Hurricane Matthew's damage at Hofwyl-Broadfield won't impede historic Christmas observance Friday and Saturday

BRUNSWICK, GA. | Visitors will walk down a lighted path past old oaks at Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation on Friday and Saturday night to the antebellum plantation house for the state historic site’s 36th annual Christmas celebration.

After Hurricane Matthew, that path is among the few not made impassable by fallen trees.

“That the first thing you see,” site Manager Bill Giles said, “trees on the ground.”

In addition to the stately old farmhouse overlooking what were once rice fields, the park is known for its live oaks and those came through the storm nicely, especially those lining the walkway from the visitor center to the house.

“We did have a live oak down,” Giles said, ”just a lot of laurel oaks, water oaks, pine and a few holly trees,” he said.

But there were so many of them Hofwyl-Broadfield remained closed until 10 days after the storm so that workers could make it safe for the public. The park is not out of the woods yet as all but one of its hiking and nature trails remain closed.

Tommy Turk, who manages District 2 of the State Parks and Historic Sites Division, said recently, “We’re going to need some technical assistance.”

It’s pretty easy to understand why, especially along a still-closed trail along a former rice field dike that leads to an observation tower overlooking the former rice fields.

“The trees on that rice dike blew down and pulled up the dike. We’re still not sure what we’re going to do with that,” Giles said.

The root balls are heavy and, should the trees be cut, the root balls could drop abruptly back into their holes and that could be dangerous, Giles said.

Aside from the path to the house, which will be lit Friday and Saturday night, the only trail open is along the side of the marsh. But all of that is out of the way of the visitors who come by the hundreds for the park’s two biggest nights of the year.

Garden club volunteers have decorated the plantation house with cedar boughs, holly, magnolia and other natural decorations, all of which will be lighted with kerosene lamps and candles Friday and Saturday night from 6 until 9. Interpreters in Civil War-era clothing will share stories of the plantation while re-enactors camped on the grounds will stage a pre-war Christmas muster, Giles said.

There will be hot wassail, cookies, live music and Christmas carolers at the house.

Hofwyl-Broadfield has strong ties to the war. Capt. George Dent, who built the house, formed the Glynn Guards before the Civil War, but the unit was sent to St. Simons as an artillery unit once the war started, Giles said.

The re-enactors will have their muskets and three cannons. In recent years, the cannons have spouted flames and sparks for about 100 feet when they are touched off.

Santa Claus will make his annual appearance by the fireplace although he, too, may be a re-enactor.

The historic site will also make up an event that Hurricane Matthew postponed. The annual car show that was to have been the weekend the storm brushed past will be held Saturday from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Admission both nights is $10 for adults, $5 for those 6-17 and free for those 5 and younger. Visitors are encouraged to bring flashlights, dress appropriately for the weather and to stay on designated walkways.

The park is off U.S. 17 eight miles north of Brunswick and 5 miles south of Darien. It is also a mile east of Exit 42 off Interstate 95.

For more information call (912) 264-7333.

Terry Dickson: (912) 264-0405