June 2022 N E W S L E T T E R

Members' Cookout Thursday, May 12th 2022

On Thursday, May 12th the museum held its first members' event since late 2019 with the return of our annual members' cookout. The event was attended by 50 people who turned out to share some pot-luck style food service with hamburgers and hotdogs scorched to perfection and provided by the Southeast Volusia Historical Society and Museum. Pictured above, Museum Executive Director Greg Holbrook introduces members of the 2022-23 Board of Director to the museum membership. A highpoint during the event was when museum member Dr. Frank Farmer presented the membership with a new WWII Memorial display featuring the names of veterans who served from Southeast Volusia County. As you can see from the photos below, this colorful exhibit piece will be a beautiful partner to our WWI display board and our Vietnam memorial display board. The WWII display board is the culmination of 4 years of research by Dr. Farmer who was joined by Tom Wright and assisted by others who stepped in to help with this important project. We find ourselves yet again awestruck and grateful to Dr. Farmer who has invested a significant amount of his personal time and resources to honor and preserve the stories of the men and women of Southeast Volusia County who served their country.

Another object that was introduced to our members at this year's cookout was John D. Sheldon's sea chest.

If you are familiar with the history of Southeast Volusia County, you likely remember the name John Sheldon. John was hired in 1830 to manage the sugar plantation that was being developed by Depeyster and Cruger. The two men had partnered and contracted the sugar mill to be built just west of New Smyrna which is today located at 600 Mission Drive. John and his wife Jane Sheldon remained here until the Second Seminole War began when the sugar mill and their employee home was destroyed on Christmas Eve 1835. John and Jane returned later and purchased the property along the riverfront where Old Fort Park and the County Courthouse building are located. Members of the Sheldon family recently worked with us at the museum to update the status of their family collection. The family items which were on loan to the museum are now accessed into our formal museum collection. We were especially thrilled to receive John Sheldon's Sea Chest which had been retained by the family since John passed away back in 1862. It is now on display near the rest of the Sheldon family items in the back of the museum gallery. Make plans to stop by sometime this summer and take a look at the new items and updates that have taken place here at the New Smyrna Museum of History.

Museum Program Thursday, June 9th @ 6:30 PM Dr. Turnbull’s preparations for the New Smyrna Settlement with Lea Craig

Lea Craig with “The Minorcan Experience” of St. Augustine will share information garnered from the Turnbull Letters which were in an archive in Scotland. The presentation will explore Dr. Andrew Turnbull’s initial plans and preparations to begin what ended up being the largest settlement attempt by the British in North America.

President's Pen By Marv Owens Executive Director, New Smyrna Museum of History

I would like to take a moment to thank all of those who were so supportive to have me back in the Museum as well as being your new Historical Society President. Gary Swanson did an incredible job during his time as president of the SEVHS. Thanks, Gary, for all your support and guidance over the past four years.  The members' cookout was a great success with around fifty members attending. I’m excited about our continuing speaker series scheduled for this summer here in the museum.  As president I am looking forward to working with everyone to make our Museum an enjoyable experience for our volunteers and visitors alike. If I can be of assistance or help you with anything, please let me know. My cell number is 386-427-5796  See you at the Museum,  Marv Owens

The Museum Store Our most popular shirt is now back in stock!

The men's tee featuring a graphic developed from an image that appeared on a Chamber Of Commerce brochure from the 1930s became our biggest selling shirt of the winter season. We now have this shirt back in stock in the most popular sizes. Get yours today by visiting the Museum Store or Order Mens shirt Online Today! Note - this fitted t-shirt runs about 1 size small in the mens sizes and 2 sizes small in womens...sorry ladies. Order Ladies shirt Online Today! Please order accordingly or pop by in person to try one on.

New Title Explores How Florida Inspired Writers

From the Spanish explorer Cabeza de Vaca to James Patterson, writers have found inspiration in the Florida sunshine. Ernest Hemingway met his future wife at Sloppy Joe's in Key West. John Kennedy recovered from back surgery in Palm Beach while working on his Pulitzer Prize-winning book. James Weldon Johnson wrote what became the "Black national anthem" at the Stanton School in Jacksonville. And Edna St. Vincent Millay watched in shock as her manuscript went up in flames in Sanibel. Florida historican James Clark tells the stories of scores of writers, including Robert Frost, Jack Kerouac, John D. MacDonald and Stephen King. Hunter S. Thompson driving through the streets of Key West using a bullhorn to warn the citizens, Tennessee Williams partying with Truman Capote, Ring Lardner planning a get-together with Al Capone...it's all here. Order Your Copy Today!

Veterans' History Project

Army Major Erick Piskator is the subject of this month's Veterans' History Project. Major Piskator is interviewed by Dr. Frank Farmer and talks about fighting with armored units in two overseas conflicts. He first saw action in the central highlands of Vietnam. 20 years later, as a member of the Army Reserve, he was called up to active duty for Operation Desert Storm. View Video by Clicking Here

Museum Community News

Community Meeting Space Now Available! We are excited to announce the return of community meeting space at the museum! Back in 2016 hurricane Matthew destroyed our lift that serviced the upstairs area at the museum.

Thanks to the Volusia County Echo program, we have re-established lift service to the upstairs area and are eagar to host our community partners again.  The meeting space will easily host a small group meeting and can be set up for a round-the-table meeting as shown in the photo, or the room can also be set up theater style to seat approx. 30 people. If your local civic organization or non-profit needs a place to meet, please reach out to us here at the museum.

Coming Up Next Month Thursday, July 14th 2022 Museum Program Zach Zacharias Presents "Florida Forts on the Edge of Empire"

Zach Zacharias is the senior curator of education and history with the Museum of Arts and Science in Daytona, and is a regional favorite for this lively research and presentations. We are excited for his return as he talks about his book, "Florida Forts on the Edge of Empire". The book tells the story of many of the great fortifications that are found all over the state from Pensacola to the Dry Tortugas. Florida had approximately 400 forts, this book details the roughly 13 forts you can visit as a tourist.

Your Membership and Support Matters! To become a member, Click Here New Members: Rosalind Huggins Suzi Bailey Irvan A. Owens Jr. Garat Oates

The Southeast Volusia Historical Society was recently awarded the Guidestar Silver Seal of transparency to acknowledge the level of dedication that we provide to donors, organizations and government entities who consider donating to our organization.

Make your donation today via mail to: Southeast Volusia Historical Society Inc. P.O. Box 968 New Smyrna Beach FL 32170-0968 Donations can also be processed online by clicking the button below: Donate Now Talk to your investment planner about how you can donate your mandatory minimum IRA distribution directly to the Southeast Volusia Historical Society and not pay personal income tax on the distribution. 

Museum Hours Tuesday - Saturday 10 AM - 4 PM Adults 18+ $8 Young Adults 11-17 $5 10 & Under Free Members Free

The New Smyrna Museum of History 120 Sams Ave., New Smyrna Beach Fl. 32168 Phone: 386.478.0052 www.NSBHistory.org nsmofhistory@gmail.com PO Box 968, NSB, Fl. 32170-0968