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Mandarin Museum News
September 2025
Embrace the Mandarin Experience
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Dear Friends,
We hear it often from first-time visitors to Mandarin Museum: "Wow! What a hidden gem!" And indeed, Mandarin Museum IS a gem. You know it from the moment you enter. You're greeted with warmth as our dedicated team of volunteers welcomes you into the galleries. It's the kind of welcome that makes you feel like you've gained a couple new friends. Once fully inside, you're enveloped with an incredible history. Again we hear, "Wow! I had no idea Mandarin has such a rich story!" It's true. I frequently tell guests that one could study the entirety of U.S. history using Mandarin as a lens. You get that sense as you make your way through each exhibit.
It's quite a task to create permanent exhibits in a small museum that are just as relevant to out-of-towners as they are to locals. It is so gratifying to know we've accomplished just that! This past month, we were honored to welcome the Anderson Family during their annual family reunion. Among many other ancestors represented in The Untold Story of Black Mandarin, Walter Anderson is featured prominently on an exhibit panel. A lifelong Mandarin resident, World War II Veteran, and retired civil servant, he donated acreage on Orange Pickers Rd. to Duval County in 1955 for the purpose of creating a park for Black residents during the Jim Crow era. In 2019, the park was officially named Walter Anderson Memorial Park. Watching grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles share this family history with the younger generations at their side reinforces the important role museums play in communities.
We were also honored to welcome Karen Fisk, Executive Director of the Stowe Center in Hartford, CT. Karen made the trek to Mandarin to learn more about Harriet Beecher Stowe's life in Florida and see firsthand "Harriet Beecher Stowe in Mandarin," the life-size bronze sculpture of the famed writer created by artist Brenda Councill. Emily Lisska, Karen, Sandy Arpen and I sat in the archives for what seemed like hours discussing the timeline of Harriet's life, the lesser known events, the intriguing or humorous aspects of her personality that are sometimes overlooked. It was a grand time (for us museum nerds, anyway)!
Now, thanks to News4Jax, we have the opportunity to officially be named BEST HIDDEN GEM in Jacksonville. Out of thousands of nominations, Mandarin Museum made it to the final round of voting! Keep scrolling for the link to vote.
And as always, I'll see you at the Museum!
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----Brittany Cohill
----Executive Director
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L to R: Emily Lisska, Karen Fisk, Sandy Arpen, Brittany Cohill | You may be prompted to create an account before voting, but don't let that deter you! Also, you can vote for us once PER DAY, every day through October 2nd! | | |
On Display Now - October 25
Vestiges of Historic Mandarin: En Plein Air
In partnership with the First Coast Plein Air Painters, Mandarin Museum is pleased to exhibit Vestiges of Historic Mandarin: En Plein Air. This juried art exhibition features contemporary works depicting some of Mandarin’s last remaining 19th and early-20th century structures and landscapes. Special thank you to artist Keith Doles who served as judge for the show.
| | Congratulations to First Place: "Shades of Brown" by Chris Flagg, Watercolor | |
First Saturday @ the Museum
Saturday, September 6
10:00 am to 2:00 pm
Join Mandarin Museum the first Saturday of every month from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm when all historic buildings throughout Walter Jones Historical Park will be open to the public.
The young and young at heart can pick up a free scavenger hunt at Museum Guest Services to complete as you visit the museum's exhibits and stroll along the park's paved pathways.
Learn more about the area's 19th-century past as museum volunteers greet you at the 1898 St. Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African American Children, the 1892 Losco Winery, the 1876 Barn, and the 1875 Webb-Jones Farmhouse.
The historic Mandarin Store & Post Office, located just down the road at 12471 Mandarin Rd., will also be open to visitors.
Admission is free.
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Mandarin Frog Painting
Saturday, September 6
10:00 am
Museum Front Lawn
Purchase, paint, and take home your very own Mandarin Frog (or sea turtle). The cost is $22 + tax per person and all supplies are provided. Advanced registration is required, payment is due upon arrival to the event. To sign up, please email info@mandarinmuseum.org.
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Meet the Maple Leaf Divers
Saturday, September 6
10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Maple Leaf Shipwreck Gallery
Meet the men who dove the Maple Leaf Shipwreck! On April 1, 1864, the Union steamboat Maple Leaf was sunk by Confederates in the St. Johns River just off Mandarin Point. In the 1980s, Dr. Keith Holland and his team of divers located and excavated the site. Now designated a National Historic Landmark, the nearly 3,000 artifacts they recovered have been entrusted to the State of Florida for preservation. Mandarin Museum displays many of these artifacts through a longterm partnership with the State Archives of Florida.
Dr. Holland and the Maple Leaf Divers will be in the gallery from 10:00 am to noon on Saturday, September 6th to meet with visitors. This is an informal, conversational-style event. Drop in to hear their story of discovery, recovery, and preservation.
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Join Mandarin Community Club and Mandarin Museum & Historical Society in welcoming Dr. Susanna Ashton, author of A Plausible Man: The True Story of the Escaped Slave Who Inspired Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This captivating event will explore the extraordinary life of John Andrew Jackson, the fugitive slave whose brief stay in Harriet Beecher Stowe’s home in 1850 inspired her to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a novel that fueled the abolitionist movement and reshaped American history.
