If I haven't had the chance to say it in person yet, Happy New Year! Your Southeast Volusia Historical Society and New Smyrna Musuem of History are off and running in 2017. Speaker presentations & events in support of African American History Month and Florida Archaeology Month are in motion as well as initial discussions about this years annual events. We will be announcing a new fundraiser / get together that will take place this spring in March's newsletter as well, so make sure you check back for the big reveal! The Museum is now on Winter hours and is open 7 days a week so tell your friends. Winter hours often provide the best opportunity for local residents who work full time to visit the Museum as Sunday afternoon hours are available from 1-4. Throughout the year as we get together at various times for social gatherings and fund raisers we often talk about the sponsors that donate to the Museum to help make these events a success and we have some great sponsors. However, some of the biggest contributors to the organization and Museum are often overlooked. These contributors donate their time throughout the year and become the face of our Museum at the front desk and assist with guiding groups visiting the Museum. By opening their schedules and donating 3 hour blocks of time, they become the friendly smile and welcoming voice that make visitors glad that they stepped in the door. For these last 2 years our visitors have been so impressed with these "Sponsors" or Volunteers as we call them, that the online reviews have resulted in TripAdvisor awarding our Museum their Certificate of Excellence. This speaks volumes to the roll these volunteers play and the importance of the donation that they make, quite possibly one of the most important donations we receive. So, I would personally like to extend a huge
"Thank You" to the many Sponsors of the Museum but especially those that donate their time. Your willingness to make the Museum a part of your schedule on a regular basis make all the awards possible and provide the ability for our Museum to be available to the public. If you are not a Museum Volunteer and find your self with a few extra hours during the week, please reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator (see below) and have a conversation about how you can become a part of one of the best small town Museums in the Country.
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Museum hours:
- 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday~ Saturday
- 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday
Admission by donation.
120 Sams Avenue
New Smyrna Beach
386-478-0052
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STAY CONNECTED
See our reviews:
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TEXT: MUSEUM to 42828
to join our mailing list.
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Go to the Amazon Smile page (click below) and register to make all your purchases benefit the Museum. It costs you nothing!
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River of History
Cruise
Wednesdays @ 10am
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Every Wednesday at 10 am in coordination with
Ponce Inlet Watersports the museum offers a River of History cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway. The tour leaves Ponce Inlet and heads south, reaching the marina area before returning north. Tours last approximately two hours.
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 Come and join the fun of the world of the New Smyrna Museum of History volunteers! Our wonderful museum is open to the public because we have dedicated volunteers who act as greeters and caretakers of the museum and help with other activities, such as special events, etc.
You will meet interesting people from all over the world. Working with your fellow volunteers will enrich your social life and add to your friendships.
It's easy to become a volunteer: 1. Join the Southeast Volusia Historical Society. 2. Fill out a volunteer application form (
Click Here). 3. You will be contacted by Lynn Mays and there you are!
We need you and look forward to meeting you as you begin your next adventure as a volunteer at the museum!
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NEW MEMBERS
Christine R. Anderson
Mary Galbreath
Sheila Gray
David M. & Phyllis V. Johnson
Dan Klasel
Rita O'Hara
Mark Spradley
In Memoriam
Memberships can be purchased
on-line.
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"Do you have a local mystery you would like help with? Submit your photo or question to the museum at [email protected]. "
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Celebrate African American
History Month
February 2017
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Through a generous grant from the
Florida Humanities Council we are proud to offer several events to help celebrate African American History Month. All events are free and open to the public!
Unless noted all events will take place at the
Alonzo "Babe" James Community Center. Please click
HERE for a Google map. We want to thank the City of New Smyrna Beach for their help in making sure the Babe James Center is available for these events.
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| Image courtesy Florida Memory |
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Through the end of February we have on display an exhibit of items from the
Mary McLeod Bethune National Historic Landmark in Daytona Beach. This exhibit is located in the North Room of the Museum. Thanks to Ashley Robertson from BCU for curating this exhibit.
Thursday, February 2nd--1:30pm
Dr. Len Lempel, who served as a professor at Bethune Cookman University and later at Daytona State College, will be discussing John Milton Hawkes and his role in founding the community of Freemanville which was located in what is now Port Orange.
Dr. Lempel will discuss the first African American community in Volusia County; it's founding, who was there, why they were there, and what eventually happened to the community. This little known community played an important role in the history of Volusia County.
