More than a thousand visitors attended grand opening festivities on April 27 for Mosaic, and since then thousands more have experienced the reimagined Jekyll Island museum. The $3.1 million redesign and restoration of the museum includes interactive exhibits that explore the cultural and natural history of the island, while preserving the important architectural details of the 122-year-old former Jekyll Island Club stable in which it is located. The Jekyll Island Foundation drove the fundraising efforts for Mosaic, which began nearly five years ago.
Having a photo taken next to the striking Jekyll Mosaic sign on the museum’s lawn has become a new tradition for island visitors. Once inside the museum, visitors can slide behind the wheel of a 1947 Studebaker, listen to vintage tunes on the radio, and imagine crossing the causeway to the newly opened Jekyll Island State Park in the 1950s. Children enjoy climbing aboard a replica of a yawl, a Colonial era sailing vessel, and into an oversized eagle’s nest where they can try on felt eagle masks and feathered capes.
Adults are drawn to displays of luxury items once owned by Jekyll Island Club members. Visitors of all ages can’t resist taking a ride on a red “bug” via an exhibit that captures the thrill of driving around the island in a small, go-cart-like roadster popular in the early 1900s when traditional motorcars were prohibited. Mosaic guides visitors through the fascinating history of the island, beginning with the Native American era through the 1960s.
After exploring the museum gallery, visitors can browse the expanded gift shop and reserve a tram tour of the National Historic Landmark District. Mosaic gallery admission is included with the Landmark Tour and a new combination ticket includes museum and Georgia Sea Turtle Center admission.
Mosaic’s tack room has hosted several natural history and environmental lectures, but an additional space remains to be constructed. Phase II of Mosaic will include a covered outdoor pavilion that will be used for educational and special programming. The Jekyll Island Foundation invites you to contribute to this second phase, which will provide a well-rounded experience for the history and ecology education offered at Mosaic. For more information, to view renderings, or to donate, click here.
