July 2018 Newsletter from Mandarin Museum & Historical Society

MMHS NEWS

July 2018

EMBRACE THE MANDARIN EXPERIENCE

Dear MMHS Members and Friends,

We have been so fortunate to receive some great publicity recently, including by travel blogger Kathleen Walls, who paid us a visit a while back and wrote a very nice article about the museum.

Be sure to check it out in "Florida Traveler - Off-beat day trips and things to do in Florida." This is a site you will want to check on regularly as Kathleen visits lots of cool places and has much interesting information to share. CLICK HERE to see her piece on Mandarin.

We are grateful to Kathleen, to The Florida Channel and to Visit Jacksonville for their recent visits.

Sandy Arpen

Please mark your calendars for Saturday, July 7.

On this day, the Mandarin Museum and the St.Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African-American Children will be open as usual from 9-4.

BUT you may also visit the Losco Winery, the 1876 barn, and the 1875 farmhouse within the Walter Jones Historical Park from 10-2, AND the historic Mandarin Store and Post Office (located at 12471 Mandarin Rd.) will also be open from 10-2 (This will be a new time for the Store an d PO).

So, you will be able to visit four more historic buildings on this date - from 10-2. We will try to open these buildings on the first Saturday of each month so the public can view them from the inside. Thanks to the volunteers who have stepped up to make this possible!


	Nancy and Ed Welch, Susan Conley, and Peter Griffin

Thank you to Susan Conley for her kind remarks about the recent tour with her family.

"In May two of my cousins, from Norfolk, Va. and Raleigh, NC. came to visit. Since my family and I had lived and worked In Mandarin since 1980, I knew the Mandarin Museum was the perfect place to introduce them to the area.

"Coincidentally, a few weeks earlier, my cousin Peter had attended a lecture (Louis L. Guy Series) in Norfolk by Dr. Robert Baxter, about the history of the "Maple Leaf Incident of 1863" and her activity along the coast of Norfolk. [NOTE: this "incident" was when Confederate prisoners captured the Maple Leaf at Hampton Roads, VA.] Peter asked if I was aware of the Maple Leaf. I told him absolutely and we would be viewing the artifacts as part of the museum tour.

"I contacted Karen Roumillat, VP of the Board of Directors, and set up an appointment for a tour. As luck would have it, Karen was our tour guide and what an enthusiastic and knowledgeable person to have show us around. She entertained us for several hours with stories of the past, to the present. The Maple Leaf exhibit was exceptional. We enjoyed viewing all the artifacts and learning details about their discovery and retrieval. If it had not been for Dr Holland's determination these artifacts would have not been found.

"All in all, this tour allowed us to step back in time and provide us with a wealth of history. We recommend it to everyone!"

Thank you,

Susan Conley

Please think of us if you belong to a group that would like to tour and learn about Mandarin's amazing history - we host senior groups, church groups, adult groups, youth organizations, schools and camps...and even special family groups like Susan's. If you are interested in learning more or would like to bring your group for a special tour of the museum and historic buildings, give us a call at 268-0784. There is also information on our website - CLICK HERE:

Volunteer Spotlight

Roger Sallas

Roger Sallas is a seventh generation Floridian. He was born in Jacksonville and his family tree can be traced back over 250 years to Spanish St. Augustine and includes roots among the Minorcan settlers from the New Smyrna colony.

That might explain his interest in St. Augustine history, including the time he has spent at the Castillo de San Marco as an 18th Century Spanish soldier. He has fired cannons and muskets and talked to visitors about early Spanish history. He sometimes does interpretive historical programs for school groups and was in costume and talked about Early Spanish History at our 2017 Winter Celebration.

After a career in the insurance business as a service manager, Roger retired and now he enjoys bird watching, being outdoors and Florida history.

"I love surf fishing," says Roger. "There is nothing I like better than to be on the beach watching the sun slowly poke its head up over the horizon."

Roger and his wife, Nadia, have been married for more than 30 years.

He was among interested persons who came to a tour of the Museum and some of the buildings on the grounds of Walter Jones Park in 2016. He became more and more interested and joined us as a volunteer in 2017.

"My first day on duty was at the Losco Winery, the very day the Museum was dedicating the Marion Losco display. What a fun day that was talking with so many of the Losco family members as they shared memories and stories ," he said.

For Smithsonian Magazine Day in 2017, he dressed as a gentleman farmer, Roger held a basket of muscadine grapes as he welcomed visitors to the Winery. At that time, he began to express an interest in opening the winery at least one Saturday each month. We are excited that beginning in July, Roger will be at the winery each first Saturday from 10-2.

