Dreams of freedom whispered on the wind shaped Pin Point. This Pin Point Community Plaque marks a place of resilience. It honors a community founded by freed people after slavery’s abolishment.
Pin Point emerged in the 1890s. People from Ossabaw, Green, and Skidaway Islands settled here. They sought new beginnings. They built a life rooted in their heritage. The Pin Point Community is located 11 miles southeast of Savannah.
Sweetfield of Eden Baptist Church became a cornerstone. Founded in 1897 it served as both church and school. Education was vital. In 1926 a Rosenwald school was built. This improved educational opportunities for African American children. They had previously been denied equal access.
The location was carefully chosen. Pin Point sits on Shipyard Creek a branch of the Moon River. Marshes and oak trees define the landscape. Crabs and oysters thrived here. These resources provided livelihoods. Canning became a major industry from the 1920s to the 1980s. The A.S. Varn and Sons seafood cannery employed many.
Pin Point has maintained its Gullah community. These people have preserved West African cultural connections. Gullah is a unique English-based creole language. It is spoken here. The Pin Point Community became a place where traditions thrived.
Clarence Thomas was born in Pin Point. He is a Supreme Court Justice. He spoke Gullah as a child also known as Geechee. Thomas acknowledges his upbringing shaped him.
The Pin Point Heritage Museum stands as a testament. It is located in the old Varn and Sons cannery. Exhibits celebrate Gullah Geechee culture. They highlight the community’s history.
The Pin Point Community plaque stands for more than just a place. It represents a legacy of self-sufficiency. It embodies cultural preservation. It shows resistance to erasure. The people of Pin Point have protected their heritage. They pass it down through generations. They keep the spirit of their ancestors alive. They continue to call Pin Point home.