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Travel
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
The ancestors of West African slaves known as Geechee, remain on Sapelo Island, Georgia. The slaves were brought to work the plantation of Thomas Spaulding in the early 1800s. Isolated over time to the Southeast's barrier islands, the Geechee of Georgia and Florida, also known as Gullah in the Carolinas, have retained their African traditions more than many other African American communities in the U.S.
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
Sapelo Island's Geechee culture in peril
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Stephen Wilson, 68, walks onto the front porch of his home that his father built in the Hog Hammock community of Sapelo Island, Ga. on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. "Dad built this house with his labor. Every time I put the key in the door, I remember coming home as a child saying, 'Hi, papa. Hi, mama.' It has a lot of remembrance." Wilson is one of roughly 47 residents, most of them descendants of West African slaves known as Geechee, who remain on the coastal Georgia island where their ancestors were brought to work a plantation in the early 1800s. Isolated over time to the Southeast's barrier islands, the Geechee of Georgia and Florida, otherwise known as Gullah in the Carolinas, have retained their African traditions more than other African American communities in the U.S. Once freed, the slaves were able to acquire land and created settlements on the island, of which only the tiny 464-acre Hog Hammock community still exists. Eight children catch a ferry every morning to attend school on the mainland since the last school operating on the island closed in 1978. Residents say a sudden tax hike, lack of jobs, and development is endangering one of the last remaining Geechee communities from Florida to North Carolina.

Today’s Gallery Headlines

Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. celebrates with teammates after scoring on an RBI single by Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Truist Park, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Atlanta. Atlanta Braves won 7-3 over New York Yankees. (Hyosub Shin / AJC)
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Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

PHOTOS: Braves take opener against Yankees

The Braves opened the second half of the season with a 7-3 win over the Yankees on July 18 at Truist Park.

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The Stanley Cup made an appearance at Johnny's Hideaway on Tuesday, July 15. (Credit: Brandon Amato, courtesy of Johnny's Hideaway)
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Credit: Brandon Amato

PHOTOS: The Stanley Cup took a tour of Atlanta

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, known as the world's busiest airport,  celebrates 100 years. (Arvin Temkar / AJC)
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Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

PHOTOS: Hartsfield-Jackson over the years

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Internation Airport celebrates 100 years of operation.

The National League's Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Atlanta Braves is introduced for the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Jason Getz/AJC)
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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

PHOTOS: 2025 MLB All-Star Game ends in swing-off

MLB stars in the American League and the National League showed out at Truist Park on Tuesday night.

Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale waves at fans at the 2025 MLB All-Star Red Carpet Show at The Battery in Atlanta ahead of the game on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)
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PHOTOS: Atlanta rolls out the red carpet for MLB All-Star Game

The All-Star Red Carpet Show was held at The Battery Atlanta on the afternoon before the 2025 MLB All-Star Game.

University of Georgia football coach Kirby Smart speaks at a press conference at SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

PHOTOS: SEC Media Days in Atlanta

The Southeastern Conference's annual media days event is being held this week in Atlanta, with coaches and players from every SEC school meeting with various members of the me...

Victoria Staples poses for a photo outside of Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the last day of Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter” tour on Monday, July 14, 2025. (Natrice Miller/ AJC)
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PHOTOS: Beyoncé fans embrace cowboy culture for Atlanta shows

This Ain't Texas, it's Atlanta. Beyoncé fans put on their spin on cowboy fashion for the music icon's "Cowboy Carter Tour."

Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson hits a home run during the MLB Home Run Derby as part of the All-Star Game festivities on Monday, July 14, 2025 at Truist Park in Atlanta.   Jason Getz / AJC
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Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

PHOTOS: 2025 Home Run Derby in Atlanta

A day before Tuesday night's MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, fans turned out at Truist Park for this year's Home Run Derby.