DECEMBER 2017
Even Santa Claus loves the Museum! 
 
President's Pen
As another year comes to a close your Museum is excitedly looking forward to 2018 & the 250th Anniversary of the founding of the Turnbull Settlement.  The year is shaping up to be filled with Events, Friends and History.  Towards the bottom of this newsletter you can find information on our organization's first formal event to celebrate this milestone. On March 22nd at the Brannon Center, Rick Smith's presentation on his father's book "A Land Remembered" will headline this kickoff to the years events.  Our summer event planned for June 16th is evolving into an engaging overview of our areas complete history from its initial development in the 1700's to iconic elements that many of us grew up with and recognize today.  With these events and our normal scheduled activities one thing is certain, the next year will pass as quickly as the present so don't forget to slow down and enjoy where we are.  We hope to see you at the Museum for our Christmas Party on the 14th or perhaps at the Annual Banquet in January. Until we see you next, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Hamilton 
March 8, 2018 6:30pm
Joseph M. Vetter portraying Alexander Hamilton I have had many inquires as to whether we will be rescheduling Joseph Vetter and his Alexander Hamilton presentation. I am happy to announce that YES, we have rescheduled. Mr. Vetter will be at the museum on Thursday, March 8th at 6:30pm. The event will still be free and open to the public; donations are appreciated to help cover Mr. Vetter's honorarium. Be sure to mark this on your calendars. It is anticipated that this event will be to a capacity crowd. Doors will open at 6pm and seating is on a first come first served basis. 
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
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 our Volunteer Coordinator  to discuss your new role at the museum and to set up training dates.
 
We appreciate your willingness to volunteer and look forward to meeting you as you begin your next adventure as a volunteer at the museum!

New Smyrna Museum  of History

Museum hours:
  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Tuesday~ Saturday
Admission by donation.
120 Sams Avenue
New Smyrna Beach
386-478-0052

Go to the Amazon Smile page (click below) and register to make all your purchases benefit the Museum. It costs you nothing additional but Amazon will make a donation to the Museum based upon your purchase!

OUR MUSEUM COMMUNITY
NEW MEMBERS
Judith M. LeRoy
Alwyn & Patricia Wilson

In Memoriam
 

Memberships can be purchased  on-line.

Community Events

The museum is always looking for community outreach opportunities and is happy to be participating in the following events:

HistoryCon--January 20 at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach. The event will take place from 10am-3pm.

Lagoonacy--April 21 at the Marine Discovery Center here in New Smyrna Beach.

Further information on both events will be provided closer to their dates.

If you have an event you would like for us to attend please let us know by emailing the information to nsmofhistory@gmail.com . We will review the event and see if we can attend.
   


   
 






Community Museum Meeting
Thursday, December 14th 6:30pm
Christmas Party
Our annual Christmas party is always a great time for friends, old and new, to get together. 

Those attending are invited to bring a dish to share and there is always plenty of delicious food for everybody. 

We are pleased to have Cyndi Fraser, a very talented musician, return again this year to help entertain everybody. If you remember, last year she had everybody, including Santa Claus, singing along all night. There will be plenty of food and drinks for everybody. It's a great chance to come out and mingle with your friends or maybe make some new ones. The party is free and open to the public. The Christmas cheer will be overflowing so we hope you can attend!


Annual Banquet 
January 11,  2018 6:30pm
Venetian Bay Golf Club
We invite you to join us for our Annual Banquet, to be held on Thursday, January 11 at 6:30pm at the Venetian Bay Golf Club. Ticket prices are $35 per person. Reservations may be made at the museum by cash or credit card. 

The menu will consist of macadamia encrusted mahi, herb encrusted pork loin, roasted potatoes, steamed broccoli, salad, and rolls. Non alcoholic beverages will be included. There will be a cash bar starting at 6pm.

Rick Kilby
We are honored to announce our speaker for the evening will be Rick Kilby. Rick is the author of the popular book Finding the Fountain of Youth: Ponce de Leon and Florida's Magical Waters. The book was published by the University Press of Florida.

This is a wonderful look at how the mythical Fountain of Youth has been used in marketing and selling of the state through the years. Rick showcases wonderful images from his collection and shares delightful stories about springs throughout the state. On a more serious note however, this talk will enlighten you about the state of our springs and how they are being changed and damaged by modern growth and development. All is not lost however as there are ways that our beautiful springs can be brought back to life and Rick will discuss that was well.
FTFY--Kilby
Finding the Fountain of Youth





Enterprise Evergreen Cemetery:
Past, Present, and Future
Tuesday, January 16, 2018 11AM
Enterprise Evergreen Cemetery
Author Sandra Walters will give her presentation Enterprise Evergreen Cemetery: Past, Present, and Future. Come out and learn about this fascinating local cemetery that is 120 years old. The 1841 referenced on the sign relates to the founding of Enterprise and not the cemetery itself. The talk is free and open to the public.

Community Museum Meeting
Thursday, February 8, 2018
6:30pm Babe James Center

 
Mary McLeod Bethune
Join us as we celebrate African American History Month and welcome Dr. Ashley Robertson Preston, Assistant Professor of History and Curator and Director of the Bethune Foundation, who will be our presenter for the night.

The subject of Dr. Preston's presentation will be "Passing Bethune's Torch of Excellence in 2018." So come out and learn just how Dr. Bethune's ideals relate to modern day. This promises to be an important talk you won't want to miss.

Dr. Preston is the author of the well received book Mary McLeod Bethune in Florida: Bringing Social Justice to the Sunshine State published by Arcadia Publishing.
 
The event is free and open to the public.
 

Celebrating 250 Years with
Florida Is A Land Remembered
March 22, 2018
6:30pm Brannon Center
Rick Smith
When Andrew Turnbull, along with more than 1,200 settlers, arrived in what is now New Smyrna Beach in 1768, little could he have imagined the 250 years of history we now celebrate. Our community, which began with hard plantation life, is now a thriving and growing community.

To kick off the 250th anniversary celebrations of New Smyrna Beach, the New Smyrna Museum of History could think of no better representation of pioneer life in Florida than A Land Remembered. Few books have captured the spirit and colorful history of Florida as has Patrick Smith's beloved novel. It has been said many times that people should be issued a copy of A Land Remembered when they cross the Florida state line.

We are honored to present Rick Smith, who will give his Florida Is A Land Remembered presentation at the Brannon Center on Thursday, March 22 at 6:30p. Tickets will be available at the museum soon and will cost $10 per person. Tickets may be available at the door depending upon seating availability. Be sure to get your tickets as soon as they go on sale. This presentation is at capacity wherever given.
Digger's Digest
Archaeology Lab staff are researching historical records to permit the recording and documenting of types and amounts of foodstuffs coming into the British 18th Century Smyrnea Settlement via exportation from other sources outside the settlement. Documentation of local foodstuffs used, including marine fishes and shellfish, are also being recorded. Earlier historians have written that the indentured colonists who lived here were not provided a sufficient diet for their health. We do know that periods of food shortages and lack of desired foods were occasionally encountered caused by shipments not received when wanted/needed or their gardens may have encountered droughts that did not provide sufficient foodstuffs when desired.
 
Dot Moore