Date: Friday, September 19
Time: Reception at 6:00 pm; Presentation at 7:00 pm
Admission: Free
Location: Mandarin Community Club, 12447 Mandarin Rd.
For more information, visit Mandarin Community Club's event page HERE.
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Mandarin Museum's 3rd Annual Fundraising Dinner: Always the River presented by Yoga Den
Thursday, September 25
6:00 to 9:00 pm
Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro
10110 San Jose Blvd.
| | Tickets are selling quickly. We anticipate a sold out event. | | |
Mandarin Museum & Historical Society is thrilled to host its 2025 annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, September 25th, at 6:00 pm at Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro. With a theme of “Always the River,” it will be a true celebration of what has been foundational to our love for the community and its history - the St. Johns River!
The evening features:
- An exciting Silent Auction
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Custom curated four-course menu based on the historic Church of Our Saviour's Always the River Cookbook
- Special Entertainment and Speakers highlighting Mandarin Museum's impact and the St. Johns River's central role in the community's history and culture
- Presentation of Mandarin Museum's inaugural Always the River Award. Congratulations to recipients, The Maple Leaf Divers!
| | Your Fundraising Dinner Committee has curated an incredible line up of items up for bid. There is no online auction - you must attend to bid. And trust us, you won't want to miss it! | | |
ALSO...
Florida Theatre tickets for 2 to Hotel California: A Tribute to The Eagles - Nov. 2025
Congaree & Penn Wagon Ride
FSCJ Artist Series Tickets & Parking Pass to Moulin Rouge Musical - March 2026
Designer Scarves from Dona Scarves
Family Pack of Tickets to the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens
Season Subscription for 2 to Theatre Jacksonville
Gift Cards to Local Favorites: The Bearded Pig, River & Fort and sister restaurants, Cooper's Hawk
Fine Art from artists including John Bunker, C. Ford Riley, Julie Fetzer, and more!
| | Thank you to our 2025 Presenting Sponsor, Yoga Den! | | | |
Dr. James and Mrs. Renee Waler
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| Sponsors for Museum Volunteer Dinner Tickets | | |
We are thrilled to welcome Jake Mikler to the Mandarin Museum team in the role of full-time Operations Manager. Jake oversees daily Museum operations and park tours, manages our wonderful volunteer corps, and assists with event planning and execution.
Jake comes to Mandarin Museum having held previous operations positions in Jacksonville University's Fine Arts Department and at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago.
Next time you're at Mandarin Museum, be sure to say hello!
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Mandarin Museum is excited to launch a new program designed to engage our young visitors - linking their experience inside Mandarin Museum to their experience outside in Walter Jones Historical Park.
Beginning Saturday, September 6th, Adventure Backpacks for Plein Air Painting will be available for families to check out at Mandarin Museum Guest Services! Visit our current art exhibit Vestiges of Historic Mandarin: En Plein Air for inspiration and then head out into the park for your own adventure!
Each Adventure Backpack includes:
- A Step-by-Step Guide for Young Artists
- Apron
- A Canvas
- Easel
- Pencil with eraser
- Watercolor paints
- Paint brushes
- Palette
- Color Pencils
- Re-useable cup with water
- Paper towels
YOU bring a blanket, hat/sunscreen, snacks & water, and creativity!
Six Adventure Backpacks are available for check out and are first come first served. Check out is FREE (OR donate any amount you'd like per backpack to help us replenish the items for the next young artist)! Please be sure to return the Adventure Backpack and all included items EXCEPT your masterpiece to Museum Guest Services when you're finished with your adventure!
| | Our August Third Thursday Lecture - "Roots and Routes": From Edisto to Florida - A Family's Journey is now available for viewing on Mandarin Museum's YouTube Channel! Thank you to all who attended, to our presenters Greg Estevez and Elaine Ford Jackson, and to our program partners, the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor. | |
Be a supporter of arts & culture in our community through the purchase of an annual membership! Every contribution made through the purchase of an annual membership enables us to fulfill our mission!
| | Mandarin Museum members at the Family Level and above automatically enjoy the benefits of NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum Association)! By supporting your favorite museum, you receive reciprocal member benefits at almost 1,500 museums, botanical gardens, aquariums, and more across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and The Cayman Islands. Simply show your Mandarin Museum membership card at participating locations! | | Museum members Tracey and Sandy Arpen recently visited the Imagine Museum in St. Petersburg and the Henry B. Plant Museum in Tampa. They enjoyed free admission (a savings of $46) by showing their Mandarin Museum membership card with NARM benefits! | | |
Read 2025 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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...spend some time with your Mandarin neighbors, feathered and otherwise!
A recent visitor to Mandarin Museum highlighted the fact that our museum is not only ADA accessible but also Avian accessible!
| | More ways to stay up-to-date! | | | |
Thank you to all our community partners!
Mandarin Museum is supported, in part, through the Cultural Service Grant Program administered by the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and funded by the City of Jacksonville.
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OUR 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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