One of the eight clusters of barrier islands along the Georgia coast, Cumberland and Little Cumberland and their extensive system of salt marshes between the islands and the mainland protects St. Marys, Kingsland, and other shore communities from hurricanes and less powerful storms. First occupied by _____ Indians, man has interacted with Cumberland since ______ and its history reflects the general historical patterns of the mainland.

Cumberland Island is sparsely settled and has both privately and publicly owned land. Beloved by many for it’s natural beauty and wilderness sections, Cumberland today represents complex environmental issues centered on land use.

The acquisition of Cumberland by the Thomas Carnegie family in 18__ converted much of the island into a seasonal country estate where the owners were in residence only in the fall and early winter. Without a causeway, on public airport and remaining largely in private, Cumberland escaped commercial residential development until 19__ when the Carnegie family entered into an agreement with the National Parks and Cumberland Island National Seashore was established. Large tracts of land remain in private hands and the future development of the island, in both private and public areas, has become a passionate political issue: conflicting visions of the islands future as well as conflicts over whom should determine that future and how. The unifying factor among all groups is the deep love and emotional reactions to the Cumberland experience.