Members and Friends of the Wakulla County Historical Society, Inc.

I am eager to share with you some of the events and projects the historical society has scheduled this fall.  I hope you will put them on your calendar and join us!

1.   “THREADS THROUGH TIME”, our historic costume fashion show, scheduled for September 6 has been POSTPONED.  We will forward this event to next year as part of our celebration of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.   Tickets purchased and paid model sponsorships will be refunded.  We will keep you informed of the new date for the event.

2.   Our public programs begin on September 9, from, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Wakulla County Public Library with a presentation about Florida Supreme Court Justice B.K. Roberts, a Sopchoppy native.   Our presenter is Tallahassee attorney Fred Baggett.  Programs are presented the second Tuesday of each month through May, 2026.

3.   The historical society’s ANNUAL MEETING will be held this year on Thursday, October 2 at the Shriner’s Club in Crawfordville, beginning at 5:30 p.m.  More information about dinner menu and the program will follow soon.

4.   The WCHS is hosting a showing of the recently released film, “Tate”, at the historic Sopchoppy School auditorium on 164 Yellow Jacket Avenue in Sopchoppy on Saturday evening, October 18, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.  Wakulla County native, Stacy Brown, of Humanzee Productions, has generously offered all proceeds from the event to the historical society.   Tickets are $10 and will be available on the wakullahistory.org website, beginning in September, and at the door.

5.   Christmas Open House is planned for Friday and Saturday, December 5 and 6th this year. The museum and gift shop will be open on Friday from 10 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.  We will have refreshments and live music.  Please join us!  We especially encourage those folks who work in the vicinity to drop by after work before heading home for the evening.

Andrea Carter, President

Wakulla County Historical Society

Posted 8/6/2025

May 2025 Program  - " What Ever Shall I Wear?"

The Wakulla County Historical Society invites you to attend our program on Tuesday, May 13, 6:00 PM at the Wakulla County Public Library with featured speaker Helga Torbert.  Her topic is “What Ever Shall I Wear”, a discussion of women’s clothing during the 1850s and 1860s.  What did the average woman wear during the years leading up to the War Between the States and during it?   

Helga says, “I have always been interested in history.  When I discovered Civil War reenacting 30 years ago, I had found my match.  Since at that time reenacting was mainly geared towards men, I was looking for what women could contribute to the hobby.  In 1998 I started the Ladies Soldiers’ Friend Sewing Society, which during the war years was a real group of women that provided supplies and aid to the men of Leon County.   This group has hosted the Ladies Tea at the Natural Bridge reenactment from 1998 until about two years ago.   

“I am also a member of Pallas Athena Ladies Aid Society (PALAS), which reenacts mainly in Virginia.  There we do Living Histories such as at the cabin attached to the Appomattox branch of the Museum of the Civil War.  I just attended such an event in April. 

“Nationally I am a member of the Society for Women and the Civil War and the regent for the Southeast.  We hold an annual conference which this year will be held in San Antonio, TX, at the end of July.” 

For more information call the Historical Society at 850-926-1110.

Posted 5/7/2025

****ATTENTION****

Dear members and friends of the Wakulla County Historical Society, Inc. ,

I am writing to share some exciting news with you!  Back in the fall, Stacy Brown, a Wakulla County resident, of Humanzee Productions, and his crew, filmed a period piece about Tate’s Hell on our Heritage Village property on Zion Hill Rd.  The site holds three historic buildings: the Smith Creek schoolhouse, the Laird family home and the McLaughlin homestead.   Scenes were shot in and around the schoolhouse. 

The film, “Tate”, will premiere at the IMAX theater in the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee Saturday evening, May 17 at 8:00 p.m.  For the best news of all,  proceeds from this showing are designated for the benefit of the WCHS, Inc. and its projects like Heritage Village!  We hope you will enhance this generous support of the historical society by purchasing tickets, (online at this link http://bit.ly/3YSBghj),  attending the premiere and helping us spread the word.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Andrea Carter, president

WAKULLA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC.

Posted 5/7/2025

Exciting News! 'Tate" Coming to IMAX May 17!

Dear members and friends of the Wakulla County Historical Society, Inc. ,

  I am writing to share some exciting news with you!  Back in the fall, Stacy Brown, a Wakulla County resident, of Humanzee Productions, and his crew, filmed a period piece about Tate’s Hell on our Heritage Village property on Zion Hill Rd.  The site holds three historic buildings: the Smith Creek schoolhouse, the Laird family home and the McLaughlin homestead.   Scenes were shot in and around the Laird home.  

