Digest>Archives> Mar/Apr 2014

Remembering Cullen Chambers

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Cullen Chambers in his office at Tybee Island ...

The lighthouse community has lost another dedicated preservationist in the passing of 63-year-old Cullen Chambers, Executive Director of the Georgia’s Tybee Island Historical Society. His sudden death on January 20, 2014 came as shock to all who knew him.

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Tybee Island Lighthouse Station, Tybee Island, ...
Photo by: Steve Hubbell

Cullen Chambers became the Executive Director at Tybee Island Lighthouse in 1994 and led the way in the restoration and preservation of one of America’s most complete, and still fully intact lighthouse stations. Before coming to Tybee Island, he started his lighthouse career as director at Florida’s Key West Lighthouse and from there he went to work at St. Augustine Lighthouse, also in Florida.

Cullen Chambers was well known throughout the lighthouse community as an active preservationist who many lighthouse groups consulted with for their projects and he had traveled extensively to speak about preserving the historic structures. But he was also involved in the restoration and saving of a number of other historic structures. Tybee Island Mayor Jason Buelterman said, “He left a tremendously positive imprint on our island that can be seen in the preservation and restoration of our lighthouse and its grounds, our historic (Tybee) Post Theatre, the Fort Screven guardhouse, and the many raised cottages he helped to save from the wrecking ball. The success Tybee has had in preserving our Island’s heritage and history is in large part thanks to Cullen.”

Although Cullen Chambers had been honored with many awards, he never sought the limelight. Jim Klutz, former president of the Tybee Historical Society said, “He did so many things that he never took credit for; he always let other people take the credit, but there were those of us who were in the know.” Others who had worked with him over the years concurred. However, Henry Gonzales, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Chapter of the U.S. Lighthouse Society, may have summed it up best for the rest of us when he wrote, “Cullen was one of the finest persons I knew. A gentleman, a giver, a humble man of integrity and passion.”

Our condolences go out to Cullen’s wife, Christine, his family, friends, and coworkers. Although he has left a void, he has also left a legacy that we can all be proud to carry forward.

This story appeared in the Mar/Apr 2014 edition of Lighthouse Digest Magazine. The print edition contains more stories than our internet edition, and each story generally contains more photographs - often many more - in the print edition. For subscription information about the print edition, click here.

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