Mandarin Museum News

December 2023

Embrace the Mandarin Experience

L to R: Karen Jones Roumillat (Board Member & Great Granddaughter of Walter Jones) and Museum Executive Director Brittany Cohill. Photo courtesy of Olis Garber.

----Warmest regards,

----Brittany Cohill

----Executive Director

Mandarin Winter Celebration presented by TC Federal Bank takes place throughout the Museum and Walter Jones Historical Park on Saturday, December 2nd, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm. All historic buildings in the park will be open to visitors. Also...

At the Museum:

• Visit with Santa
• Enter to win exciting raffle prizes
• Meet the Maple Leaf Divers
• Exhibits
• Museum Shop
• Mandarin Frogs
• TC Federal Bank tent

At the Schoolhouse:

• Re-enactors
• Lace and sock-making demonstrations

At the Farmhouse:

• Live musical performances

11:30 Mandarin United Methodist Children's Choir

12:15 John Lokenberg and Sandy Webb on the steel drums

1:00 Local folk favorite UnderDawg

2:30 Music Under the Oaks musician Eric Arndt

• Nonprofit Village
• Hot Cocoa, Cookies, and Popcorn

At the Barn:

• "Reindeer" rides with Pinto Carriage Works

At the Pavilion:

• Children's crafts & games
• Make your own S'mores
• Concrete miniatures with the Mandarin Frogman

Thanks to our presenting sponsor, TC Federal Bank, visitors will enjoy FREE admission to the event.

Parking information: General parking will be available at Mandarin Presbyterian Church located just across the street from Walter Jones Historical Park. Handicap parking only is available in the main lot at Walter Jones.

Music Under the Oaks

Sunday, December 3rd

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm

Museum Front Lawn

Join Mandarin Museum and North Florida Folk Network for an afternoon under Mandarin's historic oak canopy. Bring your acoustic instrument and join the jam session OR bring your chair or blanket and enjoy a day in the shade, taking in the melodic sounds.

Mandarin Museum and the 1898 Schoolhouse will be open to visitors during the event.

Admission is FREE; donations support Mandarin Museum's programming and operations.

Photo courtesy of Olis Garber.

Photo courtesy of Olis Garber.

Open Studio with Brenda Councill

Friday - Sunday, December 8-11, 15-17, 29-31

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Mandarin Store & Post Office

12471 Mandarin Road

Mandarin Museum is pleased to host Open Studio with Brenda Councill on select long weekends in December and January. Visit the historic Mandarin Store & Post Office to see and interact with Brenda as she creates her newest work, "Harriet Beecher Stowe in Mandarin." The finished piece will be a life-size bronze sculpture of Harriet and two young boys from her orange grove. Emphasizing Harriet's commitment to equitable education, she is portrayed in an instructing manner. Follow Brenda's process over the next two months as she begins with armature construction and ends with a full-size clay sculpture ready for the foundry.

Admission to Open Studio with Brenda Councill is free. Limited edition prints of Brenda's popular Mandarin series will be available for purchase. All proceeds support "Harriet Beecher Stowe in Mandarin" and its eventual installation in Walter Jones Historical Park.

Brenda Councill's November 9th presentation is now available for viewing. Thank you to Olis Garber for capturing this wonderful event.

Thank you to those who have already committed their support to making "Harriet Beecher Stowe in Mandarin" a reality. Donors will enjoy recognition on a permanent plaque alongside the installation in Walter Jones Historical Park.

Mandarin Oaks | $10,000 - $24,999

Rosemary McCorkle

Thomas Davant Johns, Ph.D. and Gretchen Schaef Johns, M.D.

in memory of Thomas Joseph Agee

in honor of Sandy Arpen

Magnolias | $2500 - $9,999

Sandy and Tracey Arpen

Friends of Historic Mandarin | up to $2499

Pam Neumann

in memory of Dave Neumann and Ed Ralph

Mr. and Mrs. James M. Barker, IV

Virginia B. Barker

Peggy and Bill Armstrong

Carol and Jeff Anderson

Claire King

Jeff and Carrie Councill

2023 Limited Edition Ornament Available in the Museum Shop while supplies last! Handcrafted by a local artisan, and priced at $8 + tax, it is sure to go fast!

Two new cookbooks are also available in the Museum Shop. Priced at just $8.99, they make a great gift for the entertainer in your life. Look for this sign on the shelf!

Treat yourself, friends, and family to a membership to Mandarin Museum! We're rolling out our new membership program with added benefits at the Individual, Family, and Patron levels. It's a great way to support Museum programming and operations while enjoying increased access to arts & culture!

Mandarin Newsline





Read 2023 current and past issues of the Mandarin Newsline online now!

This free newspaper allows Mandarin Museum to share history, events, and programs with the public. The newspaper remains free to readers due to the robust local advertising. Please visit, shop, and eat at those businesses who support the community in this way.

Be sure to stop by the Museum to see the lovely period Christmas decor in the 1875 Farmhouse! Thank you Mandarin Garden Club for your time and talent during this busy season!

Thank you to all our community partners!

Mandarin Museum is funded in part through the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the City of Jacksonville.