The film, “Tate”, will premiere at the IMAX theater in the Challenger Learning Center in Tallahassee Saturday evening, May 17 at 8:00 p.m.  For the best news of all,  proceeds from this showing are designated for the benefit of the WCHS, Inc. and its projects like Heritage Village!  We hope you will enhance this generous support of the historical society by purchasing tickets, (online at this link http://bit.ly/3YSBghj),  attending the premiere and helping us spread the word.  I look forward to seeing you there!

Andrea Carter, President

WAKULLA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, INC. 

Posted 5/1/2025

YARD SALE – RAIN OR SHINE!

Sat., March 15, 8AM-noon

Wakulla County Historical Society

24 High Drive, Crawfordville 

Proceeds benefit the Historical Society

Posted 3/13/25

Historical Society Presents Program on Battle of Natural Bridge and “The Young Cadet” 

The Wakulla County Historical Society invites you to join us on Tuesday, March 11, 6:00 p.m. for a program featuring local author and historian Wayne E. Torbert.  The topic will be The Battle of Natural Bridge and his novel, “The Young Cadet.”  It will be held at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy. 

Wayne is the author of several historical novels including “The Young Cadet.”  He will have his books at the program and be available to sign them before and after his talk.   

Torbert says, “Although born in Miami, I have strong ties to the Tallahassee area, as my grandmother’s ancestors moved to Leon County in the 1850s.  As a matter of fact, I am a descendant of Pvt. Alexander Byrd, who was a member of the Wakulla Tigers in the 5th Florida Infantry Regiment.  Alexander Byrd was one of the men responsible for repairing the Plank Road that ran from Tallahassee to New Port.  His cabin was located about one mile from Natural Bridge. 

“After graduating from high school, I joined the U.S. Air Force.  I served as a clerk for the Security Police at an air base in the United Kingdom.  I married an English lady and before my time in the Air Force was up we had a baby boy. 

“I worked for a couple of years in Miami after my discharge from the Air Force, but I became fed up with big city living.  I enjoyed my visits to my grandparents’ home in Tallahassee, so I thought the town would be a good place to raise my son.  We moved to Tallahassee in 1975. 

“Reading history has always been a passion with me.  After watching Ken Burns’ “Civil War” on PBS, I decided to become a Civil War reenactor.  I joined the Leon Rifles and took part in reenacted battles from Natural Bridge to Gettysburg. 

“At a Civil War dance, I met my German wife-to-be, Helga.  We were married in 1997.  Together, we have two sons, four grandchildren, and three adorable pets. 

“In 2008, I began to research the Battle of Natural Bridge.  I decided to write an historical novel about a cadet from the West Florida Seminary, seeing the battle through his eyes.  My book was published the next year, and I have had many people tell me they enjoyed the read. 

“In 2012, I retired from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  I spend much of my time reading history, oil painting the warbirds of WWII, and watching too much television.” 

For more information, please call 850-926-1110.

Historical Society Presents Program on History of Shadeville School

The Wakulla County Historical Society invites you to join us for a presentation on the History of Shadeville School.  This program will be held on Tuesday, February 11, 6:00 p.m., at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy.

This presentation will highlight the history, operation, and legacy of Shadeville High School.  Additionally, there will be a panel of several individuals that will take about 5-7 minutes each to recount their personal experiences at Shadeville and Shadeville's impact on their lives.

  
At least one of the panelists will have begun elementary school elsewhere and transferred to Shadeville, one spent the entire twelve years at Shadeville and one began at Shadeville but graduated Wakulla High.  Panelists will, of course, take questions.

The photos above are of Shadeville High School and Andrew J. Hargrett

            For more information call the Historical Society at 850-926-1110.

******IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!******

We will reschedule the Cemetery Project meeting to Tuesday, January 28th at 4pm at the WCHS Museum due to the upcoming weather in this area. 

I have had concerns expressed to me about driving conditions on Tuesday, Jan. 21st due to the expected freezing rain expected that afternoon.  People are also expressing concern over having to spend that time protecting gardens and plants from the extended freeze.   

Please plan to attend on Jan. 28th for this exciting project.

