Mission Statement
Tybee Island Historical Society
The Mission of the Tybee Island Historical Society is to preserve, develop, and promote the historic resources and legacy of Tybee Island to the benefit of our community, future generations, and nation as a whole by:
Restoring, interpreting, preserving, maintaining, and effectively operating the Tybee Island Light Station, Museum, and all ancillary sites and exhibits; Collecting, preserving, storing, and exhibiting artifacts, documents, photographs, digital records, and images and other archival materials relevant to the cultural, military, maritime, and architectural heritage of Tybee Island; and working with and providing expertise to the City of Tybee Island and community organizations to preserve and promote Tybee’s historic legacy.
Historical Society Staff
Joe Porterfield
​
Grounds Supervisor
Michael Poole
​
Preservation Specialist & Buildings Supervisor
Pat Austin
Staff
Gift Shop
Joanne Simpson
Staff
Gift Shop
Staff
Katelyn Jones
Gift Shop
Staff
Board of Directors
Hope Barton, President
Allen Lewis, Vice President
Raynette Evans, Secretary
Bill Blakey, Treasurer
​
Jane Alexander
Ron Bossick
Beth Hodges
Elisa Schmidt
Jeff Schroll
Martha Makel
​
​
The Tybee Museum was established in 1961 by The Tybee Island Museum Association. The Association is now known as The Tybee Island Historical Society, a non-profit organization which also operates The Tybee Island Light Station in addition to the Tybee Museum. The purpose of the Museum is the same today as it was in 1961 - to interpret the rich history of Tybee Island.