Chamberlains of London – Gullah People have found a new cultural home in the heart of Old Town Bluffton with the opening of Ma Daisy’s Porch. This two-acre space was created to honor the rich heritage and living traditions of the Gullah Geechee community. The cultural hub reflects a deep respect for ancestry, resilience, and storytelling. Co-owned by local councilwoman and chef Bridgette Frazier along with entrepreneur Billy Watterson, the project pays tribute to Frazier’s grandmother, Daisy Pinckney Frazier, a beloved Gullah matriarch. The location is not just another business; it is a gathering space where the spirit of the past meets the vision of the future. Through food, art, and community events, Ma Daisy’s Porch seeks to keep a living history alive and accessible to everyone who visits. This place stands as a proud reminder of the Gullah people’s powerful legacy and contribution to Lowcountry culture.
The porch is more than a structure for Gullah People; it is a sacred gathering place filled with history and meaning. Bridgette Frazier explains how baptisms, weddings, and memorials have long been held on porches throughout Gullah communities. It is where people meet to celebrate life, honor ancestors, and connect with one another. Ma Daisy’s Porch captures that spirit with its cultural heritage center, a restaurant called Chef B’s, Backus Bakery, De’ Maket, an open-air market, and an entertainment pavilion. Five years of planning and dedication turned this dream into reality, creating over 40 jobs for the Bluffton community. It stands as a vibrant symbol of unity, welcoming visitors to learn, share, and celebrate. Each corner of the space honors a story, each plate of food connects to a past, and each event continues a legacy. The porch has become a living reflection of Gullah identity and shared heritage.
For many years, people overlooked Gullah history or ignored it in plain sight. Ma Daisy’s Porch now brings those stories forward for everyone. The heritage center creates space to explore who the Gullah people are and how they shaped the Lowcountry. Frazier reminds visitors that the Gullah community includes skilled horticulturists, herbal doctors, cooks, and mathematicians. Their skills, crops, and knowledge shape agriculture, cuisine, and culture in the region. Farmers introduce crops like okra and sweet potatoes and adapt them to create unique culinary traditions. The center preserves traditions and teaches a new generation about their roots. Gullah voices stay strong and gain respect through storytelling and cultural celebration. This project shares history through taste, sound, and experience. Visitors feel the past come alive with every story and every flavor. Gullah heritage stands proud and vibrant in this cultural space.
Food anchors Gullah heritage through flavor and tradition. Chef B’s restaurant shares stories of resilience and creativity through every dish. Visitors enjoy E’crab soup and Fush and Grits made with West African roots. Generations pass down knowledge and shape recipes for the Lowcountry. Guests feel warmth like entering a family home. Backus Bakery serves pastries with traditional flavors that honor Gullah culture. De’ Maket lets locals explore ingredients and crafts that reflect Gullah life. These meals become cultural lessons that bridge past and present. Every dish connects visitors to a powerful legacy. The kitchen turns into a classroom where flavors teach history. Each bite reveals how Gullah people shaped regional food identity. Creativity and endurance guide their culinary traditions. Community strength keeps these flavors alive and meaningful.
Ma Daisy’s Porch welcomes everyone eager to learn and connect. The entertainment pavilion and market unite people through films, performances, and celebrations. Ma Daisy’s portrait with open arms shows the spirit of welcome. Bluffton gains a living legacy with every event and shared meal. Gullah people keep their influence strong and celebrate their traditions openly. The project honors heritage with love and shares it with purpose. Ma Daisy’s Porch connects the past and present through culture and community. The future shines when heritage grows and communities thrive together.
This article is sourced from southernliving and for more details you can read at ngocstip
Writer: Sarah Azhari
Editor: Anisa