Respectfully,

Debbie Jay

Wakulla County Historical Society

Posted 1/20/2025

Historical Society presents RIVER OBSCURA - Secrets of a Blackwater River

A Nature Film by Sammy Tedder

The Wakulla County Historical Society invites you to attend our program on Tuesday, January 14, 6:00 p.m., at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy.  Sammy Tedder will be showing his latest film:  River Obscura – Secrets of a Blackwater River.  The public is invited and there is no cost.

Dark and mysterious, blackwater rivers can be intimidating to behold. This 55 minute film explores a blackwater river in Florida’s eastern Panhandle known as the Sopchoppy. Musician, composer, cinematographer and naturalist Sammy Tedder reveals this blackwater river from a perspective mostly unseen—from underwater—and along hidden tributary creeks few have explored.

Tedder provides the narration and composed the original music for this film which is Episode One of what is to be a series about this blackwater river.

Sammy Tedder and his wife Sandy live in a remote cabin on the Sopchoppy River in the Eastern Panhandle of north Florida.

Sammy has been a professional musician for more than 50 years, producing several albums of his original instrumental compositions and has performed on numerous other artists albums including Tom T. Hall and  Rita Coolidge.

Tedder has also composed soundtrack music for several Florida nature films that have been featured on PBS.

In recent years he has produced three nature films about the Sopchoppy River and the surrounding wild places where he lives. He is the cinematographer, film editor and composer of the soundtrack music for these films and utilizes various genres of music—from Native American style flutes to jazz saxophone—to highlight his experiences in north Florida’s rapidly changing wild environments.

Sammy Tedder’s most recent film River Obscura: Secrets of a Blackwater River received the Tallahassee Film Festival’s Audience Choice Award for Best Local/Regional Film.

For more information call 850-926-1110.

Posted January 4, 2024

Historical Society Presents Program on Hyde Park Community 

The Wakulla County Historical Society will present a program on the community of Hyde Park with featured speaker Thomas Mitchell.  The program will be held Tuesday, November 12 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville.   

Mitchell will speak on the rich 250-year history of Hyde Park.  Discussion will include escaped slaves, native Creek and Seminoles, Scottish traders, reconstruction and constitutional Convention leadership, as well as more recent history of such a jewel of local history! 

Thomas is a Wakulla High School alumni and a descendant of families from Hyde Park.  He spent many professional years as a researcher, analyst, and archivist in Washington, DC, with the Office of Public Records.  He has been involved with many historically significant projects and organizations such as the North Florida African American History Corridor project, the Hyde Park Community Legacy Trail, the Seminole Freeman Foundation, the Underground Railroad Network to Freedom, Free Negro settlement, the Saltwater Underground Network to Freedom. and the 1st Seminole War 1814-1820, Florida, Apalachicola and St. Marks. 

The public is invited and there is no cost.  For more information call 850-926-1110. 

Brent Thurmond

Vice President 

Posted 11/1/2024

Dear WCHS Members and Friends,

On behalf of the Wakulla County Historical Society, I would like to invite you to attend our Annual Dinner Meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at the Shrine Club, 4141 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville, FL.  Our featured speaker will be Allen Gerrell with a presentation on the Wakulla Coastal Salt Works.  Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:00. 

The meal catered by Sonny’s BBQ will include chicken, pulled pork, baked beans, potato salad, macaroni & cheese, garlic bread and tea as well as homemade dessert. 

The cost is $20 and we are requesting prepayment.  Checks should be made payable to WCHS.  Payments can be mailed to the Historical Society at 24 High Drive, Crawfordville, FL 32327, or come by the Museum Thursday-Saturday.  Please RSVP to Arlene Vause by Sunday, October 6.  For more information call 850-926-1110 or  email ArleneVause@wakullahistory.org.      

Included on our agenda will be the election of officers and Board of Directors for the 2024-2025 year.  Following are the nominees:  Officers:  President – Andrea Carter, Vice President - Brent Thurmond, Treasurer – Debbie Jay, Secretary – Arlene Vause.  Board of Directors:  Cathy Frank, Cal Jamison, Gayla Kittendorf, Mary Ann Laird, Ryan Laird, Tanya Lynn, Rita Sparkman, Terri Gerrell, Elena Myhre, Jeff Yarbrough, Katie Lilly and Alaine Solburg.  Associate Directors:  Diane Curlee, Randy Lewis, Mark Perrin, Karen Taylor and Susan Payne Turner.

I want to say a special thank you to all of our members, contributors and volunteers.  Through your support and efforts, we are making great progress in preserving Wakulla County’s rich heritage. 

