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Dungeness (Cumberland Island, Georgia)
Encyclopedia
Dungeness on Cumberland Island
, Georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in American history. James Oglethorpe
first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness. The next Dungeness was designed by Revolutionary War hero Nathaniel Greene
, who had acquired 11000 acres (44.5 km²) of island land in exchange for a bad debt. His widow built a four-story tabby
mansion in 1803 on a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812
the island was occupied by the British, who used the house as a headquarters. In 1818 Henry Lee III, known as Lighthorse Harry Lee and father of Robert E. Lee
, stayed at the house until his death, and was buried there for a time. This house was abandoned during the U.S. Civil War and burned in 1866.
In the 1880s the property was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie
, brother of Andrew Carnegie
, who began to build a new mansion on the site. The 59-room Queen Anne style
mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886. His wife Lucy continued to live at Dungeness and built other estates for her children including, Greyfield for Margaret Carnegie, Plum Orchard
for George Lauder Carnegie, and Stafford Plantation
. By this time, the Carnegies owned 90% of the island.
The Carnegies moved out of Dungeness in 1925. In 1959 the Dungeness mansion was destroyed by fire, alleged to be arson
. The ruins are today preserved by the National Park Service
as part of Cumberland Island National Seashore
. They were acquired by the Park Service in 1972.
The main house comprises a portion of the larger historic district, which includes servant's quarters, utility buildings, laundries, cisterns and a variety of other structures. The district forms a planned, landscaped ensemble. The most significant supporting structure is the Tabby House or Nathaniel Greene Cottage, which dates to the Greene family's tenure.
Cumberland Island
Cumberland Island is one of the Sea Islands. Cumberland is the largest in terms of continuously exposed land area of Georgia's barrier islands. It is located on the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of the U.S. state of Georgia and is part of Camden County...
, Georgia, is a ruined mansion that is part of a historic district that was the home of several families significant in American history. James Oglethorpe
James Oglethorpe
James Edward Oglethorpe was a British general, member of Parliament, philanthropist, and founder of the colony of Georgia...
first built on Cumberland Island in 1736, building a hunting lodge that he named Dungeness. The next Dungeness was designed by Revolutionary War hero Nathaniel Greene
Nathaniel Greene
Nathaniel Greene may refer to:*Nathanael Greene , American Revolutionary War general*Nathaniel Greene , American journalist...
, who had acquired 11000 acres (44.5 km²) of island land in exchange for a bad debt. His widow built a four-story tabby
Tabby (cement)
Tabby is a building material consisting of lime, sand, water, and crushed oyster shells. It was developed and used by English colonists in Beaufort County and on the Sea Islands of coastal South Carolina, in coastal Georgia, and in northern Florida in the Southern United States...
mansion in 1803 on a Timucuan shell mound. During the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
the island was occupied by the British, who used the house as a headquarters. In 1818 Henry Lee III, known as Lighthorse Harry Lee and father of Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
, stayed at the house until his death, and was buried there for a time. This house was abandoned during the U.S. Civil War and burned in 1866.
In the 1880s the property was purchased by Thomas M. Carnegie
Thomas M. Carnegie
Thomas Morrison Carnegie was a Scottish-born American industrialist. He was the brother of steel magnate Andrew Carnegie, and co-founder of the Edgar Thomson Steel Works .-Early life:...
, brother of Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie
Andrew Carnegie was a Scottish-American industrialist, businessman, and entrepreneur who led the enormous expansion of the American steel industry in the late 19th century...
, who began to build a new mansion on the site. The 59-room Queen Anne style
Queen Anne Style architecture (United States)
In America, the Queen Anne style of architecture, furniture and decorative arts was popular in the United States from 1880 to 1910. In American usage "Queen Anne" is loosely used of a wide range of picturesque buildings with "free Renaissance" details rather than of a specific formulaic style in...
mansion and grounds were completed after Carnegie's death in 1886. His wife Lucy continued to live at Dungeness and built other estates for her children including, Greyfield for Margaret Carnegie, Plum Orchard
Plum Orchard
Plum Orchard is an estate located in the middle of the western shore of Cumberland Island, Georgia. The estate and surrounding area are listed on the National Register of Historic Places....
for George Lauder Carnegie, and Stafford Plantation
Stafford Plantation
The Stafford Plantation was established on Cumberland Island, Georgia, by Robert Stafford in the early 19th century. Stafford acquired portions of lands belonging to General Nathaniel Greene through auction, and continued to assemble former Greene family lands so that by 1830 Stafford controlled ...
. By this time, the Carnegies owned 90% of the island.
The Carnegies moved out of Dungeness in 1925. In 1959 the Dungeness mansion was destroyed by fire, alleged to be arson
Arson
Arson is the crime of intentionally or maliciously setting fire to structures or wildland areas. It may be distinguished from other causes such as spontaneous combustion and natural wildfires...
. The ruins are today preserved by the National Park Service
National Park Service
The National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
as part of Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island National Seashore
Cumberland Island National Seashore preserves most of Cumberland Island in Camden County, Georgia, the largest of Georgia's Golden Isles. The seashore features beaches and dunes, marshes, and freshwater lakes...
. They were acquired by the Park Service in 1972.
External links
- Dungeness, Cumberland Island, Cumberland Island, Camden County, GA: 6 photos, 4 data pages, at Historic American Building Survey
- General Nathaniel Greene Cottage, Cumberland Island, Cumberland Island, Camden County, GA: 3 drawings, 4 photos, 3 data pages, at Historic American Building Survey