June 2023

N E W S L E T T E R

June's Museum Program

"Tracking History, New Smyrna's First Railroad"

Thursday, June 8th 6:30 PM

120 Sams Ave., New Smyrna Beach FL 32168

Join us as we explore the final chapter in the colorful history of New Smyrna railroading with the premier of "Tracking History, New Smyrna's First Railroad, The Blue Spring / Orange City / Atlantic" a film by Brion Reilly.

As a follow up to the two videos chronicling the Florida East Coast Railroad in New Smyrna Beach, we are excited to release this final chapter exploring the Blue Spring / Orange City / Atlantic. It was the first railway to come to New Smyrna, arriving a full 6 years prior to Henry Flagler's line. Don't miss this chance to see the film on a large projection screen and hear a first hand account of the project from the film's director, Brion Reilly.

Matinee Program

"FLORIDA: A History In Pictures"

Wednesday, June 21st at 2pm

Beginning with a long-running, popular social media presence, Mike McGinness and Jeff Davies have created a book that offers a photographic account of the Sunshine State through more than 130 images ― many of them published for the first time. From the stone fort at St. Augustine to the Everglades (or “The Big Swamp” as it was called early in the 20th century) to Bok Tower Gardens, and much more, "Florida: A History in Pictures" offers a stunning portrait of our state. Join us as we hear how McGinness and Davies tracked down these rare photos and discovered the stories behind the pictures.



President's Pen

My name is Brion Reilly. I have served on the Board of Directors and various committees since 2018. At our May 11th board meeting, I was elected president of the Southeast Volusia Historical Society. I certainly appreciate the support expressed by all of my fellow board members. The Society has always been led by a dedicated group of hard-working people with a love of history and I hope to continue that tradition. 

Summertime is usually considered the slow season for museum visitors. However, behind the scenes, our teams continue to keep the museum running in top form. We just held a very successful member cookout with great food and a beachy Floridays theme. I want to say thanks again to our sponsors, vendors, guest speakers, and most of all, to our talented volunteers who made it all happen. Over the next 3 months our Executive Director Greg Holbrook has planned an exciting events calendar for our Thursday evening community programs as well as a few Wednesday matinee programs. 

In some ways, 2023 marks the beginning of a new era here at the museum. It’s hard to imagine, but in just 2 short years, this building, which started out as the New Smyrna Post Office back in 1925, will turn 100 years old. The Historical Society is taking on the daunting task of not only making physical improvements to our aging infrastructure, but also updating our exhibit space as well. Over the next 24 months, you will be hearing about our plans for this major museum renovation.

As the Society President, I am encouraging everyone to join us in this effort. We have a strong base consisting of 383 paid memberships and 433 viewers who follow us on our YouTube channel. A project of this magnitude will not only require the financial support of the community but also a commitment to volunteering as well. As we roll out the plans for this project, I hope you will become as excited about a new vision for the museum as we are. 

I would like to close by mentioning that there are several opportunities for volunteering at the museum right now. Perhaps you might be interested in greeting visitors at the front desk, working on our exhibit team, or filling one of the open positions on our Board of Directors. Why not bring your skills and dedication to 120 Sams Avenue and help guide our museum into the next 100 years of New Smyrna History.

Brion Reilly, President

Southeast Volusia Historical Society

Cool Summer-Time Tees

Perfect for hot summer days, this cool 100% cotton tee is printed in a soft neutral gray and features the logo of the New Smyrna Museum of History on the front. The back of the shirt is the logo of an organization formerly known as the New Smyrna and Coronado Beach Board of Trade. The old logo features a ships wheel with the words "Steer For New Smyrna / Gateway to Central Florida" . In the center of the logo the map reveals many of the old rail lines that serviced east central Florida, including names of cities and stops on the routes that no longer exist, and a few that still do.

Order Today:

https://nsbhistory.shopsettings.com/Ship-Wheel-Tee-p558160590

"Florida's Living Beaches"

by Blair and Dawn Witherington

What better way to immerse yourself in beach season, than "Florida's Living Beaches" by Blair and Dawn Witherington, 2nd Edition. A guide to the natural history of Florida beaches with 1350 color images, 520 maps, and descriptive accounts of over 1400 items. Florida has 1200 miles of coastline, almost 700 miles of which are sandy beaches. Exploring along those beaches brings encounters with a diversity of plants, animals, minerals and manmade objects. All are covered extensively in this comprehensive guide.

Order Today: https://nsbhistory.shopsettings.com/Floridas-Living-Beaches-2nd-Edition-p436255157

Above - Dr. Frank Farmer gives the Oath Of Office to eight members of the incoming Board of Directors for the Southeast Volusia Historical Society at May's Member's Cookout event. Eighty-five people joined the festivities at the Floridays themed 2023 Member Cookout event. Attendees enjoyed grilled burgers and hotdogs along with a wonderful selection of side dishes and desserts provided by our members. In order to match our Floridays beach theme, margaritas were provided compliments of Clancy's Cantina and Cafe Verde'. Members who attended were surprised with a free raffle of collectable items and a surprise advanced screening of "Tracking History, New Smyrna's First Railroad". Thanks to all our volunteers and members who attended and made this year's event a great success!

Pictured above from left to right: Dr. Frank Farmer, Glenn Reeder, Gary Swanson, Drew Mays, Brion Reilly, Carol Ladd, Tom Wright, Jim Englebrecht, and Stewart Davis.

Below: More photos of Floridays fun as we kicked off the summer season at this year's member's cookout.

High School Student from Germany

Interns at Museum

Our museum volunteers and staff were very happy to have Henrike Koscharre, an international business studies student from the Frankfort Germany area with us for 2 weeks. Henrike joined us for the last week of our walking tours in April, and was able to explore the day to day, and behind the scenes operations at the museum. We hope Henrike enjoyed her time here as much as we enjoyed having her. Pictured above: Museum volunteer and guide Linda Cody with Henrike.

July's Museum Program

Turnbull’s “Golden Dreams”

British East Florida 1763 to 1783 and the failed

Smyrnéa settlement. 

 Thursday, July 13th @ 6:30 PM

In 1768, 1255 colonists arrive and begin the largest settlement ever attempted in the Americas.

Dr Andrew Turnbull held fast to his “Golden Dreams”, however, after nine years of extreme hardships, misfortune, mismanagement, and mistreatment of the settlers, the settlement collapsed. The story, told through family oral history, and written about by scholars has been expanded though the letters found in the Duncan archive in Scotland. Explore the multiple causes to its inevitable failure.

Oral History Workshop Available Through

Volusia County Library in Daytona

Oral history interviews can be conducted not only on family members, but on older members of the community or of a particular church. It’s a wonderful way to preserve memories before they are lost.

In this one-hour program, Dr. Ford will walk us through the process of conducting oral history interviews. Following the guidelines of the International Oral History Association and using the sample questions provided as a springboard, you’ll be able to easily start an oral history interview with the subject of your choice.

Dr. Jeannette Ford is a retired history professor from Bethune Cookman University. For questions or more information, contact Kim Dolce: kdolce@volusia.org, 386-257-6036 ext. 16315

Your Membership and Support Matters!

To become a member, Click Here

New Members:

Jana Caswell

Angelo Parra

Arline Vanderhoof

John Frankhauser

Ann Liberman

Michelle LoCicero Wheeler

Lynn Farrelly

Victor Vaccaro

Robert Pineda

Make your donation today by 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.

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