Paula Suhey


Frog Man had a long line-up of critters last month!

Frog/Turtle Painting Event

July 21

The July Frog Painting is from 10-noon on July 21 in front of the museum.

You definitely need to make a reservation first, please, as we already have a long list - just call us at 268-0784 and leave a message or email us at [email protected] and tell us what you'd like to paint. Frogs are $20 and turtles are $24. We provide the paint, brushes etc. Wear old clothes. It is lots of fun and thanks to the Frog Man, all proceeds are for the support of Mandarin Museum and the museum expansion project.

What a gorgeous turtle!

Another Florida Channel video - this one is about

Walter Jones Historical Park

We were so honored and grateful to be included in a video production for The Florida Channel in May. Last month we featured their first video. This is another - focused on the park and buildings. We expect one more which will feature Emily Lisska talking about Harriet Beecher Stowe - next month.

CLICK HERE to see the latest video. Please share with your friends.

"Located in the state Capitol building, The FLORIDA Channel is a public affairs programming service funded by The Florida Legislature and produced and operated by WFSU-TV. It features programming covering all three branches of state government, and is Florida's primary source for live, unedited coverage of the Governor and Cabinet, the Legislature and

the Supreme Court." (From their website)

DON'T FORGET OUR REGULAR EVENTS IN JULY

Meet the Divers Day

Saturday, July 21 - from 12-4.

The monthly "Meet the Maple Leaf Divers" day

at Mandarin Museum in Walter Jones Historical Park.

SJAE diver Larry Tipping meeting
with visitors

"Under the Oaks" Music Jam

Sunday, July 1 from 2-4

The next monthly "Under the Oaks" music jam will take place on July 1 at Walter Jones Historical Park from 2-4, WEATHER PERMITTING! Bring an acoustic instrument if you would like to play - listeners are always welcome. Everybody bring a lawn chair. The Mandarin Museum and St. Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African-American Children will be open during this event. It is co-sponsored by the North Florida Folk Network.

Painting by Mandarin artist/musician Gary Garrett - will be on display July 1 in Mandarin Museum

SAVE THESE DATES ETC.

July 1: "Under the Oaks" music jam, 2 pm - 4 pm
July 7: Store and Post Office, Farmhouse, Barn and Winery open, 10 pm - 2 pm
July 21: Frog/Turtle Painting - 10 am -12 pm
July 21: Meet the Maple Leaf Divers, 12 pm - 4 pm
August 4: Store and Post Office, Farmhouse, Barn and Winery open, 10 pm - 2 pm
August 5: "Under the Oaks" music jam, 2 pm - 4 pm
August 11: Frog/Turtle painting 10 am-12 pm
August 16: Third Thursday Lecture - TBA
August 18: Meet the Maple Leaf Divers, 12 pm - 4 pm
September 22: Smithsonian "Museum Day" event
November 10 or 11 - Veterans Day event to honor Pvt. Marion Losco and the 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI - TBA
November 15: Third Thursday Lecture - John Moseley, Historic Sites Manager I, Fort Fisher State Historic Site, Wilmington, NC - will discuss the connection between Maple Leaf troops and the Civil War battle at Fort Fischer.
December 1: 19th Annual Winter Celebration in Walter Jones Historical Park

Mandarin Museum and the St. Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African-American Children are open every Saturday from 9-4 in Walter Jones Historical Park . (11964 Mandarin Road)

The Mandarin Store and Post Office (12471 Mandarin Road) is open from 10-2 on the first Saturday of every month. (This is a new time) Most months the barn, winery and farmhouse will be open at this same time. Check the calendar here and check Facebook to confirm.

School tours and adult group tours are scheduled during the week by appointment. Call 268-0784 or email us at [email protected].

We always need more volunteers, as they are the backbone of our organization. If you would like more information CLICK HERE or email Paula Suhey, Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected] and she will give you a call and tell you all about the opportunities we have.

If you haven't checked out our blog, this is what you're missing - lots of really interesting old photos, cards and objects that are in our archival collection.

Just click the green symbol at the bottom of the newsletter page or the "t" symbol (for Tumblr) at the bottom of the website page and you can see a new object each week.

This post card is a beauty!

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MISSION: Mandarin Museum & Historical Society shares the stories of Mandarin's history, culture and natural resources by providing engaging programs that educate, entertain and inspire.

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Mandarin Museum & Historical Society

904-268-0784

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