A Note from the Director

Well, happy February! After a brutal (for us) January, it seems as though spring is just around the corner, although that depends on if you are a follower of Punxsutawney Phil or Woodstock Willie! While these traditions may seem silly, our traditions, folklore, and stories passed down through generations are such an important part of what we try to capture here in our mission to “preserve and share the distinct history and culture of the Beaches area.”

Thanks to Brittany Cohill, a past Associate Director of the Beaches Museum, and now the Executive Director of the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society, we have been able to grow the collection of information about Manhattan Beach. Until a few years ago, this historically Black beach that is now Hanna Park, was barely visible in our Museum much less in the greater community. Now, we have two copies of a traveling exhibit that have been displayed at Jacksonville University, the Adele Grage Center in Atlantic Beach, the Rhoda Martin Cultural Heritage Center, Hanna Park, and of course, here at the Museum. There is also a historic marker designating the location of this community, articles, speaking engagements, and much more. 

This work is important and we are so proud to have the support of our community’s time, talent, and treasure to make it happen. 

Thank you for your support of the mission of the Beaches Museum!

--
Chris Hoffman
Executive Director

Museum Member Deal of the Month: Saving American Beach

Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch written by Heidi Tyline King and illustrated by Ekua Holmes, is this month’s featured product for the Museum Member Deal!

For this month only, our members get an exclusive 15% off discount. Stop by the gift shop to pick up this beautifully-illustrated nonfiction picture book any time during the month of February.

Not a member yet? Become one today! Click the membership link below to get started or inquire at the front desk next time you visit the Museum.

MEMBERSHIP

Recovering Manhattan Beach featured in JU's Swisher Library

In honor of Black History Month, the exhibit Recovering Manhattan Beach will be on display in Jacksonville University's Carl S. Swisher library for the duration of February! Make sure to stop by and visit to learn about this historic site.

Located at what is now beach access 8 in Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park, Manhattan Beach was Florida’s first African American beach resort in the segregated South. With no visible evidence remaining of a once-vibrant coastal retreat, Recovering Manhattan Beach uses archival sources, oral histories, and a handful of the only known photographs to piece together its timeline, from the 1910s to 1940s. The exhibit places the site within the context of Jim Crow segregation while paying special attention to the founding of Manhattan Beach, the role it played in Jacksonville's Black community in the early 20th century, and the factors that led to its demise.

Last Chance to See: Currents of Faith - Belief at the Beaches

Like the currents that shape our scenic coastline, the faith traditions of the Beaches have helped give beauty, meaning, and form to the lives of generations of residents. From the ancient rites of the area’s earliest Mocama and Timucua inhabitants to today’s diverse faith traditions, religion has been a powerful part of the Beaches way of life for centuries.  

Faith communities at the Beaches play a crucial role in shaping the cultural landscape. Charitable efforts and celebrations have touched the Beaches beyond each faith community’s congregation, leaving lasting legacies of belief at the Beaches. This exhibit explores the rich and varied ways that religion intersects with Beaches life. 

On exhibit until February 16th, 2025.

Last Chance to See: Kathy Stark's WPA Poster Series

Works Progress Administration style prints of Northeast Florida's parks by Kathy Stark are on exhibit throughout the Beaches Museum lobby until the 18th of February. Come take a look while you still have the opportunity!

A Jacksonville native and resident, Kathy Stark specializes in watercolor and oil painting. Her favorite subject matter is her natural Florida surroundings, which she explores by hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, and dog-walking. Her WPA-style poster series emulates the National Parks Service posters of the 1930s and applies it to the natural parks and preserves that give Northeast Florida a sense of place, its greatest natural asset.

Reproductions in a variety of sizes and media are available for purchase by request, and a select range of prints are in stock in our gift shop.

On exhibit until February 18th, 2025.

Salt Run and the Sea: Art of Jenna Alexander

February 21, 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

In a continued celebration of local artists, Beaches Museum is proud to present the work of Jenna Alexander.

Immerse yourself in Jenna Alexander’s visions of nature in oil on canvas. Capturing the beauty of our region’s tranquility with dreamy, impressionistic vistas and compositions, her pieces begin as photos taken on contemplative treks through nature. In each piece, Alexander preserves and shares the textures and tones of these fleeting moments from her solitary hikes. From the humble oyster to the vast ocean, Salt Run and the Sea honors and evokes the serenity evident in all aspects of Northeast Florida’s great wilderness.

The community is welcome to join the artist for a first look at Salt Run and the Sea over drinks and light appetizers. Artwork will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Beaches Museum.

On exhibit until June 22, 2025.

REGISTER

February 23: Florida Chamber Music Project

Support the Beaches Museum through Birdies for Charity!

Five minutes and a $20 donation could earn you $10K! The Birdies for Charity campaign invites you to enter a contest by making a minimum donation to a local nonprofit like us and guessing the number of birdies during THE PLAYERS Championship 2025. Enter any time now through Wednesday, March 12, 2025. PLAYERS covers credit card fees so that all donations go to your selected charity.

LEARN MORE

Leave Your Mark! Buy a Brick!

Show your Beaches Museum pride, memorialize a loved one, or celebrate something special by having your message displayed on a commemorative brick to be installed inside our Train Enclosure.

Engraved on your brick could be a name, a message, a business, or something else entirely! Whatever you decide, your brick will serve as a visible reminder of your commitment to the Museum and the Beaches area.

Every brick has a story. Write yours and make your mark as a part of the Beaches Museum. History is in the making, and this is your chance to memorialize the things that matter most to you. Your brick will be a place where the past meets the future in a perfectly preserved moment as a permanent part of Beaches history.

The 4”x 8”x 2 ¼” bricks are engraved using state-of-the-art laser technology and they are all guaranteed for life. Each brick is $100, and each purchase supports the Museum in our mission to preserve and share Beaches history.

Buy-A-Brick

Support the Museum through Membership!

Membership at the Beaches Museum is a great way to show your support!

Join us in preserving, understanding, and celebrating the history of the Beaches - become a member of the Beaches Museum. Join now, and you receive all the benefits of membership, including access to historic buildings, the Beaches Museum, and rotating exhibits showcasing the colorful heritage of our Beaches communities.

You can become a member of Beaches Museum on our website. You can also donate directly to the Museum. When you choose to donate, you can select a project that most interests you, including the Chapel Preservation Fund, the Jean McCormick Founders Fund, or the Museum’s General Fund.

Join or Renew!

Beaches Museum Legacy Circle

Help ensure a future for our past by making a planned gift or a gift to our endowment! 

To learn more about remembering the Museum in your will or contributing to the future sustainability of our organization, please contact Chris at 904-241-5657 x 113 or [email protected].

Save the Date!

March 5

Chapel Concert:

Mike Younger Trio

April 5

Springing the Blooms

April 26

Fletcher All-Class Block Party 2025

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