More than 12,000 visit Amistad during its first week in Georgetown
School groups from Greenville, Hilton Head and other parts of South Carolina have traveled to Georgetown to tour the vessel, a replica of the cargo ship on which 53 enslaved Africans revolted against their captors in 1839. Among the visitors who have signed the Amistad guest register are vacationers from as far away as Canada, Ireland, England, and the Netherlands.
Retailers and restaurateurs in Georgetown report an increase in visitor traffic and several say they have seen an increase in sales since the Amistad docked at Georgetown Landing Marina on Saturday, Nov. 3.
Amistad Captain Bill Pinkney says that the Georgetown visit will serve as a model for other communities hosting the ship. "Community involvement is a key component in the mission and purpose of the Freedom Schooner Amistad," said Pinkney. "Thanks to the hard work of many volunteer committees, the Amistad has been at the center of series of truly meaningful and community-building events during its stay in Georgetown."
The ship continues its visit through Friday, Nov. 16., and is open to the public from 2 p.m. until dark. Tickets are $3 for adults; children 16 and under are admitted free. The ship will be closed on Saturday. The Amistad departure ceremony will take place Sunday, Nov. 18 at 1:30 p.m. at Georgetown Landing Marina. The departure ceremony is free and open to the public.
For more information, contact Nancy Cave, Amistad project manager, at 240-7995.