2nd Assistant Keeper’s Cottage

This building was constructed first as a confederate barracks in 1861. Union forces occupied the Tybee Light Station during the War Between the States and the building served as Union Headquarters on Tybee Island. In 1867 the building underwent the first of several major modifications. The 2nd Assistant Keeper was assigned to this cottage.

 

 

Rehabilitation

The rehabilitation of the 2nd Assistant Keeper’s Cottage took over 4 years to complete.  This building has had many of the historical details restored. The heart pine floors still show the ghosts line of walls that once stood on the interior and have not been replaced. The ghost lines document four rooms in the earlier floor plan; a living room on the east end, a central hallway running north to south and two small bedrooms on the west side of the cottage.  By rehabilitating the building instead of restoring it the Tybee Island Historical Society has been able to create the ideal space for viewing the video on the history of the Light Station while still keeping the historic feel and accuracy of the building in place.

 

.