SUMMER 2026

MUSEUM MUSINGS

On Tuesday, August 4, the museum will host Clewiston's educators for the 6th Annual Teacher Appreciation & Welcome-Back Luncheon & Celebration—an event that has become a favorite tradition and one that teachers look forward to every year. The celebration begins at 12:00 p.m. and will include a complimentary luncheon, door prizes, goodie bags, and cash giveaways for approximately 200 teachers, principals, and district administrators.

The luncheon is made possible through the generosity of Clewiston's local restaurants, which donate food, beverages, and supplies. Financial contributions from local businesses provide cash giveaways that teachers can use to purchase classroom supplies and educational materials for their students.



This celebration would not be possible without the generous financial support, donated goods, and volunteer efforts of Clewiston's business community. Their continued partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to recognizing the dedication of our educators and investing in the success of the students they serve.

Florida, nearly every state in the nation, and neighboring countries to our north and south. We also welcomed international visitors from as far away as Switzerland, South Africa, and this year's distance champion…Australia! No matter where they traveled from, it was our privilege to share the rich history of Clewiston and the surrounding communities with each and every one of them.

Through the Florida Humanities Florida Talks grant program, we welcomed outstanding speakers from across the state who shared engaging presentations on a wide variety of Florida history and culture topics with our Clewiston community. We were also fortunate to receive support from a generous new museum donor whose contribution ensured that the series remained free for both the museum and our guests. We extend our heartfelt thanks to Florida Humanities and our new friend for helping make Museum After Hours such a wonderful success.

partner, Clyde Johnson Contracting & Roofing Inc., that goal is now nearly complete.

The 2025–2026 Florida History Program concluded in March, marking another spectacular year. For the eighth consecutive year, the Batchelor Foundation funded eight one-hour Florida history lessons for approximately 300 fourth-grade students in Clewiston.

Museum Director Leigh Woodham and volunteer Celeste Saulle brought Florida's rich history to life through a curriculum that begins in prehistoric times, when Florida was still beneath the sea. Students were fascinated to learn about the ancient marine life and land animals that once inhabited our region. They are always surprised—and a little disappointed—to discover that dinosaurs never roamed Florida because much of the state was underwater during the age of dinosaurs.

The lessons continued through Florida's early history, where students enjoyed vivid accounts of encounters between Indigenous peoples and European explorers while trying on replica conquistador armor and handling historical artifacts. They were captivated by the stories of the devastating hurricanes of 1926 and 1928, and many were excited to see familiar photographs and learn about Clewiston's history, including the cattle, sugar, and commercial fishing industries.

One of the program's most anticipated experiences was a visit from award-winning Florida storyteller Carrie Sue Ayvar. With her engaging storytelling, music, and audience participation, she transported students back in time, bringing Florida's diverse cultures and colorful history to life. Her animated presentation captivated the students' imaginations and made history both memorable and fun.

The program culminated with the students' annual visit to the museum, where they experienced many of the artifacts they had learned about in the classroom. Favorites included the fossil gallery, featuring the giant sea tortoise shell and mastodon remains.

For many students, however, the highlight of the program was a ride aboard the Sugar Express. For some, it was their very first train ride, and their excitement shows in the photos!

Throughout the program, Florida history came alive in meaningful and memorable ways. Judging by the students' enthusiasm and glowing reviews, this year's program was another tremendous success.

For this edition of Museum Musings, we're shining the spotlight on one of our very popular exhibits—Beautiful Lake Okeechobee—the wildlife of Lake Okeechobee and the history of hunting in our region.

Lake Okeechobee and the surrounding area are home to an incredible variety of wildlife, including native, threatened, and endangered species. The exhibit features mounted specimens of a wild boar, Osceola turkey, blue-winged teal, American alligator, eastern diamondback rattlesnake, and several species of fish found in Lake Okeechobee, giving visitors an up-close look at the animals that have long been part of our local landscape.

The exhibit also explores the role of hunting in our area's history and the importance of regulated hunting in maintaining healthy wildlife populations. Among the highlights is a display featuring local outdoorsman Dean Holland and his impressive collection of Osceola turkey beards, along with numerous historic photographs that capture generations of hunting traditions in the Lake Okeechobee region.



This issue features just a few of those historic images. We hope you'll stop by the museum to experience the entire exhibit and discover more about the wildlife and outdoor heritage that have helped shape our community.

The Clewiston Museum is a self-supporting 501(c)(3) corporation. We rely on the support of our members, partners, sponsors, grants, donations, gift shop sales, admissions, and fundraising events. Memberships start at $50! Please consider becoming a member today! Visit theclewistonmuseum.org for more information.