With warmest regards,

Brent Thurmond

President

IMPORTANT NOTICE!
Dear WCHS Members and Friends,

The Wakulla County Historical Society is seeking people interested in history who would be willing to serve on the Board of Directors or serve in officer positions such as president, vice president or treasurer.  Wakulla County has a rich history and we are working hard to preserve the history and make it available for all to enjoy.  It is a great place to volunteer.  If you are willing to help us continue to meet these goals, please contact Brent Thurmond or Arlene Vause by June 28, and we will be happy to answer any questions or provide more information to you. 

                Brent Thurmond – forgump60@gmail.com   850-528-8799

               Arlene Vause – arlenevause@embarqmail.com  850-591-6030

We can always use more volunteers at the Museum & Archives too, and there is something that everyone can do, no matter what your skills are.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Thank you.

 WCHS Nominating Committee

WCHS May 2024 Program on the GF&A Railroad

PLEASE NOTE THE LOCATION OF THIS MONTH'S MEETING!!!

The Wakulla County Historical Society invites you to our program on the GF&A Railroad to be held on Tuesday, May 14, 4:30 p.m. at the Sopchoppy Depot located on Rose Street in Sopchoppy.  A tour of the Sopchoppy Depot Museum will be provided by Nelson Martin followed by a presentation on the railroad by Neal Meadows, Ed.D.  

Dr. Neal Meadows, Principal, Meadows Consulting, holds an Educational Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of West Florida and has over 36 years of experience conducting project evaluations, guiding program improvement, providing professional development, and developing products in a broad scope of education and human services programs. He has worked in the private sector as an evaluation consultant for 10 years. He also is an experienced administrator in an educational service agency where he held managerial positions for over 26 years, during which he directed divisions responsible for program evaluation, strategic planning, and quality improvement.

He has many hobbies but the one in the forefront these days is model railroading. He first started in 1977 with an HO-Scale layout. He traveled to many model-railroad shows with friends and enjoyed the hobby. In 1985 Hurricane Kate blew a large oak tree on his garage and demolished it and everything in it, including all the trains, buildings, and layout. After that fiasco, he decided to change to N-Scale and move onward. After moving to Tallahassee, he joined the Big Bend Model Railroad Association in 2006. The N-Scale group has been very active building their traveling layout and now the T-Trak modules. The HO-Scale and O-Scale guys now have T-Trak modules as well.

Neal has been really interested in the history of the hobby as well as railroad history. He co-writes the club newsletter “The Lantern” each month adding articles about a variety of railroad history. He also serves as club treasurer.

The presentation will focus on the Georgia, Florida, and Alabama Railroad (GF&A) which ran from Richland, Georgia to Carrabelle, Florida. It was founded in 1895 as a logging railroad, the Georgia Pine Railway.

The northern and southern ends of the railroad have been abandoned, but the section from Cuthbert, Georgia, to Tallahassee, Florida, remains in use by various railroads.

The content will describe the tumultuous happenings between the ends of the railroad over the years.

Nelson moved to Sopchoppy in 1972.  His father was teaching at FSU in 1970 and they went exploring and fishing and discovered Sopchoppy.  Nelson graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in anthropology and an interest in history.  In Sopchoppy, the old-timers on the loafer’s bench were a wealth of stories of the roaring ‘20s and the railroad era.  Nelson says it was hard to believe that the dilapidated old building downtown had been a railroad station.  In 1993, it was about to be bulldozed and Nelson led an effort to purchase and restore it.  A federal grant paid for the purchase and restoration and it was given to the City of Sopchoppy.  And we began putting together a museum of local history focusing on the railroad history and the ways people made a living in Sopchoppy in the past.

Discover the Rich History of Wakulla County: New Exhibits Await!

By Cathy Frank, Exhibits Chairman

Welcome to an exciting journey through the early years of settlement in Wakulla County! Our museum is thrilled to announce the unveiling of captivating new exhibits that delve deep into our county's fascinating past.

Unveiling Our Treasures:

Step into the world of 1843 Wakulla County with our special feature crafted by the talented Kathy Shirah. Delve into our beginnings as we explore the Hartsfield Survey, Lost River Towns including Rockhaven, Magnolia, Newport, and Port Leon, and a historic timeline spanning from 11,000 BC to 1868.

