Amelia Island Museum of History
By Phyllis Davis
Executive Director
November 10, 2020
The Board of the Amelia Island Museum of History is pleased to announce the completion of its 2018 Capital Campaign.
The $400,000 Capital Campaign was created with the goal to completely renovate and update its existing exhibit spaces.
The stories of our amazing history will still be told, docents will still roam the halls, and all that is special about our little Museum will be preserved and protected.
The intent of this “re-imagining” is to create new exhibits that are ‘layered’ for different ages and learning styles, and improve the flow in the process. This will be accomplished with the addition of interactive technology, short videos visitors can watch, and interactive kiosks and panels that allow visitors to explore every era of our complex history.
The campaign was kicked off with a matching grant from the Delores Barr Weaver Fund through the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Following that were many generous donors including Crane Island who named the Museum as their charity of choice for the Southern Living Idea House on Crane Island. These funds brought the Capital Campaign to 75% of our goal.
We are now proud to announce the campaign was completed with the commitment of $100,000 by the Nassau County Board of Commissioners by a unanimous vote at their meeting on September 14, 2020.
The opening date for the new exhibits will be released as completion nears and is projected to occur in February of 2021.
“I am excited to help jumpstart the Museum’s plan to tell Amelia Island’s remarkable story in a more compelling and accessible way,” noted Delores Barr Weaver. “I invite all those who appreciate the Island’s rich history to join me in supporting the Museum as it pays tribute to not only the many flags, but the many cultures—including African-Americans and Hispanics—that have played a significant role in the region.”
About the Delores Barr Weaver Fund
Delores Barr Weaver established this fund at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida in 2012 to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that do work she has supported over many years and to encourage others to do so as well. Mrs. Weaver has an extraordinary legacy of philanthropy, and she has provided transformative support to dozens of nonprofit organizations that uplift, enlighten and advance our community. Her establishment of the Delores Barr Weaver Fund ($50 million) in 2012 was the largest gift in The Community Foundation’s history.
About The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, Florida’s oldest and largest community foundation, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 54th year, the Foundation has assets of more than $385 million and has made nearly $450 million in grants since 1964. For more information: www.jaxcf.org.
About Crane Island
Crane Island is a highly anticipated, master planned community, envisioned by two longtime friends and business executives, Mr. Saad Wallan and Mr. Jack B. Healan Jr. Mr. Saad Wallan, an esteemed and honored international businessman, brings an extensive amount of experience from his many years in the automotive, aviation, and real estate industries. Mr. Jack B. Healan Jr., the former President of the Amelia Island Company, is highly regarded for his extensive involvement in the development of Amelia Island Plantation, Marsh Lakes, and Brady Point Preserve from 1978 to 2010.
Mr. Wallan and Mr. Healan’s friendship evolved through their common interest in aviation, more than 25 years ago. Mr. Wallan and Mr. Healan formed a partnership in 2012 to pursue real estate opportunities in the Southeast United States. They recognized Crane Island as the final, exceptional waterfront property remaining on Amelia Island and in turn, purchased the property in 2014.
About the Nassau County Board of Commissioners
Nassau County is a political subdivision of the State of Florida. It was created for civil and political purposes and acts under powers given to it by the State. The County’s governing authority is the Nassau County Board of Commissioners.
About the Amelia Island Museum of History
For over 40 years the Amelia Island Museum of History (AIMH) has been dedicated to the life and culture in Nassau County through education and preservation of its local Page 3 Amelia Island Museum of History Capital Campaign history. This reinforces its Mission Statement, which is to “preserve, protect, and promote the unique history of Amelia Island and its surrounding area for a diverse community of residents, researchers, and visitors.” This is done through numerous programs:
- 13 weekly docent-led tours of the Museum
- 5 different walking or ‘step-on’ (for buses) tours for visitors to engage them outside the Museum building
- In-house student tours, led by docents, provided at no cost for all Nassau County public school students.
- Summer camp programs for both younger and older children, which immerse them in hands-on understanding of history (Scholarships are provided for students in need)
- Additional summer camp for America’s Youth, provided at no cost to the children or to America’s Youth
- Recording of quickly disappearing oral histories through our ‘Veterans History Project’ and ‘Heritage Keepers Project’
- Monthly Brown Bag lunches and “Third Friday on Third Street” lectures with invited speakers
- Pub Crawls and Ghost Tours for residents and visitors who like a ‘kick’ with their history
For more information about this campaign or the new exhibits call or email Phyllis Davis, 904-261-7378, ext. 101 or [email protected].