OUR MISSION AND HISTORY
Seek justice, have faith, and promote unity.
The mission of the Direct Descendants of Harris Neck Community is to pass on the history of the African American Gullah Geechee people that made up the Harris Neck community before the Diaspora by the United States Government over 80 years ago through education and connection.
The history of the Harris Neck community demonstrates how effectively they managed the environment, ecology, and farming.
Moreover, the mission is to highlight the history of the clothes makers, business owners, and educators, while conveying the cultural and spiritual significance of the Harris Neck Community, its land, and its heritage.
It is our hope that through connecting families and preserving history, the Harris Neck Community will continue to thrive.
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The Direct Descendants of Harris Neck Community (DDHNC) was organized on November 30, 2019 by the current President of the organization, Frances Timmons Lewis. It was formed in order to build a stronger Harris Neck Community by establishing and displaying the full truth and historical facts of the once successful Harris Neck Community that began in 1867 and continued to build an independent and prosperous community that promoted Christianity, education, and business and land ownership that was predominantly African American.
Lastly, the DDHNC wanted to embrace the protection for wildlife and ecology through conservation efforts in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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DDHNC has a rich history and a bright future.
We plan to continue to advocate for our community as well as bring people together through events.
DDHNC Timeline
Nov 30, 2019
Formation of the Direct Descendants of Harris Neck Community (DDHNC) by President Frances Timmons Lewis
June 2020
Will Meeks is assigned as the Project Leader of the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuge Complex. Will was instrumental in fostering the relationship between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Harris Neck Community.
Oct 30, 2020
The Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service was signed, marking the beginning of the partnership between the community and the USFWS. David Viker was the Regional Chief of the National Wildlife Refuge System in the Southeast and was the signee from the USFWS.
January 2021
Alison Schawrtz is hired as an ACE EPIC/USFWS Intern. Alison offered assistance to the Harris Neck Community and the DDHNC.
April 1, 2021
Darrell Dunham is hired by the DDHNC as a community assistant and communications director.
April 1, 2021
The DDHNC Facebook page is created.
June 2021
Natalie Gardetto is hired by the USFWS as a Directorate Fellowship Program Intern assigned to Harris Neck to provide assistance to the community.
June 25, 2021
DDHNC visits Tiger Bluff for the first time and evaluates remnants of the Timmons house and Timmons Oyster Factory with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Rick Kanaski is the Regional Archaeologist & Regional Historic Preservation Officer and led the efforts for the community to be able to visit Tiger Bluff.
July 25th-27th, 2021
The DDHNC held the First Commemoration of the 1942 Harris Neck Community Diaspora.
October 30, 2021
The DDHNC and the USFWS holds a joint program celebrating the 1st Anniversary of the signing of the MOU.
February 16, 2022
Darrell Dunham is hired as the new ACE EPIC/USFWS Intern. Darrell would still be working with the community while beginning to work with the USFWS.
February 19, 2022
The Georgia Southern Maritime History class led by Dr. Kurt Knoerl surveyed Tiger Bluff w/ the Harris Neck Community as a part of a mapping of Gullah Sites along the Georgia Coast near Savannah.
April 21, 2022
The GSU Maritime History Class presented their mapping of Tiger Bluff and other significant Gullah sites along the SE Georgia Coast at the Jepson Center in Savannah, GA.
May 13, 2022
The DDHNC and the USFWS completed the Harris Neck auto-tour for the Savannah Coastal Wildlife Refuge Complex App. Monica Harris, Amy Ochoa, and Abby Flores led many of the efforts from the USFWS to complete the app.
May 21, 2022
The DDHNC and the University of Georgia Marine Extension & Georgia Sea Grant held a joint program on culturally significant plants in Harris Neck. Mya Timmons and Kayla Brennon are community members that were introduced as interns for the project.
May 21, 2022
The USFWS held a fishing clinic in Harris Neck. Many members of the community volunteered for the event.
June 21, 2022
Gabriela Youngken is hired as the new DFP employee. Gabriela offers support to the USFWS and the Harris Neck Community.
July 24-27, 2022
The DDHNC holds the 2nd Commemoration of the 1942 Harris Neck Community Diaspora.
