Mandarin Museum News
May 2023
"Embrace the Mandarin Experience"
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Dear friends,
April was an exciting month behind the scenes at Mandarin Museum! Having continued steady progress toward a grand reopening this summer, we were pleased to receive additional support from the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville through their Capital Grant Program. With a grant award totaling more than $8700.00, we were able to upgrade our lighting throughout the art gallery and main exhibit space, add to our inventory of permanent display cases, and include a streamlining of our Museum Shop in the renovation's scope.
May will bring even more excitement. Our new art gallery is set for completion this week. The first exhibition will feature a number of Mandarin artists whose work is housed in our permanent collection. In the coming days, installation of our new permanent exhibit, The Untold Story of Black Mandarin, will begin. Our community-based Black history exhibit committee devoted countless hours over the last year researching, writing, editing, and curating to bring this important piece of Mandarin's story to life. Museum staff will also travel to the state archives in Tallahassee to retrieve several new artifacts on loan for our expanded Maple Leaf exhibit. One artifact is so large it will require the rental of a moving truck to transport it back to Mandarin!
We are so grateful for every individual and organization who has supported this endeavor! We cannot wait to invite you all to see the fruits of that support very soon!
In the meantime, be sure to visit us on the first and third Saturday of every month in Walter Jones Historical Park for a tour of our historic buildings.
Warm regards,
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Brittany Cohill
Executive Director
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Thank you to all who sent in naming suggestions for our Mandarin Frog in residence. With so many wonderful names coming in from our Mandarin community, some with compelling back stories, several to honor friends or family, the choice was not easy! However, it is with great pleasure that we introduce Charles Kermit I. Charlie has made himself at home, holding down important papers, and greeting everyone who enters the office with his toothy smile!
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Volunteer Spotlight
Joanne Bellovin
by Paula Suhey
"My daughter brought me here," said Joanne Bellovin when asked about her introduction to the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society. Her daughter knew Joanne loved Florida history and our natural resources and would enjoy walking through the park.
Joanne and her husband moved to the area from Ocala where she had been the Dean for Learning Resources at Central Florida Community College before she retired in 2011.
"I enjoy Florida history and the natural resources in our area and my daughter suggested I would enjoy the Museum", Joanne continued.
Joanne became a volunteer in 2016. Her favorite place to volunteer then was in the Schoolhouse. That surely is connected to her career in education from a high school English teacher to an academic librarian. Her pre-college education included 10 different elementary schools and five high schools because her dad was a Naval Aviator who was transferred often.
After an absence of 3 years, Joanne returned to this area in 2021 and was quick to rejoin our volunteer team.
Since then, she has spent some of her time helping the Museum using her knowledge and experience as a librarian organizing the newspaper files as well as volunteering in the Farmhouse and in the Schoolhouse (which had been her first love).
"I have loved this museum since 2016, and I am very happy to be back sharing that love with other volunteers and our guests," she said, "and I so appreciate the big picture of what it is. It is preserving the unique history of Mandarin and the wondrous beauty of nature in all its glory here on the river."
Joanne looks forward to the time that the Museum is once more opened each week and she hopes to volunteer at least twice each month.
"So many visitors say that they have lived here for years, but never knew about the park," she said, adding that she often chats with people who, like her, are just enjoying a walk in the park.
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In the Collections
Recently, University of North Florida Art History Professor, Dr. Elizabeth Heuer, stopped by the Museum archives to conduct research on Mandarin artists Memphis Wood and Lee Adams. The Museum's permanent collection contains over 60 pieces of Memphis Wood originals including large-scale fabric arts, paintings, sculptures, and more! In addition to these and our Lee Adams originals, our files contain a range of newspaper clippings, magazine articles, manuscripts, letters, and exhibition programs detailing both artists' fascinating careers. What a treat it was for archives volunteer Barbara Pucci and Museum Executive Director Brittany Cohill to view the collection alongside Dr. Heuer, listening to her commentary and interpretation of the sources.
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Florida Frontiers
On April 7th, Executive Director Brittany Cohill and Board Vice-President Sandy Arpen were featured on Florida Historical Society's Florida Frontiers Radio Program. Listen in as they speak with FHS Executive Director Ben Brotemarkle about the history of the 1898 Schoolhouse for African American Children, the process of moving and restoring it, and its present-day interpretation.
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The FIRST and THIRD Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm: The historic buildings in Walter Jones Park will be open including the 1875 Webb/Jones farmhouse, 1876 Barn, 1898 St. Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African-American Children, and Losco Winery log cabin. The Historic Mandarin Store & Post Office will be open on the THIRD Saturday only.
Saturday, May 6, 10:00 am: Paint Party on the Museum's front lawn. Paint your very own Mandarin Frog (or turtle or squirrel) and take it home with you same day! Space is limited. Email info@mandarinmuseum.org to register.
Sunday, May 7, 2:00 to 4:00 pm: Music Under the Oaks music jam. If you play an acoustic instrument, bring it and join the song circle. If you don't play, bring a lawn chair or blanket and sit under the oaks to enjoy the music. This is a FREE event, donations support the Museum's programming and operations.
Mandarin Museum's main building remains closed for renovation, but the Museum Shop is available when the park buildings are open as listed above.
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Thursday, May 18, 6:30 pm: Third Thursday Lecture: Jacksonville's Architectural Heritage, presented by Wayne Wood. This intriguing slide presentation will include highlights from Wayne Wood's new book, Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage: Bicentennial Edition, as well as stories and little-known facts about some of the city's most interesting buildings. The program will feature many newly discovered architectural gems, culturally significant buildings, and Mid-Century Modern landmarks not included in Wayne's original 1989 edition of the book. The Bicentennial Edition, signed by the author, will be available for purchase.
*There will be a venue change for this Third Thursday lecture. Details are forthcoming.
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Mother's Day is May 14th!
Mandarin Museum has the perfect gift
Is there a better way to say, "I love you, Mom," than with the gift of a concrete amphibian? We don't think so! The Museum Shop carries a lovely selection of painted Mandarin Frogs, perfect for Mom's front yard, flower bed, or patio! The shop will be open May 6th (10:00 am - 2:00 pm) and May 7th (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm). And for you really last minute shoppers, call the Museum after May 7th for availability of weekday drop-in purchases, (904) 268-0784.
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Save the Date
Thursday, August 17: Third Thursday Lecture. Greg Holbook, Executive Director of the New Smyrna Museum of History, will present on the Murray/Sheldon family, early 19th-century residents of Mandarin. Originally from Philadelphia, George Murray was a well-known engraver. The family also owned land grants in Mandarin and New Smyrna. Mr. Murray died young, and his wife and children came to Mandarin alone. Their daughter, Jane Murray, married John Dwight Sheldon in what is now Walter Jones Historical Park. Jane and Dwight buried three children on that land before selling the property in 1840. They moved to New Smyrna where they became well-known and distinguished citizens.
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Item of Interest from Councilman Michael Boylan
Public Zoning Ordinance 2023-0231 - Rezoning 10.34 acres on Loretto Road and County Dock Road.
Community Meeting – the applicant is to host a community meeting at the Mandarin Community Club, 12447 Mandarin Road, on May 15 at 7:00 pm. Please plan to attend if you would like to provide input!
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Mandarin Newsline
Read 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.
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Take a moment to stop and smell the magnolia blooms...
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More ways to stay up-to-date! |
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Thank you to our all of our community partners!
Mandarin Museum is funded in part through the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the City of Jacksonville.
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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.
VISIT. JOIN. VOLUNTEER.
Mandarin Museum & Historical Society
904-268-0784
info@mandarinmuseum.org
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