Visiting Midway Historic District
Liberty County, Georgia, is one of the oldest counties in Georgia, and has a rich, complex history. When slavery became legal in the 1750’s, white rice planters descended from English Puritans brought more than 1500 enslaved African Americans to settle in the Midway area. The planters profited from the labor of the enslaved people and were able to participate in the elite society of early America. The enslaved African Americans were often left alone on the rice plantations with only a single white overseer, and thus were able to retain and develop their unique Geechee culture. Liberty County is also unusually rich in historical records, upon which this site is based.
Whether you have ancestors in Liberty County or not, it is a fascinating place to visit, and an easy day trip from Savannah, Georgia, or from I-95 during a trip elsewhere. The Midway Historic District is only 4 miles from I-95, off Exit 76, and a day trip could easily include several historic sites, which are within a couple of miles of each other.
Dorchester Academy African American Museum
8787 E Oglethorpe Hwy, Midway, GA
From the Georgia State Tourism website: “Dorchester Academy was founded after the Civil War as a school for freed slaves. By 1917, the fully accredited high school had eight frame buildings and 300 students. This African American historic site hosted Dr. Martin Luther King’s planning meetings for his 1963 march on Birmingham. Dorchester Academy is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Landmark in 2006. Martin Luther King Jr. would come to Dorchester to relax, play baseball and rehearse his speeches before giving them during the civil rights movement. The Boys’ Dormitory is still standing, and the room that MLK Jr. slept in is still in the same condition as when he last stepped foot in it. “
The Museum is in a small one-room building on the Academy grounds, and houses a fascinating group of displays developed by Dr. Peggy Hargis of Georgia Southern University about the history of the antebellum and Civil Rights eras. Whether you have African American ancestors from Liberty County or are simply interested in history, you will enjoy it. The Museum is free but donations are appreciated! See the link below for hours and contact information.
Midway Museum and Midway Congregational Church & Cemetery
491 North Coastal Highway, Midway, Ga
When rice planters moved to Midway in the 1750’s, bringing with them about 1500 enslaved African Americans, they established the Midway Congregational Church & Society, which from its earliest days included both white and black members. The original Church building was burned by the British during the Revolutionary War, but was rebuilt in 1792 and that 1792 building still stands. It is considered one of the most scenic landmarks in Georgia, with its simple but compelling architecture. Across the street is the 2-acre cemetery, with the graves of many prominent white Georgians whose descendants, including Theodore Roosevelt, contributed greatly to U.S. history. The Church is not open to visitors except by special arrangement due to its fragility, but the Midway Museum, next door to the Church, tells the story of those rice planters and their famous descendants in a replica of an 18th century rice planter’s home with all original 17th- and 18th-century furnishings, artwork, and artifacts. Knowledgeable docents give an excellent guided tour, and there is a small research library. Check the website for information on hours, tour prices, Midway history, and rental opportunities.
Susie King Taylor Historical Marker
672 North Coastal Highway, Midway, Ga
Geechee Kunda Cultural Center and Museum
622 Ways Temple Rd., Riceboro, Ga
Near Midway, Geechee Kunda is a unique resource established by Jim and Pat Bacote to tell the story of Georgia’s African American Geechee people. Filled with original Geechee artifacts, artwork, tools, and textiles from the 1700’s to 1900’s, and located on a former rice plantation, Geechee Kunda is a deeply impactful place to visit. Unfortunately, with founder Jim Bacote’s recent death, it is no longer open with regular hours, so be sure to call ahead if you plan to visit. It is open on special occasions throughout the year so you may want to plan your visit to Midway around those, if possible.
Places to Stay and Eat
During your visit, eat nearby at Melody’s Cafe, Captain Joe’s or Angie’s Diner. Midway is an easy day trip from any Savannah or Hinesville hotel, or, for a special occasion, stay at the historic Dunham Farms Country Inn, where the owners are deeply knowledgeable about Liberty County history.