A first-of-its-kind site will soon be open in Bluffton: the Gullah Culture Heritage Center.It’s a project that’s been in the works for five years.”It’s a collective effort of something that I know the community is going to enjoy and appreciate,” said Bridgette Frazier, founder of the Bluffton Gullah Culture Heritage Center.The two-acre site will house four buildings: a Heritage center, restaurant, bakery, as well as a market and event space. Visitors will have the opportunity to get hands-on by taking sweet grass weaving or quilt-making classes.They’ll also have the chance to attend a lecture series to learn more about topics like cast net making and oystermen. “Until recently, really, it’s sparked a lot of interest and curiosity. But the culture has existed since the enslavement of West Africans who were brought to this country back in the 1700s. And it’s important for us to be able to have an opportunity to be able to celebrate and even highlight the culture has made,” Frazier said.The property will also house this twin bottle tree exhibit, the largest and tallest ever crafted in the U.S. by a Gullah ironsmith.The trees stand 15 feet tall and have five limbs, each one housing 75 bottles.”The importance of bottle trees in Gullah culture is showing our connection to the spirit world, which holds a very sacred premise for us,” Frazier said.As a fifth-generation Gullah descendant herself, Frazier says she’s thrilled for people from all walks of life to be able to experience this culture through food, stories, crafts, fashion and more.”We want to be a reminder that Gullah culture is not dying. It’s not forgotten. And it’s a place that will be able to give credit to those who’ve been invisible for quite some time,” Frazier said. The Gullah Culture Heritage Center is located at 1255 May River Road in Old Town Bluffton.Its grand opening is set for Juneteenth.
A first-of-its-kind site will soon be open in Bluffton: the Gullah Culture Heritage Center.
It’s a project that’s been in the works for five years.
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“It’s a collective effort of something that I know the community is going to enjoy and appreciate,” said Bridgette Frazier, founder of the Bluffton Gullah Culture Heritage Center.
The two-acre site will house four buildings: a Heritage center, restaurant, bakery, as well as a market and event space.
Visitors will have the opportunity to get hands-on by taking sweet grass weaving or quilt-making classes.
They’ll also have the chance to attend a lecture series to learn more about topics like cast net making and oystermen.
“Until recently, really, it’s sparked a lot of interest and curiosity. But the culture has existed since the enslavement of West Africans who were brought to this country back in the 1700s. And it’s important for us to be able to have an opportunity to be able to celebrate and even highlight the culture has made,” Frazier said.
The property will also house this twin bottle tree exhibit, the largest and tallest ever crafted in the U.S. by a Gullah ironsmith.
The trees stand 15 feet tall and have five limbs, each one housing 75 bottles.
“The importance of bottle trees in Gullah culture is showing our connection to the spirit world, which holds a very sacred premise for us,” Frazier said.
As a fifth-generation Gullah descendant herself, Frazier says she’s thrilled for people from all walks of life to be able to experience this culture through food, stories, crafts, fashion and more.
“We want to be a reminder that Gullah culture is not dying. It’s not forgotten. And it’s a place that will be able to give credit to those who’ve been invisible for quite some time,” Frazier said.
The Gullah Culture Heritage Center is located at 1255 May River Road in Old Town Bluffton.
Its grand opening is set for Juneteenth.
Check out was real simple, can't wait for the tote bag