Visit the Wakulla County Historical Society Museum and Archives

Wakulla County Historical Society Museum

Visit us Thursday, Friday, 10:00 – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 – 2:00 p.m. See all the new items in the Old Jail Gift Shop and have an expert help you with your family history while you are there.

A new Wakulla County Exhibit is open with Betty Green’s archives of historic photos from our area.

The Gerrell Room has a “Front Porch” exhibit of Wakulla County circa 1889-1940.

The McLeod Room is a “must see” full of artifacts from Wakulla County.

If you are looking for a fun day, visit us!

Call 850-926-1110 for more information.

Wakulla Homecoming: A Heritage Event “Blue Light Special”

Special! Get in touch with Murray McLaughlin for the “Blue Light Special” on concert tickets at murrmac@comcast.net

Roof On Moore House Stabilized

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In January we communicated an immediate need for emergency action to preclude further deterioration of the McLaughlin House kitchen and the Moore House as both have developed roof leaks and interior spaces were exposed to water damage. We had tarps to place over the roofs but needed help in finding volunteers to assist. The Moore House work was too dangerous to be completed by using unskilled volunteers on the roof and required a bucket lift.
In February, Bryan Randolph of Best for Less Tree Service volunteered equipment and a “Great group of guys from Wakulla Free Riders used their exceptional skills mastered in their tree service business to make placing a tarp on the entire roof of the Moore House seem routine. Plus, it is how they give back to the community through their motorcycle club,” said Murray McLaughlin. Give Bryan a call the next time you need a tree service and thank them for supporting historic preservation.

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

Lari White and Friends Wakulla Homecoming: A Heritage Event

 

Wakulla Homecoming: A Heritage Event

 

Tickets available March 1, 2015.

What Does WCHS Offer?

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

Share Your Historic Photos With The Historical Society

Hello Fellow Historians ,

Wakulla county Historical Society is developing a collection of historic photos on Pinterest. Visit our site and send us any photos to Facebook of local history or anything you might consider of value to add to our collection. Hope to see your ideas soon! Cathy Frank

Visit http://www.pinterest.com/24research/wakulla-historical-society

 

The Greens and Cornbread of Wakulla County: Historical Stories Told by the People “Best Seller”

Good News, the books are now in at the Museum. Come get yours!

THE GREENS AND CORNBREAD OF WAKULLA COUNTY: Historical Stories Told by the People

This delightful book is a collection of stories depicting the history of Wakulla County.  The stories were written and submitted by different authors and families.  The text includes a wide variety of topics and time periods.  Many of the stories contain photos that were included by the author.
The subject matter is divided into several categories that include:

• The Heritage Village Project
• Early Times
• Family Military Memories
• Modern Times
• Our People and Lifestyle
• Water Stories Around the County
• Wakulla County Landmarks

The first chapter on The Heritage Village Project describes the Historical Society’s vision of this project for the people of the county. It presents photos of homes that are actively being preserved and some history of each home is given to illustrate why it should be saved.
The reader can find tales that describe Wakulla County as families learned to live in the wilds of northwest Florida, as well as learn information about some family genealogies.  Some stories chronicle the individual life of a unique person in the history of the county.
Wakulla County’s development has always been influenced by the ocean and the many rivers, streams, and other bodies of water found there in abundance.  The water stories chapter shows how the people used these bodies of water to support their families in addition to anecdotal accounts about unique events that occurred. Of course, this section would not be complete without a few fishing tales.
The reader can also find information about some of the unique sites and landmarks in Wakulla County, including Wakulla Springs and other historical places of significance.
Overall this book is a wonderful mixture of the old, the new, and the hopes for the future of Wakulla County and the people.

Place Your Order Today! Click here for order blank…

ISBN-10:
0985706228
ISBN-13:
978-0-9857062-2-7

©”Wakulla County” Art work by Allison Green, JoAnn Palmer, and Cathy Frank

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.

Welcome Public Relations Coordinator Sandra Vidak

We want to thank Sandra Vidak for taking on the position of Public Relations Coordinator for the Wakulla County Historical Society . Sandra has been a long-time supporter of the Society.

Thanks Sandra!