We were so excited to finalize the cover of the Arcadia book "Images of America: Mandarin" that we have been working on this year.

This book has been a dream of Board Member and author, Susan Ford, and it will be a reality by the late Spring. It will be filled with black and white images of old Mandarin. It is very exciting for us and a perfect compliment to the new addition and renovation of the museum exhibits.

This cover was very intentionally selected because it represents a very important group of people - workers in Mandarin, Black and white. And, it was taken on the property that became Walter Jones Historical Park. It took a large number of men to pick the oranges, saw the timber, tend the large gardens of vegetables, and get it all to the wharf for loading onto the steamships. All of these skills drove Mandarin's economy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The book will include lots of history, including community activities, businesses and people. So, if you have an old black and white photo that you'd like us to consider, we're still writing the chapters and would love to see anything that anyone has related to Mandarin's history. Contact us at mandarinmuseum@bellsouth.net.

Much progress was made during a month of no rain! The roof is on, and siding and painting are now finished outside. Insulation, electric, some HVAC, sprinklers on the inside.

What you see here is the new Maple Leaf exhibit hall. It will contain the entire Maple Leaf story in one space and in an exciting and chronological way. Some new artifacts will be coming from the State of Florida Archives, Division of Historical Resources (they will be a surprise) and all new signage will be hanging. This National Historic Landmark shipwreck is a very important part of Mandarin's history and we are very pleased to have the most complete display related to it of any museum anywhere. It deserves its own room.

We will look forward to Dr. Keith Holland and his St. Johns Archaeological Expeditions diving team being back with us on the Grand Reopening day to meet and greet all the visitors who will be clamoring to see it. No date set yet...but ya'll will be the first to know!

Sadly, we must announce that the Winter Celebration Planning Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors voted at the meeting in October, to CANCEL the 21st Winter Celebration. It became clear that we would not have the expansion and renovation completed for a Grand Reopening by Dec. 4 and because, after the Delta variant, things also just seemed too unpredictable related to the pandemic. SO...we will look forward to finishing up the building and new exhibits in the museum and having a Grand Reopening event, hopefully by late Spring.

The Mandarin Museum will remain closed for construction and renovation, but the Gift Shop items (Mandarin Frogs, 2021 and all past years' holiday ornaments, Mandarin related and authored books, Mandarin History blankets and Mandarin artist prints) will be available on the front porch when the park buildings are open as listed above.

This really cool ladder is a reminder to be sure and check out the barn when you visit. This ladder is a hand made citrus ladder that was used in a grove on Mandarin Road. It consists of a small split tree trunk with hand made rails. These ladders would just be thrown up against an orange tree for the picker to climb. Volunteers George and Cathy Barnwell will greet you there...and believe me , they can tell you about every thing in that barn!

You may recall, in our June MMHS News we announced a special 2021 project to document by professional photographs, every remaining historic structure and place in Mandarin - for an archival record of what is here at this time. There were over 25 places identified when photographer Olis Garber took on this project as a generous volunteer.

Olis tackled the project immediately and has now completed it. And, the PS to this story, is that some of his photos will used in a major book project that will be disclosed at a later time.

This photo is of the Brown house on Mandarin Road. - built c. 1880. You may view these photos and more on Olis' website by clicking HERE. We are so grateful to Olis for his generosity of time and talent to this project. It is a gift to the community forever!

Mandarin Museum & Historical Society exists for the entire community's education and enjoyment. We have been able to operate all these years as a volunteer-led and free admission organization partly because of the support of our partnership with the City of Jacksonville Parks, Recreation and Community Services, the Cultural Service Grant Program, and other periodic grants, for which we are so grateful!

HOWEVER, a large portion of our operational support also comes from donations by our individual members and "museum friends." November starts our Annual Membership Drive - and we ask each of you to please renew your membership if you have one and to start a membership if you have not. There are various levels of membership available. There are a couple of tangible benefits like: discount on some many gift shop items and reciprocal discounts at other museums in the Southeastern Museums Conference. But the primary benefit is that you know you are supporting the preservation of the history, culture and heritage of this wonderful place we call Mandarin.

It's easy to become a member - to renew on-line click HERE. Current and past members will receive a membership envelope in the mail this month, but can also do it this way if preferred.

THANK YOU!