October was an active and productive month for Halifax Historical Museum. The museum successfully hosted its Annual Surf Social, generating strong community participation and nearly $10,000 in revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, raffles, donations, and memberships.
The new rotating exhibit, Disasters in Daytona Beach, opened to positive interest, while membership revenue and volunteer hours continued to show significant growth. The museum also achieved an important milestone in accessibility and preservation, with its collection of historic maps now available online through the UCF RICHES digital archive program. Work continues with the Vertical File project, which is making valuable local history resources more accessible to researchers and the public.
Looking ahead, Caleb has begun developing the museum's next major exhibit, exploring the rich history of sports in the Halifax area, from surfing and other water sports to football, baseball, and Jai Alai, highlighting the region's longstanding athletic traditions and cultural impact.
Carol Ann Moritz & Caleb Canlon | | |
Teller Talk Tuesday
The Cincinnati Reds & the Historic Pacetti Hotel with Zach Hopple
November 3rd, 2:00pm
Discover the surprising connection between the Historic Pacetti Hotel and the Cincinnati Reds in this fast-paced and entertaining presentation!
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Worst Hurricanes and the Weather Predictions for our Future with Dr. Chris Herbster
November 11th, 2:00pm
Join Chris Herbster, ERAU Meteorology Professor, for a fascinating look at Florida’s hurricane history, including memorable storms that impacted Daytona Beach and what changing climate patterns could mean for our region in the years ahead.
Come learn more about the forces that have shaped our coast and what may be on the horizon.
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November 14th, 2:00pm
Join Ryan Estes, Stetson graduate and historical researcher, as he shares the stories of the Union veterans buried in Pinewood Cemetery and other local cemeteries.
Nearly 50 Union veterans made their final home in the Daytona area, and many went on to become influential members of the community. Come discover how their lives helped shape Daytona Beach from the late 1800s into the early 20th century.
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The History & Service of the Daytona Beach Police Department with Magen Geary
November 17th, 2:00pm
Join the Daytona Beach Police Department for a look at the history of the department and how law enforcement has served the community through the years.
The program will also explore how DBPD prepares for hurricanes and other severe weather, responds during major events, and works with local partners to help keep Daytona Beach safe during times of crisis.
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Florida Vistas Book Club
Lesser Haven By: Christie Caliendo
November 19th, 2:00pm
This month’s selection takes readers deep into rural Florida, where former reporter Callie Crispen retreats to the edge of Lake Okeechobee hoping for a quiet place to write. Instead, she meets Sandy, a teenage girl raised in isolation by an abusive, fanatically religious father, and begins uncovering a story the surrounding community would rather ignore.
If you enjoy compelling characters, Florida settings, and books that give you plenty to talk about, join us at the Halifax Historical Museum for our next Book Club discussion!
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Thanksgiving Traditions
Through the Years
November 20th, 2:00pm
Take a look at how Thanksgiving traditions have changed over the past 125 years, from simple home-cooked meals and community gatherings to football, travel, parades, volunteering, and Black Friday.
While the way we celebrate has evolved, the heart of the holiday remains the same: gratitude, family, and togetherness.
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A Visual History of
Daytona Beach
The Emery Murals
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In 1947 the Florida National Bank commissioned father and son artist, Don J. and Don W. Emery to create six murals. These beautiful murals were completed in 1950 and today are preserved at the Halifax Historical Museum. They offer a vivid look at what our area looked like in 1950.
Want to take a closer look? Our new webpage shares the story behind the murals and highlights each scene, including the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Sugar Mill Ruins, Beach and Dunes, Sailboat in the Inlet, and more.
Click here to view The Emery Murals
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EMBRY-RIDDLE FLEW IN ON A WING AND A PRAYER
By Kathy Kelly
Seeing the phenomenal success and growth of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, it’s tough to believe the story of its ragtag arrival in Daytona Beach in April 1965.
City leaders raised $75,000 to assist the fledgling flight school in its move from Miami. “Operation Bootstrap’ recruited community volunteers to drive 31 borrowed trucks to transport everything the company owned.
The closing of the Tamiami Airport, where E-R was conducting its flight operations, forced the hand of school administrators to accept an offer to move here after a ground root effort on the part of citizens here to finance the move.
An airline hanger was dismantled, then reassembled here. A total of 20 aircraft made the one-way flight. Within a few weeks, administrators learned the depth of the commitment civic leaders and residents had made to help establish Embry-Riddle’s campus here.
Talton Graham Embry and John Paul Riddle founded the Embry-Riddle Company in Cincinnati, Ohio to provide flight training under the Civilian Pilot Training Program.
Alumni of the school included President John F. Kennedy. Embry-Riddle moved to Daytona Beach from Miami after becoming a non-profit.
Established here first as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Institute, the name was changed to E-R Aeronautical University in 1970, two years after accreditation.
President Jack R. Hunt’s vision for the campus was surpassed. The university has a worldwide reputation for excellence in science, engineering and education.
The university operates two campuses – one in Daytona Beach and the other is in Prescott, Arizona.
The institution enjoys academic rankings in several categories, regional universities, best value schools, best undergraduate engineering programs and best undergraduate aerospace/aeronautical, astronautical engineering programs.
The college serves a total student population of more than 22,000. A total of 10 American astronauts has been graduates of Embry-Riddle.
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This was the best Surf Social ever! Despite the weather keeping people home and Biketoberfest competing for everyone's attention, we had an incredible evening. Our sponsors contributed $5,500, and those fabulous raffle prizes brought in another $2,019. Together, that's $7,519 from sponsorships and the raffle alone!
Surf Social has become our biggest annual fundraiser and how important the generosity of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers is to the museum.
The response cards reflected a very positive experience. Guests complimented the event and the raffle prizes, with comments including "Great Event" and "Amazing Prizes." Several responses also indicated repeat attendance, showing that Surf Social continues to be an event our supporters look forward to.
Don’t miss it next year!
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252 S. Beach Street, Daytona Beach, FL 32114
(386) 255-6976
Open: Tuesday-Saturday 10am - 4pm
$10 per person
Children 12 & under FREE
| | This publication is made possible in part with funding from the Cultural Council of Volusia County (volusia.org), Florida Humanities, State of Florida, City of Daytona Beach, and Halifax Historical Society membership. | | | | |
