Shrouded in Mystique, A Rare Glimpse of White Oak Plantation

Okapi of the Congo, with zebra-like striped legs

SANCTUARY FOR BEAST AND MAN

Anyone who moves into the Amelia Island area eventually hears of the legendary White Oak Plantation, the place where exotic animals roam. Shrouded in mystique, this 7,500 acre privately-owned Plantation is located in Nassau County near Amelia Island (one entry point from Yulee), and actually crosses the St. Mary’s River, with 1,000 acres on the Georgia side of the waterway.

It’s a destination that only a "chosen few" have gained entrance to, and has a guest list of famous political dignitaries as well as movie stars and famous personalities. “The chosen” visit this exclusive retreat to vacation, hold national and international conferences, or hold private meetings and not have to worry about being harassed by the media. But now White Oak is becoming a bit more public, offering memberships for the very first time as an exclusive club.

A Lodge on the White Oak Plantation

For example, while the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal put excessive strain on President Clinton (eventually triggering impeachment hearings), President Clinton and Hillary made their escape from Washington in 1999 to the White Oak Plantation, to duck the glare of the news media.

For those who are publicity-shy or wish to disappear for awhile, White Oak is renowned for the exclusion it offers to those with a special invitation to visit. Others who have been guests at White Oak include Mikhail Baryshnikov (who has a dance studio on the property named after him, that hosts dance companies), Madonna, Julia Roberts, Al Gore, Colin Powell, and John Travolta (who had just played golf there a few days before our visit). White Oak has a 9-hole golf course, but an additional 18-hole Arnold Palmer course is currently under development.

RESTRICTED PUBLIC ACCESS IS CHANGING, AS WHITE OAK INITIATES NEW CLUB MEMBERSHIPS

The only way to get into the White Oak Plantation previously, was if you were invited, were an employee, or if you had a connection with an employee who got you a reservation for a special tour of White Oak. But things have recently changed. White Oak is now permitting public access for corporate groups and private individuals (still by invitation). Club memberships are now being marketed to select individuals and corporations for fees reportedly between $125,000 (for individuals) and $150,000 for corporate executives.

WHAT’S THE ALLURE AT WHITE OAK? ULTIMATE SECLUSION AND ANIMAL SANCTUARY

Kids Feed Bamboo to Gentle Giraffes

On the White Oak Plantation, one is greeted by gentle giraffes. In the setting of a northeast Florida patch of towering pine trees, seeing giraffes roaming about is quite an experience, as you feed them freshly picked bamboo, which grows along the sandy road. With their long limbs and long necks, the giraffes meld into the scenery of tall, thin pine trees, as though they always belonged there. Amidst the pines, live oaks, crape myrtle and palmettos you also see white and black rhinos, grazing zebras, Bongo Antelope, giant Eland, Okapi, tigers, cheetahs, panthers and rare birds – about 60 species of endangered animals. President Clinton reportedly fed pine cones to black rhinos at White Oak.

Horse Stables, White Oak Plantation

Besides the pristine acreage, all largely undisturbed, is a golf course and also an equestrian center with 25 miles of horse trails and jumps. Plus tennis courts, an archery range, and yacht club are on the property. But most unique about White Oak is its animal conservation center. The White Oak Conservation Center has a global reputation and dedication to maintaining genetically healthy breeding of rare and near extinct animals, with species survival plans. What White Oak has, is a “genetic bank” in captivity. Besides trying to save animal species, White Oak is an educational center, with a veterinary hospital offering internships and residencies, and provides training for wildlife professionals and students of zoology. John Lukas, Director of the Conservation Center, lives on the premises.

HOWARD GILMAN AND THE WHITE OAK PLANTATION

The man behind White Oak was the late paper magnate, Howard Gilman, who was a performing arts lover, avid collector, and had a commitment to animal conservation. In its heyday, Gilman was the largest privately-owned paper and building products company in the United States. Gilman also had an interest in thoroughbreds. Our tour guide indicated that with the inception of the conservation center in 1982, Gilman wanted to return some of his company’s paper profits to conservation efforts, as a way of giving back to nature. Gilman passed away in 1998, and the Foundation carries on his vision, and has now decided to market the property as a private club to help sustain the Foundation’s costs for running White Oak. For more information about the Howard Gilman Foundation, visit their web site at www.HowardGilman.org.

MORE ABOUT THE WHITE OAK TOUR

Hopping Aboard a Trolly, White Oak Plantation Tour

A trolly car with a knowledgeable, enthusiastic guide at the helm, escorted our tour group around the plantation. We learned interesting tidbits, like how you can Fed Ex a rhinoceros (we saw the iron cages used for transport). One of the rare birds at White Oak is the Australian Cassowary species, a meat-eating bird that was used to dub in the horrific screech of the T-Rex dinosaur for the movie Jurassic Park. White Oak is brimming with amazements – it’s a wonderful educational experience in a pristine, natural setting. The Florida Panther pen itself encompassed 17 acres. We also learned that behind the number one smuggling trade (drugs) is, surprisingly, bird smuggling. One of the cockatoos pointed out to us had been confiscated at the Miami International Airport.

Big Game Lodge, White Oak Plantation

The Plantation is so large, that upon entering, the security guard gave us a map and careful instructions as to how to meet up with our tour party at the Big Game Lodge. The Lodge itself was impressive in both design and its contents. From the massive original Tiffany ceiling above the bar, to the coconut hair carpeting, stately conference room, and a dining room with dance floor and an acoustical ceiling with clouds, you leave the Big Game Lodge imagining the people who have gone through its threshold and the grand parties that have been held there.

Upon entering the Big Game Lodge, on display is a vest formerly worn by the Native American Apache chief, Geronimo, along with a preserved bear. The many animal trophies on the walls, we were told, all died of natural causes at White Oak, not game hunting. A long hallway is lined with performing arts posters, most with original signatures of the artists, dancers, actors and singers. We also saw the small bowling alley, and a theatre/film viewing room within the Lodge. Other buildings on the premises include quaint guest cottages and “Roseland” which is decorated in a southwestern theme, where President Clinton stayed.

Rhino, White Oak Conservation Center

All this is right here in Nassau County. What was originally a rice plantation, then later cultivated for cotton and timber, has been developed into a wonderful sanctuary for both man and beast – White Oak Plantation is remarkable, and a world of its own.

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