Historical Society Celebrates Silver Anniversary

Wakulla County Historical Society formed 1991, today in 2016, we celebrate our Silver Anniversary on Tuesday, October 11, 7:00 pm. The celebration will be held in the Heart of Historic Crawfordville at First Baptist Church Christian Life Center 3086 Crawfordville Highway.   Tickets $25 prepaid by mail or at Museum. Buffet meal catered by Judi Bunch Featuring barbershop harmony by In-A-Chord of The Capital Chordsmen of Tallahassee.
Doors open at 6:00 pm Membership Registration Only Applications available online http://wakullahistory.org/application.pdf
WCHS Museum & Archives 24 High Drive · Post Office Box 151 Crawfordville FL 32326 850.926-1110

Donald L. Tucker, Wakulla Native, March 10, 7:00 PM, WCHS Program

Donald L. Tucker       Former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives 1976–1980

Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 PM, Wakulla County Public Library the speaker for our WCHS second Tuesday program is Donald L. Tucker.  We appreciate Don’s faithfulness as a WCHS member and contributor.

The Wakulla County History Society looks forward to another interesting program featuring a Wakulla native whose name is well-known, not only in Wakulla and Leon counties but also throughout the southern states.  Does Donald L. Tucker sound familiar? Of course, there are few days that the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center is not mentioned in the Tallahassee news and activities.  Many Wakulla residents think of the person, Donald Tucker, rather than the Civic Center when we hear the title.

Don, son of former Florida Senator Luther C. Tucker and wife, Grace Spears Tucker, grew up in Crawfordville, graduating from Crawfordville High School in 1953.  Don, senior class president, student body president, and football team captain also attended Florida Boys State where he was elected Governor. After graduating high school, he attended Brigham Young University, enlisted in the Army and after being honorably discharged, served two years as a missionary. After receiving his law degree from the University of Florida, Don began his law practice in Tallahassee and built his home in Crawfordville.

In 1966, Don ran for, and was elected to represent Wakulla, Leon and Franklin Counties in the Florida Legislature.  He was reelected the following five terms becoming Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, the only Speaker in Florida’s history to preside over four consecutive regular legislative sessions.  He was chosen by fellow representatives on two occasions to receive the Florida Times Union Award as “Most Effective Member of the Legislature.”

In 1977, the Legislature unanimously passed the bill signed by Gov. Askew naming the Tallahassee Civic Center “The Donald L. Tucker Civic Center.” Don is also proud that he was responsible for the Continuing Education Center, the Gus Turnbull Building at FSU and the basketball arena at the University of Florida, “The O’Connell Center”.

He was appointed Chairman of the Latin American-Caribbean Commission by Governor Askew and was nominated by President Carter to be Vice-Chair of the Civil Aeronautics Board as well as commissioning him to serve as Special Ambassador to the Dominican Republic.

The Tallahassee Democrat had an extensive article about Don Tucker in April of 1976 in which he is portrayed as a savvy politician enjoying the game, but very much playing to win.  Perhaps that is a very appropriate remark for the man whose name is on the Civic Arena.

The public is invited to attend our meeting on the 2nd Tuesday evening of March, 7pm, at the Wakulla Library.  Come to meet and greet Don and to hear from a Wakulla County native that “made it in the world of politics.”

Submitted by Betty Green

WCHS to feature Robert Buccellato, author of Florida Governors: Lasting Legacies.

Wakulla County Historical Society Second Tuesday Program
February 10, 7:00 PM, Wakulla County Public Library

The Wakulla County Historical Society’s February 10 program features Robert Buccellato, author of a new book entitled Florida Governors: Lasting Legacies.  This 128 page book with 194 photographs will be released by Arcadia Publishing on February 2.  “Florida has a rich and diverse history, with a wealth of exciting events and colorful characters that form a brilliant narrative for any lover of history,” Buccellato said.  Highlights of this book include a foreword by Governor Wayne Mixon, new insights into forgotten figures of Florida’s past, and 200 years of Florida history covered in one book.  The Historical Society will have these books available for sale at the February 10 meeting and in the Old Jail Gift Shop in the WCHS Museum & Archives.

Robert Buccellato, 28, is a noted historian of the Florida governorship and the authorized biographer of Governor Wayne Mixon.  His second book on the Life and Politics of Florida’s 39^th Governor will be released by The History Press in August 2015.  He is a graduate of Florida State University and lives in Crawfordville with his wife Stephanie.

Wayne Mixon served as lieutenant governor during the Bob Graham administration and became Florida’s 39^th governor in January 1987 when Graham stepped down to take his seat in the United States Senate.  Mixon served as governor for three days until Bob Martinez’s inauguration.

For more information contact the Wakulla County Historical Society Museum & Archives, located at 24 High Drive in Crawfordville, at 850-926-1110 or 24research@gmail.com. Business Hours are Thursday/Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

J. Harold Thurmond & Judge Mike Carter Share Wakulla County’s Rich History

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The Historical Society’s second Tuesday program in January Judges of the 1800s and 1900s featured speakers J. Harold Thurmond, retired Clerk of Court, and Mike Carter, retired County Judge.