The Hartsfield Survey:

Explore the intriguing history of the Hartsfield Survey, a unique piece of Wakulla County's landscape. Discover its significance and how it differs from the rest of the county.

Lost River Towns:

Journey back to the early 1800s and discover the tales of the Lost River Towns:

·        Rockhaven (1826-28): Despite its brief existence and sparse historical records, Rockhaven's presence on early maps leaves an intriguing mystery to explore.

·        Magnolia (1827-38): Experience the promising beginnings of Magnolia along the St. Marks River, where dreams of paradise collided with the harsh realities of competition and changing times.

·        Port Leon (1838-43): Delve into the rise and fall of Port Leon, from its establishment as the seat of Wakulla County to its tragic demise in the wake of a devastating hurricane.

·        New Port (1843-65 & 1940-48): Witness the resilience and decline of New Port, from its post-hurricane resurgence to its eventual obscurity, punctuated by a brief revival during World War II.

Exploring Indigenous Culture:

Marvel at ancient pottery dating back to AD 500-1500 from the Fort Walton cultural period, discovered in our local waters. Additionally, immerse yourself in the relics from the town of Magnolia, offering a glimpse into its storied past.

The Legacy of William Augustus Bowles (1763 – 1805):

Embark on an extraordinary journey with the William Augustus Bowles exhibit, expertly curated by Madeleine Carr. Learn about Bowles' adventurous life, from his military service during the American Revolutionary War to his bold attempts to establish a sovereign Indian nation in Florida.

Remembering the G. F. & A. Railroad:

Experience the impact of the Georgia Florida & Alabama Railroad, affectionately known as the "Gopher, Frog & Alligator," as it shaped the communities along its route. Explore the vibrant history of Hilliardville, Arran, Curtis Mills, McIntyre, and Sopchoppy, and discover the tragic tale of "Death on the G. F. & A. Railroad."

Acknowledgments:

A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated committee members and helpers, including Kathy Shirah, Bernita Mack, Mary Ann Laird, Ryan Laird, Duane Thurmond, Greg Hutchinson, and the members of the WCHS Board of Directors. Your invaluable contributions have brought these exhibits to life and enriched our community's understanding of its history.

Come and immerse yourself in the captivating stories and rich heritage of Wakulla County at our museum's new exhibits. We look forward to sharing this journey with you!

Posted April 14, 2024

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR WCHS:

On Saturday, March 23, we will be participating in the Tallahassee History Festival at Kleman Plaza.  Please stop by our booth between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  There is always lots of history to see and learn about at this festival, so hope to see many of you there.

On Tuesday, April 9 we will have our annual Show and Tell Program at the Wakulla County Public Library at 4:30 PM.

On Tuesday, May 14 at 4:30 PM, our monthly program will be on the GF&A Railroad and will be held at the Sopchoppy Depot.

WCHS March 12 Program:  The History of Florida Fisheries and Conservation Law Enforcement 

Local author J. Kent Thompson will be speaking at the Wakulla County Historical Society meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 4:30 PM at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy. This program was originally scheduled for January, but was rescheduled due to a severe weather warning. His topic will be the History of Florida Fisheries and Conservation Law Enforcement. An emphasis will be the early 1900s and the passage of fishery laws leading to the creation of agencies to enforce them.

Thompson is a graduate of Florida State University with a B.A. in History. After a 37-year career with the Florida Marine Patrol and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission he began to write about his experiences protecting the state’s natural resources.  His books focus on North Florida and its rich history.  

He has written about Florida's fishing history, the “Forgotten Coast” of North Florida, local Tallahassee history and the surrounding areas. He has a seven book fictional series called "Marine Patrol Tales" relating the experiences of a North Florida maritime law enforcement officer. He has also written a seafood cookbook that includes some of the best recipes an aspiring seafood cook could find. A barbecue pit master, he recently chronicled his journey around the South on an 11 state, 10,000-mile bucket list trip to all the old barbecue pits that still cook food low and slow over wood fires. His books are available from his publisher at Lulu.com, the Wakulla County Historical Society Museum Gift Shop, and various businesses around the coast. They are available on line from Amazon or Barnes and Nobles. Signed copies of his books will be available after his presentation.

For more information, please call 850-926-1110, or visit the Historical Society at 24 High Drive, Crawfordville, FL.