Thursday, February 9th--1:00pm
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| Image Courtesy Library of Congress |
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Noted local historian Ms. Mary Fears will be presenting her program "Harriet Tubman: Her Life and Achievements".
Ms. Fears is an expert on Tubman's life and starred as the abolitionist in the 2010 documentary
Filling the Gap, which was nominated for a 2011 NAACP Image Award.
Ms. Tubman has been in the news recently as she will soon be replacing Andrew Jackson on the
$20 bill.
Thursday, February 16th--6:30pm
"The Magnificent Drama": Martin Luther King in St. Augustine presented by
Dr. Michael Butler, professor of History at Flagler College.
The
Civil Rights movement in St. Augustine received national attention when Martin Luther King, Jr. visited the city in 1964. Why did he come to St. Augustine, what were his goals, and how did his two appearances impact an already-vibrant local struggle? This presentation places what Dr. King called "the magnificent drama" within context of a movement where local and national objectives both complemented and contradicted each other in ways that continue to impact contemporary race relations.
Saturday, February 25th--10:00am
As part of African American History Month we will be offering a bus tour to the
Mary McLeod Bethune Foundation National Historic Landmark in Daytona Beach, FL. The tour will be given by Dr. Ashley Robertson, an authority on Dr. Bethune and Curator/Director of the Bethune Foundation. We are working to add additional stops to the tour where possible.
While this tour is free there are only a limited number of seats available on the bus. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that you reserve your seat by contacting Robert at the museum (386-478-0052). Space is available on a first come, first served basis.
The bus will be departing from the Museum promptly at 10am and will be returning to the museum by 3pm.
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History Walking Tours
January 18th - April 15th - 2017
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This year we are again be offering our very popular History Walking Tours (formerly called Hannah Bonnet Walking Tours). Tours take place on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, through April 15, weather permitting. Tours cost $8 for Historical Society members and $10 for non-members. You may purchase a 3-pack, including all tours at the discounted price of $20 for members and $25 for non-members. You may preregister at the museum or pay the day of the tour if space allows. Tours depart at 10:30am and take approximately an hour to an hour and a half each. The tours cover approximately 1 mile each. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes for walking.
We are again be offering three different tours but one of them will be offered for the first time this year.
On Wednesdays join us for a History Walking Tour focused on the Canal Street Historic District. Learn about the railroad industry, old movie theatres, long forgotten businesses, local architecture, and much more. Meet at the museum between 10am and 10:30am.
On Fridays take a pleasant and leisurely stroll south on Riverside Drive. Our guide will tell you about historic homes, the old wharf area, and other city highlights that make New Smyrna Beach such a unique town. Your tour will return to the museum via scenic Magnolia Avenue where you will learn about the Woman's Club and other historic buildings. Meet at the museum between 10am and 10:30am
On Saturday you will tour the Flagler Avenue historic district. This tour will show you some of the historic sights and areas on, and around, Flagler Avenue. Starting at the
The Riverview Hotel & Spa lobby you can learn about how the third floor was added, why is there a grave on Canova Drive, how did Canova Drive get its name, what does watch and warn mean, see a "building within a building" and more. Please remember, this tour will start at the Riverview Hotel lobby. You may purchase your tour in advance or through the guide on the day of the tour using cash only. The Hotel will not be able to accept payment for the tour.
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Night at the Museum 2017 Contest
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I know, we just had Night at the Museum 2016. I hope you were able to attend even though the ravages of Hurricane Matthew were still to be seen everywhere. Our planning committee is already thinking about the October 2017 event. A tentative date has been chosen that we will announce shortly.
We are looking for your input. Each year we have a theme for the party. In the past we have had "History Rocks", "History and all that Jazz", "Brews and the Blues", "Margaritaville", and "College Game Night". What we would like to hear is what theme would YOU want for Night at the Museum 2017? Put on your thinking caps and be creative. How should the museum be decorated or how would you like to see some of those in attendance dress for the event?
Email us your thoughts and ideas at
[email protected] . Be sure to include your name and contact information. All the ideas will be gathered and brought to the committee for evaluation.
What's a contest without a prize? The individual who submits the selected idea will win two (2) tickets to Night at the Museum!
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Planning is underway for a new exhibit in the North Room focused on archaeology. This exhibit will be on display during March, April, and May. Florida Archaeology Month is celebrated in March throughout the State. Free posters about this subject will be available for interested citizens. The City of New Smyrna Beach will read their annual proclamation at a February City Commission meeting to honor this yearly event.
Dr. Roger Grange
Dot Moore
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