Can you believe it is already 2015? I hope everybody had a joyous holiday season. As I look back on 2014 I think of all we accomplished, including the launch of our e-newsletter, and realize what a wonderful treasure this museum is. Now it's time to get to work on our 2015 line up of events. It's going to be a very busy year at the museum.

We kick off the year with the events listed in this email. On February 7, we open "The Way We Worked," which is the biggest event ever held by the museum. This travelling exhibit is co-sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute and the Florida Humanities Council and will only be visiting six cities in the state. We will be having ten presentations to accompany the exhibit and final details are being ironed out. Subjects range from Dr. Turnbull and his indentured servants to more modern avenues of work such as that done by the NSB Utilities Commission. Keep an eye out for the final schedule. Please make time to come and see this exhibit. You won't be disappointed.

For you traditionalists, don't worry, plans are already in the works for our annual pilau dinner and pancakes in the park. Richard and his team will be continuing the River of History cruises every Wednesday morning from Ponce Inlet. We have even had discussions about the next Night at the Museum.

We can't provide all these great programs without you! For those who have renewed your membership we thank you. If you haven't received your membership card it will arrive shortly. If you haven't renewed please consider joining us. You can click the membership tab above and pay with PayPal.

As I said, it's going to be a busy year and I hope to ...

See you at the museum!

Robert

Kay Matheny

Do you ever wonder how the historical society keeps track of memberships and gets the renewal notices and membership cards out to you? Well look no further than Kay Matheny!

Kay, who has been an active volunteer for four years, usually works at least twice a week to make sure that paperwork is kept current and any membership questions are answered in a timely manner. While Kay doesn't handle this task alone she is the leader in this very important function. In addition to membership Kay actively serves elsewhere in the museum. She originally started as a desk volunteer and can still on occasion be found greeting visitors. She was an important member of the committee which brought Night at the Museum to life. Her role was being responsible for ticketing and she did a great job. Lines at the entrance were minimal even at the busiest times. Currently Kay is serving on the Museum on Main Street committee which is making sure The Way We Worked opens without a hitch. In addition, Kay recently started a three year term on the Board of Directors. In her spare time Kay likes to spend time with family and is actively involved in the Little Theatre of New Smyrna Beach.

"I love the involvement with the other volunteers; my friends" Kay had to say about working at the museum. "We are like a family."

Robert Redd

Executive Director

Community Museum Meeting

Thursday ~ January 15th ~ Annual Banquet

Sugar Mill Country Club

• 6:00 pm cash bar and social time
• 6:30 pm meeting starts
• $25 recommended donation

Please stop by the museum to make your reservation.

Our annual banquet is always a great time to catch up with friends, enjoy great food and listen to a top notch speaker. This year will be no different. Volunteer Judy Burrows has lined up a great meal featuring chicken Florentine and salmon with fruit salsa. Side dishes include rice pilaf and green beans. Dessert will be lemon tarts and there will be coffee and tea to drink. 

Our guest speaker is Dr. Steve Noll from the University of Florida who will speak on Florida environmental history. Dr. Noll is the author of Ditch of Dreams: The Cross Florida Barge Canal and the Struggle for Florida's Future.

Funding for this program has been provided by the Florida Humanities Council and is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. 

Friday ~ January 16th ~  1:30 pm

Retired Air Force Colonel Bob Harvey will discuss his new book Cocoa, Florida: A History, published by The History Press. Once a small village settled by fisherman, Cocoa is now the gateway to America's Spaceport. Cocoa is also home to the Florida Historical Society.

Friday ~ January 23rd ~ 1:30 pm

Join Lea Craig as she recounts fascinating stories about the land where many of the original settlers to New Smyrna came from. Ms. Craig visited the island during 2014 and has great stories to share with us. 

Hannah Bonnet Walking Tours

Every Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

Starting January 14 - April 18, 2015

10:30 am

Members $6

Non-members $8

Join museum volunteer Barbara Zafuto as she portrays Hannah Bonnet, the first female Mayor of New Smyrna Beach. On these tours you will learn the history of the area and see many locations that even some locals aren't aware of.

Wednesday and Friday tours meet at the museum. On Wednesdays tour the "Old Fort" historic area and on Friday take a tour of the Canal Street business district.

On Saturday meet at the Riverview Hotel, 103 Flagler Avenue, and take a tour of the Flagler Avenue area.