 ************************************************************

***WCHS Yard Sale March 9, 2024*** 

Interested WCHS Members who have lightly used articles of reusable value to sell, are requested to contact us regarding donation for our Wakulla Wonderful Benefit for WCHS Yard Sale March 9, 2024, 10 AM - 2 PM at 24 High Drive on the Old Jail Museum East Lawn.   All profits from the sale will benefit the historical society in maintaining the museum and archives.  Please contact us by phone at the museum 850-926-1110 or email at mailbox@wakullahistory.org if you have questions. All items will be considered an unconditional donation to the museum and will not be returned to the owner. All items should be brought to the museum on Thursday, March 7th so that we may evaluate items and prepare for this event.  We will not be able to accept furniture or heavy items.

Historical Society February 2024 Program:  History of the Florida Highway Patrol

On Tuesday, February 13, the Wakulla County Historical Society invites you to join us for a program on the History of the Florida Highway Patrol with featured speaker Barrie Glover.

The program will begin at 4:30 p.m. at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Highway.  The public is invited and there is no charge for the event.

In 1964, Barrie along with J.D. Turner, John Pigott, Chuck Deal, Hardy Revell, Cecil Nichols, Bobby Posey, James Taylor, and Benard Wilson formed the Highway Patrol Auxiliary in

Wakulla County.  Barrie served with the auxiliary for 53 years and will share this interesting history with us.

Barrie grew up in Crawfordville and went to school at Crawfordville High School.  From high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years.  After the Navy, he worked for a time and then enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four more years.  After his service in the U.S. Air Force, he returned to Wakulla County and worked for Chuck Deal at Coleman GMC.

In April 1969, Barrie and his family moved to Okinawa, Japan, where he worked for the Army with a security agency.  After five years in Okinawa, Barrie and his family returned to Crawfordville, and he went to work for the Army Corps of Engineers for about eight years.

He then took a job with the Air Force CEMIRT (Civil Engineering Maintenance Inspection and Repair Team) rebuilding diesel power plants all over the world.

In 1992, Barrie retired, and he started working on diesel engines for commercial fishing boats in his home mechanic shop.    

From 1980 until 2017, Barrie worked with the Florida American Legion Boys State as a counselor.  Fun fact:  the Florida American Legion Boys State even named one of their cities after Barrie, it’s called “Glover City”.

Barrie has been married to Betty Joyce Glover for 67 years.  They have three children, Rodney (Wanda), Angela (Jim) and Kenny (Amy).  They have five grandchildren, Brock, Landon, Kaitlin, Matthew, and Garrett, and two great grandchildren, Arliss, and Carly. 

Barrie said, “I travelled around most of the world, but I always come back to Wakulla County.”

For more information call 850-926-1110.

Posted 1/31/2024

Please see below.  This event is January 27.  I apologize for the lateness of this notice, but I just received it this morning.  Arlene

From: JUANITA GASTON <Jgaston100@comcast.net>

Date: January 20, 2024 at 9:30:42 PM EST

To: TGS Publicity <tgspublicity@gmail.com>

Subject: Fwd: Genealogy Workshop @ the Moultrie Library



FYI

     Please help us share this information.

     You are invited to participate in a virtual workshop featuring Thomas MacEntee. at the Moultrie Library. Please see the description below for more information.

     Join genealogy author and educator Thomas MacEntee on Saturday, January 27 at 10:30 at the Moultrie Library for a free virtual workshop to improve your genealogy skills.

     Most genealogists begin their research online, often becoming frustrated with the lack of results. The cause might not be a lack of records at the specific site but the way you’re performing the search! While basic search techniques work on all the major genealogy sites, you need to power up your search skills to get the most out of niche genealogy websites and uncover those hidden record sets!

     Participants will learn basic online searching for the major genealogy websites. We’ll progress to understanding specific search parameters for specific sites. Next, we’ll discuss whether it is worth the time to track searches and how to keep track of all the best ways of searching for a specific site. Finally, we’ll explore different wildcard characters and search methodologies to get the most out of a website.

     Thomas MacEntee is a professional genealogist specializing in the use of technology and social media to improve genealogical research and as a means of interacting with others in the family history community. He is a popular national speaker at RootsTech. He is also a blogger, educator, author, social media connector, and online community builder and has over 42 years of experience researching family history. Thomas somehow “fell” into the technology industry almost 40 years ago, leaving a lucrative career in information technology to pursue his love of family history and genealogy.

     For more information, call the library at 229-985-6540 or email amcnair@mccls.org. Reservations are not required but are appreciated so we can provide adequate seating and materials.

