Okefenokee Heritage Center, Inc.

The Okefenokee Heritage Center is a cultural art center and regional history museum for all people, which seeks to promote an appreciation of the arts and an increased understanding of history and development of the Okefenokee region through its cultural and educational programs, collections, and exhibitions.  

Mrs. Susan Lott Clark wanted to have a place for her children to expand their education and her community to participate in cultural events. With the help of her community, in May 1975, the “First Day at the Heritage Center” was held to inaugurate the building which housed exhibits on the arts and history. Partnerships with the City of Waycross allowed the Okefenokee Area Museum to become a permanent structure and fixture of our community. Situated on 16 acres of beautiful park land the Okefenokee Heritage Center, Inc. was born. We are now an educational,  cultural arts and historic center and museum for the entire region.

We offer a variety of artistic and cultural programming throughout the year, including:  Artist of the Month Exhibitions in our rotating art gallery,  8 OHC Guilds including creative writing, photography, art, quilting, history, genealogy, Black History and WayGreen which hosts the Local Fare Market.  We provide Children’s Summer Art and Drama Camps, art classes, music lessons for all ages across multiple instruments, dramatic performances, and more. 

Some of the exhibits which are premiered on the OHC Campus include: 

"Okefenokee Chief" ~ Featuring "Old Nine"  locomotive, passenger car, mail/baggage car and red caboose. 

"Old Nine Locomotive" ~ Tour a restored 1912 Baldwin steam locomotive with coal tender

"Railroad Depot & Warehouse" ~ Contains local railroad history, exhibits and conductors office.  

"Hilliard House" ~  1824 dog-trot style home of Capt. Thomas Hilliard, and oldest standing home in Ware County 

"From These Roots" ~ Experience the regional African-American legacy

"Native-American" ~ Discover Native-American artifacts and local cultures.

"Founder's Hall" ~ Trace the settling and development of the area from the early 19th Century

"Gram Parsons" ~ Learn about a Waycross native turned rock star.

"Waycross Journal-Herald" ~ View the original flat-bed press.

Due to various low-income areas in our region, most activities are free to the public, and while we make every effort to create new ideas toward expanding our audience and attracting members, volunteers, and participants, we still face financial concerns about the continued operations, preservation of our exhibits and maintenance of our facility.