The Ashantilly
Center
Darien, GA
A Project by Caleb King
The Ashantilly Center
“Preserving Georgia’s Coastal Heritage”
The Ashantilly Center in Darien, Georgia is a cultural hub on the
Georgia coast. Built in the late eighteenth century by Thomas Spalding
as a mainland winter home, it has changed over the years but the spirit
and the history of the home remain very much alive.
The Mission Statement of The Ashantilly Center:
“To organize and implement a program of conservation, including Ashantilly propHUW\DQGLWVOHJDF\WRSURYLGHDYHKLFOHIRUFRQWLQXLQJHGXFDWLRQVFLHQWL¿FDGYDQFHPHQW
and charitable endeavor, which focus on the natural and built environments integral to the
Georgia coast.”
Goals of The Ashantilly Center:
Project Program:
- Restore the historical character of the site by rebuilding features such
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- Provide infrastructure to support events by designing outdoor
restrooms, visitor parking, utility connections on the lawn, lighting, and
storage space for the center.
- Provide educational opportunities for schools and the public by
creating an interpretive historical garden and demonstration space.
-Provide opportunities for research on site by creating habitat and
preserving the coastal ecosystems, creating historical demonstration areas,
and utilizing historical bulding practices.
- Promote Georgia Coastal heritage and history
- Conserve the coastal ecosystems
- Conserve local cultural practices
- Promote research of historical practices and new technologies
Front of House
The Ashantilly Foundation was created in 1996 by William G.
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a volunteer board of directors and maintained through donations and
event admissions. The Center hold many cultural and historical events,
as well as workshops involving the Ashantilly Printing Press.
Back of House
Formal Fountain Remnants
Ashantilly History
House is built by Thomas Spalding as a winter
home and jointure for his wife Sarah. The house
is built with tabby, a material containing oyster
shells that Spalding had perfected.
1820
1870
The Haynes family purchase
Ashantilly as a place to collect art
and other historical items.
1918
1937
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the tabby core of the house.
The Wilcox/Middleton family buys
Ashantilly from Thomas Spalding’s son,
Charles Spalding. They modernize the
house and add a hip roof and loggias
connecting the wings.
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expanded, a gabled roof and a third story
are built, and a rear staircase is added.
1950’s
1996
The Ashantilly Center Inc. is formed by
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dedicated to preserving the legacy of the
house.
Vicinity Map & Visitor Potential
The city of Darien, Georgia is centrally located among
a population of over 600,000 people along the Georgia
coast.
Some of the major hubs within an hour drive of Darien include Savannah, Jesup, Brunswick,
and St. Mary’s. By focusing on Georgia’s coastal heritage, Ashantilly and the city of Darien
can be an attraction for the entire coastal population.
Printing Press Workshop
Local Events Inventory
The city of Darien, GA is a small coastal town with big cultural traditions. The people of Darien trace
their roots back to rich cultural pools such as Scottish Highlanders and Gullah-Geechee peoples. Because of
this, many festivals and events occur throughout the year to celebrate this heritage. The largest of the events
is the “Blessing of the Fleet” held every April to kick of the local shrimping season. This multi-day event can
draw in over 30,000 people. Other events such as a fall festival, art shows, and historical reenactments have a
smaller crowd.
The Ashantilly Center also holds its own events throughout the year which focus on local history and the
Ashantilly press. The annual Ice Cream Churn Off every Labor day weekend, and the Scottish Heritage festival
in March see the largest crowds.
In order to ensure the continued success and growth of these events, it is important not to overlap, but
instead, supplement throughout the year so there is a constant draw to the city. The graph below compares
the number of regularly scheduled events held by the City of Darien and by Ashantilly. By increasing events at
Ashantilly when there are fewer Municipal events, the number of visitors can be maximized.
Ashantilly Center Inc., Facebook Page
Darien Fall Festival
Ashantilly Churn Off
www.cityofdarienga.com
Blessing Of The Fleet
Data based on calendars from Mcintosh Co. Chamber of Commerce and from Ashantilly Center Inc.
Ashantilly Center Inc., Facebook Page
www.americathebeautiful.com
Regional Trail Connections
Within close proximity to The Ashantilly Center, there are three regional trail systems. These trails, all part of a larger
network, convey thousands of people along the coast every year on multiple forms of transportation. This provides a
unique opportunity to connect with these trails and draw in visitors.
SOUTHEAST COAST PADDLING TRAIL
This series of saltwater paddling trails
stretches for over 800 miles up the
Atlantic coast from Florida to Virginia
and provides a path for adventurous
kayakers and canoers. Travelers typically embark on multi-day journeys,
stopping to camp at designated spots
along the way.
COASTAL GEORGIA GREENWAY
This 450 mile trail system provides passage along the entire Georgia coast for
travelers on foot, bicycle, or horseback.
It connects Florida to South Carolina
and it connects to the larger East Coast
Greenway system.
COLONIAL COAST BIRDING TRAIL
This trail, along existing roadways,
connects local historic sites and designated birding areas. Over 300 species
of birds can be spotted along the trail
throughout the year. This trail celebrates Georgia’s native coastal habitat
and local cultures.
Site Inventory
Existing Site Conditions
Vegetation Cover
Initial Concepts
Ashantilly Entrance Gate
View of Entrance Gate
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blocks and are coated with a crushed tabby shell stucco reminiscent of
the house and other historical structures on the Georgia coast.
Guests are welcomed to the site with a new and improved entrance. A new sign set on an island attracts
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structures take the form of two gently curving walls on
either side of the driveway with locally made iron gates
for security.
Guest Parking
There are three proposed parking areas for the Ashantilly Center.
The main parking lot is centrally located and is constructed of porous
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parking option is a crushed shell aggregate lot that can be used as
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Spalding Garden. The last parking area is another crushed shell lot
mainly for buses and larger vehicles. This lot is located along the road
near the exit only gate.
Detail Site Plan
View of Event Barn
Section of Spalding Garden