Cassina Garden Club Saint Simons Island Georgia

HAMILTON PLANTATION HERITAGE OAKS

Walk beneath the Oaks. Discover the Stories They Preserve

We invite you to walk beneath the spreading branches of six magnificent southern live oaks at the Hamilton Plantation Tabby Slave Cabins. These living landmarks connect the natural beauty of Saint Simons Island with the history preserved on these grounds. New tree markers offer another way to explore this special place

A Living Link to Our History

These historic live oaks shaded Hamilton Plantation in the 1800s, when James Hamilton’s estate records documented 125 enslaved individuals who lived and worked here. Five of the oaks are named for individuals listed in those records, recognizing their presence and contribution to the plantation.

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Live Oak Ecology Interpretive Sign

At the row of Heritage Oaks, an interpretive sign explains the live oak’s remarkable life cycle, its role in the coastal ecosystem, and the many factors that influence the growth of the individual tree - such as genetics, soil, water availability, sunlight, space to grow and coastal weather. The sign also highlights two unique epiphyses of the live oak - Spanish moss and resurrection fern - and their important role in this living ecosystem

The Heritage Oaks

Follow the row of oaks in this order:

AUNT NANCY Diameter 66”, Birth Year 1841

THOMAS Diameter 48”, Birth Year 1886

ROBERT Diameter 55”, Birth Year 1867

SARA Diameter 56”, Birth Year 1865

MARY Diameter 61.75”, Birth Year 1847

and at the entrance to the Tabby Slave Cabins *CASSINA Diameter 55”, Birth Year 1863 *This Oak honors the Cassina Garden Club, which has stewarded and preserved the Hamilton Plantation Tabby Slave Cabins since 1932

PRESERVING A HISTORIC AND NATURAL TREASURE

These six live oaks are registered with the Live Oak Society of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Inc, and were measured by certified arborist Rog Ditmer. The project was made possible through a GIFT (Golden Isles for Trees) grant, held at the Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation, in partnership with the Glynn County Board of Commissioners and Glynn County Recreation and Parks.

Learn More

Click HERE to be directed to the LIVE OAK SOCIETY OF THE LOUISIANA GARDEN CLUB FEDERATION, INC. which contains the full register, Note:

  • 8318 is Robert

  • 8319 is Sara

  • 8320 is Aunt Nancy

  • 8321 is Thomas

  • 8322 is Mary

  • 8323 is Cassina