     If you use Facebook, please, share our link with your friends.

        https://www.facebook.com/events/1069750047705756/?ref=newsfeed

     You can reply to this message to reserve your spot.

     Hope to see you there!

     Thanks!

     Aileen

     --

     Aileen McNair

     **************

     Adult Services Librarian

        Moultrie-Colquitt County Library System

     204 5th St., SE

     Moultrie, GA

     229.985.6540

April 2023 Program - Old General Stores Part 3

On Tuesday, April 11, the Wakulla County Historical Society will present the third program in a series on Old General Stores.  This program will be held at 4:30 p.m. at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy, Crawfordville.  The public is invited to attend.

Stores we will feature this month will include:  Vause’s Store in Panacea presented by Jeanie Vause Crum and Eugene Vause, Mac’s Store in Medart presented by Murray McLaughlin and Alexander’s Store located halfway between Shadeville and Crawfordville presented by Calvin Pearce.  This promises to be another really good program that everyone will enjoy.

After we hear about these three stores, we will have a time for people in the audience to share a memory or two about any old general store in Wakulla County, especially those stores we have not already heard about in previous programs. 

This series on Old General Stores has been very interesting and everyone has really enjoyed remembering these times when locally-owned general stores were in every community.

Mark your calendar and make plans to attend and learn more about Wakulla County’s history.  For more information call 850-926-1110.

FPAN Cemetery Monument Restoration Program

The Wakulla County Historical Society is currently in the process of restoring Richardson Cemetery in Wakulla County.  I have been unable to find any monument companies or persons who can help restore broken headstones and/or reset fallen headstones.  Many of the headstones in Richardson Cemetery just need to be leveled before they fall and break.  This is a problem not just for Wakulla County but many other Florida counties.  

The Florida Public Archeology Network (FPAN) has contacted me regarding the possibility of developing a program to help restore cemetery monuments.  The program they are interested in developing would teach people in the community how to repair, reset and preserve cemetery monuments.  This would include instruction on what materials and tools are needed to do the restorations.

I am trying to establish how many people would be interested in participating in this type of program.  If you are interested, please respond to this email with your name and phone number so I can establish a contact list.  FPAN will notify me if a program becomes available and I will pass the information on to you. 

Debbie Jay

Wakulla County Historical Society

March 2023 Program - Old General Stores Part 2

The Wakulla County Historical Society will continue the series on Old General Stores on Tuesday, March 14, 4:30 PM, at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy.  The public is invited to attend.

Stores we will feature this month include:  Rehwinkel’s Store in Crawfordville presented by Brian Rehwinkel and Mark Hudson; N. W. Ward & Son Store in Medart presented by Janie Ward Thurmond; Pigott’s Store in Medart presented by Linda Pigott Stalvey; and Raker’s Store at Shadeville presented by Mike Begley.  

Mark your calendar and make plans to come and learn more about Wakulla County’s history and take a stroll down memory lane for all of you who remember these stores.  We all love to remember the “Good Ole’ Days.”

For more information, please call 850-926-1110.

Historical Society Presents Series of Programs on Old General Stores in Wakulla County

The Wakulla County Historical Society begins a series of programs on Old General Stores on Tuesday, February 14, 4:30 PM, at the Wakulla County Public Library, 4330 Crawfordville Hwy., Crawfordville, FL. 

Not long ago, before there were dollar stores and convenience stores and supermarkets, communities had general stores.  The general store usually had hardware, groceries, automotive and gasoline products, and pretty much anything anyone needed.  They were places where children were sent by their parents to pick things up and charge that on their account and where the men of the community would hang out and play checkers.  They were the hub of a community.  A lot of information would be shared, some of which was news, and the old-fashioned gossip.  

Stores we will feature in this first program include:  The Willis Store in Sopchoppy; the Roddenberry Store and R&L Trading Post in Sopchoppy; the Page Store at Wakulla Station; and the Raker and Linzy Stores at Ivan.  

We will feature eight more stores during our March and April programs.  If anyone in the audience has a memory or two to share about one of the stores that is not on our list of those being featured, we will have a time for sharing at the end of each meeting.  If your family had a store in Wakulla County and you would like to share its history with us in a future program, please call the Historical Society at 850-926-1110.   

Make plans now to come to our monthly meeting to hear from family members who share memories of working in the family stores of times gone by. 

Arlene Vause, Secretary 

Wakulla County Historical Society