OHC NEWSLETTERS

July, Aug and Sept 2026
“Elvis Returns”
By Elizabeth Pond
Elvis Presley will soon be back in Waycross. The Okefenokee Her-itage Center is commemorating the 70th anniversary of “The King’s” February 22, 1956, Waycross appearance with a special presentation. OHC is bringing Elvis Tribute Artist and Georgia native Jordan Poole to the CC McCray City Auditorium on Saturday, September 26, for an evening of old-time rock and roll. Poole, who hails from Sylvester, has won several awards for his portrayal of Presley, most recently being named the 2025 Tupelo Ultimate Elvis Champion in the birthplace of Elvis Presley, Tupelo, Mississippi.

April, May and June 2026 Jackson’s Folly
By Jessica Bennett
In the late nineteenth century, an ambitious plan was devised to tame one of the most mysterious landscapes in the American South—the Okefenokee Swamp. Located in southeastern Georgia, the vast wetland had long been regarded by locals as a place that resisted human control. Yet in 1889, investors and lawmakers believed they could transform it into a profitable enterprise. What followed became one of the most notable failures
in the region’s history, remembered as “Jackson’s Folly.” …

Jan, Feb and March 2026
Okefenokee Heritage Center In Review
By EJ Pond

2025 was a rewarding, exciting, and memorable year that saw the OHC celebrate a landmark anniversary, receive a highly prestigious cultural award, and install striking new signage. Among the components of the center, art is among the driving forces of OHC. …

October, November, and December 2025
The Waycross Post Office Building: A Century of Service & History
By Kemberly Stephens-Cone

Did you know that the handsome brick building at 605 Elizabeth Street once stood at the very heart of Waycross’s civic life? For more than six decades, it served as both Post Office and U.S. District Courthouse, a hub for communication, justice, and the growing rail-town community. …

July, August and Sept 2025
50th Anniversary
The Okefenokee Heritage Center celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday evening, May 31st, with a Golden Bowl Celebration. In true OHC spirit, the evening was family-friendly, casual, and tailored toward community connections.

April, May and June 2025
The Unusual Story of the Okefenokee Heritage Center and Southern Forest World,
written by Susan Lott Clark
(Article abridged by Carla Cornett)

An appreciation for the arts in their various forms – visual, music, and drama – first gave support to having the Okefenokee Heritage Center. We recognized the importance for cultural enrichment and enhancing the quality of life in this area.