Dr. Louise Miller Cohen is a native of Hilton Head Island. Mrs. Cohen was chosen, called and anointed by God. She has become the renowned authentic Gullah – Geechee Storyteller, historian, entertainer, teacher, and preserver of Gullah-Geechee Heritage.
From infancy, Louise Miller Cohen was regaled with stories of the Gullah Culture, their history, songs, shouts and food.
In 1930, Ms. Georgianna Jones Bryan built a tiny wooden house for her brother, William “ Duey “ Simmons.
The “Little House” was restored in 2010. Today it serves as the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island where Ms. Cohen is the curator.
Ms. Cohen has an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of South Carolina.
In 2003, Ms. Cohen founded the Non-Profit Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island.
In 2004, she narrated documentaries including “Remnants of Mitchelville”, and co-wrote the play “Seeking A Spiritual Journey” in 2005.
In 2007, she received the Jean Laney Harris Folk Heritage Award.
In 2010, she earned the Governor’s Award from the South Carolina Palmetto Trust.
In 2012, she was honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation for her work on restoring the “Little House”.
In 2014, Ms. Cohen served as the primary consultant, and was also featured in the award winning documentary “Hilton Head Island back in the Day”.
In 2016, Ms. Cohen received an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters from the University of South Carolina for her leadership in preserving the Gullah Culture, commitment to serving the citizens of the Lowcountry, and dedication to the restoration of the “Little House”.
In 2017, she was recognized by the National Civil Rights Library through the presentation of a 2017 Community Service Award and a Commendation Award from Mayor David Bennett of Hilton Head.
In 2018, Ms. Cohen was among 11 notable Palmetto state residents to be featured in the South Carolina African American History Calendar.
