Exchange Club of Waycross attendees heard an engaging presentation from Carla Cornett and Leslie Ranew of the Okefenokee Heritage Center, who highlighted the wide range of activities, exhibits, and community programs currently underway at the long-standing cultural institution.
Founded in 1975, the center has become a cornerstone of South Georgia’s historical and cultural preservation. Its mission is simple, but vital — to safeguard the stories, artifacts and traditions which define the Okefenokee region and the people who have called it home.
Through rotating exhibits, educational programs and special events, the center continues to serve as a gathering place where history is not only remembered, but actively shared.
Cornett and Ranew emphasized the center’s ongoing efforts to connect the community with its roots — from local art and genealogy resources to historical displays tracing the evolution of the region’s culture and industries. They also highlighted upcoming events designed to bring families, students, and visitors deeper into the story of South Georgia.
Among the many narratives preserved at the Heritage Center is that of Lydia Crews Stone, a beloved naturalist and storyteller whose life’s work helped generations appreciate the beauty and fragility of the Okefenokee Swamp.
Growing up in the region, Stone developed a profound bond with the swamp’s wildlife and landscapes. Her storytelling and educational outreach helped countless people see the Okefenokee not merely as a wilderness, but as a living, breathing part of the community’s identity.
The Heritage Center continues that legacy. Through exhibits, interpretive programs, and community partnerships, it invites visitors to experience the swamp and its history with the same sense of wonder that Stone inspired.
As Cornett and Ranew noted, the center remains committed to ensuring that the stories of the Okefenokee — its people, its culture, and its natural heritage — are preserved for future generations.
