This is not the official Bryan-Lang Library Web site

The Bryan-Lang Library
311 Camden Ave.
PO Box 715
Woodbine, Georgia 31569
1-912-576-5841

Located in the courthouse complex, 1 block east of U.S. 17 on the corner of Camden Avenue and 4th Street.

Camden County is rich in history. It was among the first areas of Georgia to experience European colonization, by both the Spanish and English. It was one of Georgia's eight original counties and its character and culture have for many years been free from radical changes. Now many aspects of Camden County are changing as a result of its tremendous population growth and tile associated need for increases in goods and services of all types.

It is more important than ever before that the history of Camden County be preserved for the benefit of present and future residents of the area. Bryan-Lang Historical Library is doing this by bringing together a comprehensive collection of this county's past and present.

The Bryan-Lang Historical Library was established in 1987 as a depository for books, documents, maps, photographs and other records of historical and genealogical value pertaining to Camden County. The material is non-circulating, but is available for research in the library.

The collection consist of the following:

The largest portion of our collection is documents and historical records that tell the history of Camden County its families, events, places, and other important aspects.

Approximately 2800 volumes with subjects such as:

Over 1300 family history files. These files relate to families from Camden County, but they also contain information about individuals with the same surname from other areas.

We also have microfilm census rolls from Camden County and the adjoining counties. We also have other census rolls from other counties in Georgia.

We have photographs and maps that show the history of Camden County through images of people, places, events, etc.

The entire private collection of books and records belonging to the late Beatrice "Bebe" Lang, a Camden County native, is in the library. The library is named in memory of her and of Mary Givens Bryan, her longtime friend and Georgia State Archives Director from 1951 to 1964.

Ruby Wilson Berrie Collection
The collection of the late Mrs. Kenneth Berrie, longtime head of Glynn County's Board of Trade (now know as Chamber of Commerce) is now included. Her books, papers and photographs of the lower Georgia coast include original papers of the Ft. Frederica Association, which helped to establish Ft. Frederica as a National Park. Mrs. Berrie was a noted ornithologist and her collection reflects this as well.

Lillie Harris Collection
This collection consists of documents that relay the history of African American education in Camden County, as well as other documents that depict her teaching career.

James T. Vocelle Collection
Mr. Vocelle's collection consists of family history material and other documents that tell the history of Camden County Georgia. Mr. Vocelle published the first history of Camden County, Georgia.

Margaret Davis Cate Collection - Microfilm Rolls
This collection consists of microfilm rolls of the Margaret Davis Cate Collection that is housed at the Georgia Historical Society. It contains historical information on Glynn County and Coastal Georgia, people, places, and events.

Among other records that have been donated are data of the Coastal Highway District Commission and their project and the Lillie Slade Harris educational documents. All of these are available for study.

Bryan-Lang Historical Library is constantly upgrading its holdings with newly published books and microfilmed records. Its Board of Directors welcomes donations of papers and books of historical interest.

The library is open to the public and houses records donated by Camden County residents, descendants and friends. These records consist of materials as widely diversified as:

• coastal language patterns
• black and white genealogies
• timber, logging and naval store records
• rural agriculture
• cattle grazing and open ranges
• women's jobs
• education in the County
• many other items of general or specific interest

HISTORY OF THE BRYAN-LANG HISTORICAL LIBRARY

November 1983 - Miss Bebe Lang announced her plans to donate her tremendous collection of historical books and documents to Camden County with the stipulation that suitable housing for the library be secured in Woodbine, the county seat and her hometown.

December 1983 - Camden County Commissioners agreed to provide space in one of the county buildings near the Court House for a temporary location of the Lang material.

April 1984 - The Bryan-Lang Historical Library was organized. A Library Board was appointed composed of Eloise Bailey, chairman, Virginia Proctor, Vice-Chairman; Marjorie Parson, Recording Secretary; Shirley Thompson, Corresponding Secretary; William Morris, Treasurer; Catherine Adams, Edna Armstrong, Matilda Bridges, Mary Bullard, Roy Dowdy, Harold L. Friedman, Alberta Gay, Sue Harrell, George L. Hannaford, Bunnie McAbee, Dorothy McCaskill, Alton Murray, Calvin Newton, Craig Root, Mignon Sterling, Mary Jane Stevens, Ann Stoddard, and Beatrice L. Williams.

August 1984 - Novelist Eugenia Price of St. Simons Island was announced as the honorary chairwoman for the proposed historic research library.

June 1984 - The Historical Commission received a $25,000 grant from Coastal Highway District to help them with their dream of building a historical library.

February 1-3, 1985 - A Celebration of Freedom was held with many events throughout the county to call attention to the County's history and to benefit Bryan-Lang Historical Library.

February 3, 1985 - Groundbreaking Ceremony was held at The Court House Complex at 3:00 P. M. for the Bryan-Lang Historical Library.

During the year 1985, many events were held to raise funds for the Bryan-Lang Historical Library. Among them was a chicken dinner sponsored by the Woodbine Citizens Steering Committee in January. This event raised almost $1,000 for the building fund.

Your financial support of the Bryan-Lang Library is appreciated. Tax deductible contributions may be made to:

The Bryan-Lang Library
PO Box 715
Woodbine, Georgia 31569

Some items for sale. (Please call for the most current prices.)