Cullen Chambers

Cullen G. Chambers - SAVANNAH - Cullen G. Chambers. Born November 14, 1950, died January 20, 2014. He was a native of Monticello Arkansas but traveled widely both nationally and internationally due to his father's naval career as well as his own professional and personal interest. He attended Florida State University where he double majored with a degree in Government and History. He and his wife Christine have lived in the Savannah area for the past twenty years while he served as Executive Director of the Tybee Island Historical Society. He also served on a variety of national lighthouse boards and projects and became nationally and internationally well known and respected for his volunteer contributions to the lighthouse and historic preservation communities. He started his journey in historic preservation by assisting Florida Secretary of State Bruce Smathers on the Campaign to save the Florida State Capitol from demolition between 1974-1977 while he was still attending Florida State University. He began his hands on preservation career at Fort Zachary Taylor in Key West Florida, where he assisted Howard England in preservation and interpretation of the fort and excavation and preservation of the thousands of civil war artifacts buried within the forts casements. He directed the restoration of the Key West Light Station, the St. Augustine Light Station and most recently the Tybee Island Light Station. He was also proud to have been able to consult on a variety of other preservation projects ranging from historic lighthouses, fortifications, churches, schools, cemeteries, and perhaps the most unusual Lucy the Elephant located in Margate New Jersey. His most recent volunteer project, was the Dr. Steward Home in Portal Georgia and the Fort Screven Post Theater built in 1930. He is survived by his wife Christine Chambers, his twin brother Curtis Chambers and his younger brother Roy Lain. In lieu of flowers he requested that anyone inclined to make a donation in his name do so to the Friends of the Tybee Post Theater P.O. Box 2356 Tybee Island Georgia 31328 and for Tybee Island residents to purchase a Historic Preservation Auto Tag as soon as possible. He requested a memorial service if held to take place at the Historic Hasting's High School in Hastings Florida just outside of St. Augustine Florida. He worked as a volunteer consultant and grant writer for the school for thirteen years and considered that project the most important of his life and career. Savannah Morning News January 25, 2014 Please sign our Obituary Guest Book at savannahnow.com/obituaries.