Jekyll Island Club Stables

Jekyll Island Club Stables. From Hay to History Museum. , From the beginning of the Jekyll Island Club, members realized they would need stables on the island for the use of its members and staff. In 1887, landscape architect H.W.S. Cleveland suggested plans for a stable to be located behind the Clubhouse. The first known stable for the Club was built in 1888. , The stable initially housed the animals that helped island employees conduct the work of the island, including transporting luggage, pulling the island's "fire engine," and moving cottages. , Many Club members and guests alike also brought their own horses, buggies, and coachmen to the island, and soon more space was needed. , Plans for the existing stable building began in 1897. Club member Henry Hyde recruited the services of New York Architect Charles Gifford. Gifford's original sketch for the stables had a total of 71 stalls, 48 carriage spaces, quarters for stablemen, and room for future expansions. , Twelve people owned a total of 46 stalls, including J.P. Morgan, Gordon McKay, Joseph Stickney, A. S. Van Wickle, Cornelius Bliss, James J. Hill, William Rockefeller, Robert C. Pruyn, James A. Scrymser, John Magee, William Struthers, and Joseph Pulitzer. , The purpose of the stables changed several times. With the growth in automobile use, the stables were converted into a garage by the 1910s. In 1955, the stables were converted into a hardware store. , In 1987 the Jekyll Island Museum moved to the stables. It was renovated and reopened as Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum in 2019. , Did you know? The initials of Club Members and horse stall numbers are still visible on the walls. There is also some hardware including the hay feeder, hitching hardware rings, and bridle hooks on posts. The hayloft, used for storage of horse feed, can still be seen along with an original stall with a horse!