Liberty County: History, Museums and Nature

Liberty County brings together historic sites and museums with nature and water experiences. Its attractions range from colonial traces in Sunbury to places devoted to African American and military history, as well as tide-influenced wetlands. If you’re looking for a hotel in Liberty County, your interests can guide your travel plans: Would you rather explore historic sites and collections, or spend time on trails and by the water?

Historic Traces and Sites

Fort Morris State Historic Site brings the history of Sunbury’s colonial port and the town to life in several ways: visitors can walk along the well-preserved original earthen walls, while a museum and film explore the port and the history of Sunbury. The traces on the grounds are complemented by an account that explains the historical context.

LeConte-Woodmanston also combines history with a garden visit. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the Coastal Georgia Birding Trail. Self-guided garden tours are available. The LeConte-Woodmanston Plantation and Botanical Garden National Historic Site is currently open to the public daily for hiking. As conditions on-site may change, check the latest access information before your visit.

Midway Congregational Church and the adjoining cemetery were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. The oldest of the 34 surviving headstones in Sunbury Cemetery dates to 1788. The cemetery is also the final resting place of several of the first residents of coastal Georgia. These details give the region’s history specific names and dates.

Dorchester Academy is one of eleven stops on Georgia’s U.S. Civil Rights Trail. Today, it serves as a museum of African American history and a community center. The Old Liberty County Jail, meanwhile, is one of the earliest brick buildings in Hinesville and likely in Liberty County as well. Tours of the jail can be arranged by appointment; confirm access options in advance.

Museums, Collections, and Changing Exhibitions

At the Midway Museum, exhibits, documents, and furnishings tell the story of homes in coastal Georgia that were used from the colonial era through the beginning of the Civil War. The museum building’s architecture also fits this historical context: it is an elevated cottage-style building, typical of 18th-century plantation homes.

The 3rd Infantry Division Museum has more than 14,000 square feet of space. An interactive gallery explores the transformation of Camp Stewart into Fort Stewart. For another perspective on the history of technology, visit the ITPA Telephone Museum, whose extensive collection includes telephones and telephone equipment from throughout the history of telecommunications. The ITPA National Office and Museum moved from Washington, D.C., to Hinesville in 2001.

Exhibitions at the Hinesville Area Arts Council Gallery change monthly. The gallery hosts a monthly reception for artists to mark the opening of a new exhibition. As exhibition schedules may change, it’s a good idea to check the latest dates in advance.

Water, Trails, and Nature

For a feel for the landscape, visit the Cay Creek Wetlands Interpretive Center: it is an example of tide-influenced freshwater wetlands and provides habitat for birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects. At the Historic Baptismal Trail, a boardwalk runs along a hiking trail; benches, picnic tables, and information panels are also available. A lookout tower on the boardwalk offers sweeping views of the surrounding area.

Sunbury Boat Ramp is a public boat ramp with direct access to the Intracoastal Waterway. At Jones Creek Park, visitors can launch their kayaks. If you plan to kayak there, check the tides beforehand. Water access and the hiking trail offer different ways to spend time outdoors, so you don’t have to limit yourself to just one kind of outing.

Planning Your Visit

For more ideas, the Liberty County Convention and Visitors Bureau offers area maps, brochures on historic sites, event information, and the official Liberty County magazine. Bryant Commons is currently open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset; park rules and access may change. Check current conditions when planning a visit to the park.

Liberty County is well suited to a trip that brings together different interests: explore history through historic buildings, cemeteries, and museums, or take in a different side of the area at wetlands, on trails, and by the water.

Discover more destinations: Hinesville, Cherokee, Bleckley County, Oconee, Macon County, Tattnall County, Mcintosh, Dougherty County.

For the full travel overview: Georgia.