marker
In honor of George Washington, the residents of St. Marys, marched a flag-draped coffin down Osborne Street with great pageantry and buried a ceremonial coffin. To mark the burial spot, four oak trees were planted. The last of the oak trees, known as the Washington Oak, was cut down in 1990, and the stump survives. Wood from the oak went into the hull restoration of the USS Constitution.
Corner of Conyers St. & Osborne St.
Woodbine Opry
Enjoy the music at the renovated "Old School" Woodbine Community Center. Fiddles, mandolins, and banjos meld with steel guitars, harmonicas, and autoharps. This is where the legendary sounds of Patsy Cline, Hank Williams Jr, Johnny Cash, and Jim Reeves revive lost loves, faded dreams, and hard times. Come here to suspend time, check your troubles at the door and truly enjoy a night of music, remembering, and smiles.
2nd St. & Camden Avenue, Woodbine