Fall is here along with a wealth of history events and sponsor opportunities

At the Jacksonville Historical Society, we always know when fall arrives. Of course, our buildings are literally surrounded by football games and parking. And for the past 16 years we’ve staffed the water tables at the popular October Pumpkin Run at Evergreen Cemetery. The 5K and 10K run through the historic property continues to grow. It’s an interesting way to promote history and gets us all in the mood for our active fall and winter schedule.

Clearly, the society’s BIG end of the year event is the Gingerbread Extravaganza. The event at our headquarters, Old St. Andrew’s, showcases history and “the most creative art in town” from December 2 through December 23, everyday, except Sunday. The Extravaganza serves as the society’s only major fundraiser. Without the Extravaganza, we’d have great difficulty paying the bills. Please consider sponsoring the event at some level. We ask you to attend the Extravaganza and talk up the event among your friends and family. The event offers exciting additions this year that you’ll read about in the November newsletter.

Another opportunity is the Friday evening December 4 open house at Avonlea Antique Mall. Mall owners have once again selected the Jacksonville Historical Society as recipient of proceeds for their tombola game. For the game, all types of bottles, bottled products, vases, decanters and jars are featured. We’re collecting your vintage and gently used glass jars and bottled objects for use as prizes in this obscure English game. The JHS get the proceeds. Please bring your donations (several hundred are needed so don’t hold back) to the November program or give us a call and we’ll try to “pick-up.”

We haven’t forgotten the popular speaker series. On November 17, Stephen Dare presents “The Ten Most Amazing Jacksonville People You’ve Likely Never Heard of.” I hope to see you there.

History, Mystery & Beer

DON'T MISS the next spectacular and fun historical pop-up event Tuesday, November 3 at 6pm -8pm! Stay tuned to the Facebook page for the location announcement on (5 minutes from Downtown Jacksonville) October 31st!

Several times a year, the Jacksonville Historical Society stages a “pop-up history” event. These events combine the element of mystery, surprise, beer drinking, and social media to educate the public about important but relatively unknown facets of Jacksonville’s history. Although the time and date of each of these pop-up events are announced ahead of time and people are urged to sign up for it, the location is kept secret until a few days before the event takes place. Please visit the Jax Pop-up History Facebook Page for more information.

Admission is free, but a donation of $5 to the Jacksonville Historical Society is suggested at the door.

This event is a joint production of the Jacksonville Historical Society and PB&J (Party, Benefit & Jam).

October Pumpkin Run Volunteers were a terrific “team” and more volunteers are needed in December

For 16 years, Jacksonville Historical Society volunteers have staffed the ever growing October Pumpkin Run at Evergreen Cemetery. It requires a “wake up call” typically around 5 a.m. to set up and staff the water tables for the 8 a.m. run through historic Evergreen. 2,000 plus runners participated this year.

The JHS volunteer team who pulled off this early morning duty on October 25 included Emmet, Julie and Emma Ruth Ferguson; Joann Purdie; Fran Root; Reecy Thorton; Bob Hennigar; Beth Hohl Asbury; Richard, Jean, Sophie and Nick Grimsley; Maggie Means; Harry Reagan; Lisa Sheppard; and Emily and Larry Lisska.

“It’s the first year since the race began in 2000...[Read more]

October 12, 1565: After they were shipwrecked by a storm, Jean Ribault and most of his men were executed on orders given by Pedro Menendez. The Spanish then began 198 years of uninterrupted Florida ownership.