Weekly Updates

Celebrate Fernandina's 200th Anniversary at the Museum!

Come celebrate Fernandina’s 200^th anniversary with the Amelia Island Museum of History! We have events planned throughout the year to explore the people and history that defined the last 200 years.

Our monthly Brown Bag Lunch series will explore the island’s eight flags and beyond, taking visitors on a chronological journey through the different groups who have called Amelia Island home. On the first Wednesday of every month at noon, visitors will receive the next chapter in the island’s history, presented by our knowledgeable and entertaining docents!

Throughout the year, we will be celebrating unique aspects of Fernandina’s history through our changing exhibits. Opening on March 15^th, “Make Your Voice Heard!” will explore Fernandina’s extraordinary role in the fight for Black and female voting rights. Opening on June 21^st, “Voices of Amelia Island” will shine a spotlight on the musicians and songs that soundtrack our island’s history. Opening September 20^th, “Voices from West Nassau” will highlight Fernandina’s connection to west Nassau County, following the construction and impact of the Florida Railroad. Opening December 20^th, “5 Voices, 5 Centuries” will bring to life 5 historical figures from the past 500 years of life on Amelia Island.

We will also be holding numerous special events throughout the year, like “Songs of the Sea”, presented by the Amelia Island Opera on April 5^th and 6^th. Also returning is our popular “Graveside Chronicles”, in partnership with the Amelia Island Genealogical Society, on October 12^th! Visit our website or stop by the museum for more information about our 2024 events!

You're Invited to a Special Victorian Tea!

YOU'RE INVITED TO A VALENTINE'S TEA!

Amelia Island Museum of History Valentines Tea

Sunday, February 11 at 2:00

233 South 3rd Street

$35.00 per person

Make your reservations before Friday, February 9, 2024, 12 NOON to secure your seat for the Valentine's Tea.

Call or email Thea Seagraves 904-261-7478 x 105 or [email protected]

Murder Mystery Party

Friday, February 2 from 5:00  – 9:00 pm

Are you looking for a way to beat the post-holiday doldrums?  

Please join us for a Murder Mystery Party—an exciting evening of espionage, crime, intrigue, and murder! The setting for this evening event is a charity auction at the Casino Fatale, located on the banks of the river Seine in Paris.  

Rumor has it that the casino is connected to the mysterious underworld character ‘Mr. X’. The auction has drawn all sorts to the casino – playboys, starlets, maybe even a jewel thief….Who will you play?

Finger foods, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, will be provided for you to enjoy while you mingle with the other guests to discover what secrets they are hiding.  More details, including your character’s complete back story, will be provided as we draw closer to the event. Guests will be encouraged to dress their part to get into the spirit of the evening. 

This is a member only event with Patron level and above receiving first preference. We have room for 25 guests so be sure to secure your spot soon to help solve this brazen mystery. 

For more information or to make reservations: [email protected] or 904-261-7378 x101.

February's Brown Bag Highlights Amelia Island's French History!

Brown Bag Lunch

Wednesday, February 7th at noon

In 1562, the first expedition of French Huguenots landed on the shores of Amelia Island - known to them as the Isle de Mai. This arrival began a short-lived but unique chapter in the region’s history, marked by religious conflict, devastating hurricanes, and the raising of Amelia Island’s first of eight flags. February’s Brown Bag Lunch will be presented by Margaret Newton and will be the second event in our year-long speaker series celebrating Fernandina’s 200^th anniversary. Join us on February 7^th to learn more about this fascinating history!

Attendance is free and open to the public and attendants may bring their lunch. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. This program is wheelchair accessible.

Watch this program remotely at https://www.twitch.tv/ameliaislandmuseumhistory

For more information contact Jarrett at 904-261-7378 x.102 or [email protected]

Hear from a Descendant of Anna Kingsley!

Special Guest Lecture

Thursday, February 15th, at 6pm

Join historian, storyteller, and seventh-generation descendant of Anna Kingsley, Peri Frances, for her presentation, “Madjiguene, MaVynee, and Magic: A Descendant’s Journey and Matrilineal View of Northeast Florida History”! Mrs. Frances will take us on a journey through her family’s history and tell the story of northeast Florida through the eyes of the women that are often left out of its telling. Join us on the evening of February 15^th to learn more about this unique history!

Attendance is free and open to the public. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. This program is wheelchair accessible.

Watch this program remotely at https://www.twitch.tv/ameliaislandmuseumhistory

For more information contact Jarrett at 904-261-7378 x.102 or [email protected]

February's 3rd on 3rd Presents the Future of Evan's Rendezvous!

3rd on 3rd Lecture

Friday, February 16th, at 6pm

Once known as the “heartbeat of American Beach”, Evan’s Rendezvous was a popular oceanfront restaurant and entertainment venue that drew Black visitors to American Beach for nearly 40 years. Join us at the Amelia Island Museum of History to hear from Adrienne Burke and Ennis Davis, who are working with American Beach residents on restoration and revitalization plans for Evan’s Rendezvous! Following the talk will be a short Q&A. This is a great opportunity to hear about local preservation efforts and the future of one of our island’s historic landmarks, so join us on the evening of February 16^th to learn more!

Attendance is free for members and a suggested donation of $5 for nonmembers. Seating is limited on a first come, first served basis. This program is wheelchair accessible. 

Watch this program remotely at https://www.twitch.tv/ameliaislandmuseumhistory

For more information contact Jarrett at 904-261-7378 x.102 or [email protected]

Learn About Shrimping History and Support the Museum!

For more information or to book a tour, click here!

Veteran's History at the Museum

VETERANS! WE NEED YOU FOR THE VETERANS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT

The Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress collects, preserves and makes accessible the firsthand recollections of U.S. military veterans. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jarrett Hill at [email protected] or 2617378, x. 102.

Pub Crawl

A wealth of historical information about downtown Fernandina and a good time for all!

Make a reservation to tour a few of our small town’s most popular, notorious or otherwise historic pubs and bars. This 2.5 hour tour covers about eight blocks of our historic district with stops at three to four of Fernandina’s historic pubs to enjoy a specialty drink and tales of years gone by. Along the journey your tour guide will regale you with colorful tales about the town and the people who lived there. It’s history with a kick!

This tour is held at 5 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month. 

A minimum of 4 people is required to run the tour, with a maximum of 8 people per group. Must be 21 years of age or older. ID is required. The cost is $40 per person.

To reserve your spot, contact Thea Seagraves at [email protected] or call 904-261-7378 x 105.

Membership Corner

Annual Membership Drive

It’s time to renew memberships for 2024. Thank you to all of our current members for your support in 2023!  Money received from members through dues plays a big part in offsetting our operational expenses and allows us to offer a diverse calendar of exhibits and programming to our community.  If you are a member, please consider renewing your membership for the coming year.  If you are not a current member we’d love to have you back.  Memberships can be renewed by mail or online by navigating to our Membership Page (https://ameliamuseum.org/membership/). We look forward to seeing you around the museum!

Come See Our Newest Temporary Exhibit!

Focus your attention - or your camera lens - on the museum’s newest temporary exhibit! Steve Leimberg: The Bird Man of Amelia explores the artwork and community contributions of legendary local photographer Stephen Leimberg, whose photographs have become defining images of life on Amelia Island. This exhibit will be on display from December 15, 2023 until March 6, 2024!