Gee's Bend Ferry

Ferry makes daily runs between Camden and Gee's Bend, home of hte famous Quilters of Gee's Bend. The quilters usually gather at the Boykin Nutrition Center by 8:30 am and quilt until 1:30 in the afternoon Monday through Thursday, however, this may vary. Some recommendations for tourists are: 1) Drive your car across the ferry. It is just a few miles from the ferry to the quilting site, but probably too far to walk. 2) Plan to take a picnic if you are going on the mid-morning run. You will want to visit Black Belt Treasures in Camden in the morning. A list of options for take out lunches is available here, along with tourist information. There is no where in Gee's Bend to purchase food. There is a park just above the ferry stop on the left. It has a nice pavilion and a playground area. Within walking distance of the pavilion is a small deck over the river, where you can observe the beauty of nature. See birds in flight or watch fish doing their acobatic routine in the river below. Taking along some binoculars for birding or fishing poles and a folding chair will help pass the time between visiting with the quilters and ferry pickup. 3) If you are taking the early morning run, you might want to take a cooler of snacks and drinks. You might want to visit with the quilters and then go to the park. You will probably want to have lunch in Camden before you visit Black Belt Treasures in the afternoon. Black Belt Treasures is open from 9:00 until 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9:00-1:00. For ferry cost and schedules, visit www.geesbendferry.com. Additional information: The person in charge of the quilt room in the community center is Mary Ann Pettway. Her contact numbers are Home: (334) 573-2585 Cell: (334) 349-1919 Community House where quilts are housed can be visited by appointment. (334) 573-2323 There are four locations where directions and contact information for Gees Bend are available. They are: Black Belt Treasures in Camden (334) 682-9878 Regional Tourism Headquarter in Thomasville (334) 636-0120 Selma Convention and Visitors Bureau 1-800-GO Selma Alabama Rural Heritage Center in Thomaston (334) 627-3388