Dear Friends:

Happy New Year! As we ring in 2023, the Beaches Museum is planning a full schedule of interesting and engaging programs, events and exhibits! 

The best way to see the “6 Beaches” exhibit will be through the eye of the artists so don’t miss the gallery tour on January 28! While we’ll be sad to see the exhibit go at the end of the month, we are looking forward to putting the Manhattan Beach exhibit up in the Dickinson Gallery. This isn’t our first time displaying this traveling exhibit, but it will be a great lead-in to the next exhibit on the history of tourism in our area.

The theme of tourism will be seen in all of our events this spring, including Springing the Blooms and the Fletcher All-Class Block Party!

Another theme for the year will be our permanent exhibit. The “Shore Stories: Down the Boardwalk” exhibit was first installed in 2006 and it is time for a reboot! This will be our next major campaign and we’d love to hear your thoughts. If you’d like to participate in an upcoming focus group, please email Susan at [email protected] and we will get you signed up.

Thank you for all you do to support the Museum and we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming program, event or just for a visit!

Florida Chamber Music Project

January 15, 3:00 p.m.

The Florida Chamber Music Project will continue their 10^th season with a concert on Sunday, January 15 at 3:00 p.m. in the Beaches Museum Chapel.

Enjoy two beautiful pieces, Lullaby - George Gershwin and Octet in E-flat Major, Op. 20 - Felix Mendelssohn.

Come hear the rich acoustics of chamber music and visit the historic Beaches Museum Chapel. All concerts in the series will be on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. Receptions will follow each concert.

To purchase advance tickets online visit HERE.

Book Launch of "The Last Beach Boy"

by Bobby Solano and Victor DiGenti

January 24, 6:00 p.m.

Join Beaches Museum for the book launch and special presentation of "The Last Beach Boy" by Bobby Solano and Victor DiGenti on January 24 at 6:00 p.m.

Bobby Solano graduated from Fletcher High School in 1954, a year he called “one of the best in his life.” That was the year he captained the Fletcher Senators basketball team that won the state championship. After graduating, however, Bobby’s future seemed extremely limited. He was descended from generations of Minorcans, and his family lived on the threshold of poverty, searching the Beaches for mullet and turtle eggs, hunting hogs, and gopher turtles. These experiences taught him that hard work, determination, and taking swift action could do more than put food on the table. As he put the lessons of his youth to work as an adult, Bobby Solano—The Last Beach Boy—achieved success beyond his wildest dreams.

His book, "The Last Beach Boy: A True American Story of Life and Adventure" is filled with fascinating tales of youthful adventures, his ties to the Minorcan culture, and how he was able to recognize opportunity when it knocked and embraced it with open arms.

This event is free to Beaches Museum members with a suggested $5 donation for non-members. Please pre-register HERE. Visit the Beaches Museum website www.beachesmuseum.org or call 904-241-5657 for further information.

Boardwalk Talk: Jacksonville's Architectural History with

Dr. Wayne Wood

January 26, 6:30 p.m.

Join Beaches Museum for a Boardwalk Talk on Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage with Dr. Wayne Wood on January 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Dr. Wood will sign and discuss his book “Jacksonville’s Architectural Heritage: Bicentennial Edition.” Based on the widely acclaimed original 1989 book, the new volume has been completely updated to include nearly 400 new sites not included in the earlier volume. Mid-Century Modern buildings, as well as newly discovered architectural gems, culturally significant buildings, and an entire section of little-known and highly unusual sites will add an entirely new perspective. The Bicentennial Edition features over 1,000 new photographs taken specifically for this project. Wood's book is a monumental work that will give both natives and newcomers a comprehensive tour of Duval County's history and architecture. It is a compelling case for the preservation of our heritage.

Widely regarded as one of the foremost chroniclers of Jacksonville’s history and architecture, Dr. Wayne Wood has been called “the undisputed godfather of preservation in Jacksonville.” An author, historian, artist, and retired optometrist, Wayne is the founder of Riverside Avondale Preservation, the Riverside Arts Market, and Friends of Hemming Park.

This event is free to Beaches Museum members with a suggested $5 donation for non-members. Please pre-register HERE. Visit the Beaches Museum website www.beachesmuseum.org or call 904-241-5657 for further information.

"6 Beaches" Gallery Tour

January 28, 11:00 a.m.

In a continued celebration of Jacksonville based artists, Beaches Museum has partnered with artists Dustin Harewood, Hiromi Moneyhun and Jennifer Lail to present 6 Beaches, a collaborative interpretation of the history of our Beaches communities.

For a more intimate opportunity to immerse in their work, techniques and inspiration, join the artists at the Museum for a tour of their exhibit on January 28 at 11:00 a.m.

Admission for Museum members is free and a $5 donation from non-members is appreciated. Please pre-register HERE. For further information please visit www.beachesmuseum.org or call (904) 241-5657.

Become a Member!

Membership at the Beaches Museum is a perfect fit for your New Year's Resolution!

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 chose 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. You can visit our website at www.beachesmuseum.org to donate or click here:

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