Thurmond’s remarks included: H.L. Henderson (1871), W.T. Duval (1873, 1877), W.A. Giles (1881), B.S. Smith (1885), W.A. Giles (1887), C.M. Cox (1888), William H. Walker (1890), W.W. Giles (1891), and S.J. Giles (1895). WCHS member Helen Harvey, who regularly attends the programs, commented that she was impressed with the “spectacular research Harold did to share so many interesting facts.” Thurmond’s humor, teaching background, and talent for storytelling mesmerized the audience. He commended the effort of his “whole family” to produce the presentation while daughter Jana monitored the slide show.

Mike Carter litigated the last case ever tried in the Historic Wakulla County Courthouse (c. 1892) and his remarks began with R. Don McLeod who presided as county judge from 1901 to 1928. McLeod’s famous ruling that a mullet is a bird because it has a gizzard occurred in the old courthouse which has sported a mullet weathervane since it was restored by the Chamber of Commerce. Carter continued the topic with Raney Whaley (1928), A.L. Porter (1932), George Harper (1956), Evelyn Flack (1974), Michael Carter (1983), and Jill Walker (1990). Carter shared many stories of personal interaction with Judge Porter and fellow lawyer Jewell Hudson during his career of practicing law. Carter also recounted with good humor the controversial election between himself and Judge Flack.

Both Carter and Thurmond are active Historical Society members. Program Chairman Betty Green said, “We are so thankful to have people who are willing to share the rich history of Wakulla County with such fascination. We really appreciate their support.” Alongside Thurmond’s family in the audience were Judge Harper’s widow, Naomi, and sons George, Kenny, and Larry. All historical programs are recorded and available on CD upon request in the Old Jail Gift Shop. Historical Society meetings are on the second Tuesday, September through May, except October and December, at 7:00 pm in the Public Library at 4330 Crawfordville Highway. The Wakulla County Historical Society Museum & Archives is located on Courthouse Square at 24 High Drive in Crawfordville and is open Thursday and Friday from 10:00 am until 4:00 pm and Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

By Arkad

Sammy Tedder Featured At November 11 Meeting

SAMMY TEDDER

Wakulla County Historical Society’s Regular Monthly Meeting
Tuesday, November 11, 7:00 pm, Wakulla County Public Library
Featuring Sammy Tedder’s Florida Soundscapes: Music from the Elements of Nature.
Sammy will be performing selections from his nature documentary soundtrack albums, playing various saxophones and his handmade river cane and bamboo flutes surrounded by the sounds of Florida’s
wild places.

What Does WCHS Offer?

AND MUCH MORE…. Call us at 850-926-1110.

WCHS Monthly Meeting To Be Held At St. Marks March 11, 7:00 P.M.

The #Wakulla County Historical Society program on Tuesday, March 11 (7:00 PM) will be held in Saint Marks at the San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park Museum. The presentation #“Wakulla County River Town, 1835-1865” will feature speaker Alva T. Stone describing the lives of her great, great grandfather, Dr. James M. Madden and other relatives who lived in Saint Marks, Port Leon, and New Port during the territorial and early statehood era. Ms. Stone, from Jacksonville, earned her bachelors and masters degrees at FSU. Upon retirement from libraries at FSU she remains in Tallahassee. There is no admission fee. For more information contact the WCHS at 24research@gmail.com, 850-926-1110, or visit the Museum at 24 High Drive on Courthouse Square in Crawfordville during business hours—Thursday and Friday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM or Saturday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.

“Looking Back At The Wakulla Community” Wakulla County Historical Society’s Monthly Program

Tuesday, February 11, 7pm, Wakulla County Public Library

With support and aid from Eddie Page and reports from other residents of the community formerly known as Wakulla Station, Betty Green will chair the WCHS program for February, “Looking back at the Wakulla Community”.  We look forward to sharing pictures and stories of the once busy little community that produced several leaders in Wakulla County as well as the state.  As we have found from past meetings pertaining to particular communities, we always come up with interesting stories and facts about Wakulla County’s past.  The public is encouraged to join us Tuesday evening, February 11, 7 pm, at the Wakulla County Public Library for another session of “Looking Back”!

#EddiePage  #WakullaCountyHistoricalSociety

WCHS Regular Monthly Meeting at Panacea Welcome Center Tonight

Join us tonight for a treat! The Thompson Family will reflect on growing up in Panacea.

Tuesday, February 12th at 7 pm at the Welcome Center in Panacea located at 1505 Coastal Hwy. Helen Thompson Vaughn and her brothers, Nathan Thompson, Jr. and Larry Thompson will share “Reflections of Panacea” as they recall memories of people, places and activities of the community of Panacea where they, their families and friends have resided for many years. Program attendants will also be privileged to see the new art exhibit in the Center. Come early and tour the Center and enjoy refreshments provided by the Welcome Center volunteers.

Honorable Judge James E. Joanos To Speak In January

The Wakulla County Historical Society’s regular program speaker for its January 8 meeting will be the Honorable Judge James E. Joanos.  Judge Joanos is a former Chief Judge of Florida’s First District Court of Appeal (1991-93), where he served as an appellate judge for 20 years.  Before serving on the appellate court, Judge Joanos was a trial judge on the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida for 29 years.  The Second Circuit is comprised of Franklin, Gadsden, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties.

See article in The Wakulla News and The Tallahassee Democrat by Sandra Vidak our Public Relations Chair