Trip Advisor Award Received by the Amelia Island Museum of History

Amelia Island Museum of History

Submitted  by

Gerry Clare

Congratulations to our own Amelia Island Museum of History for being awarded the Certificate of Excellence. Phyllis Davis, Executive Director of the museum for the past four years said that this was not an award applied for.  Instead, Trip Advisor awarded this honor when a certain number of outstanding reviews were posted.  “Trip Advisor said that only 10% of attractions get this recognition,” a mark of consistent excellence.

Certainly the museum visitors and residents must appreciate the approximately 8,000 items in the archives, of which over 4,000 are categorized on line.

Thea Seagraves and Phyllis Davis

The museum was started in 1977 and has grown to include numerous activities including lectures, exhibits, tours (ghost, historical and pub crawls), and activities combined with other civic organizations to further the area’s history awareness.

Thea Seagraves, Volunteer and Tour Director, noted that their activities would not be possible without the help of over 200 volunteers. Davis and Seagraves are shown in the photo in the wonderful museum gift shop, filled with unique special area items. However, the museum is always looking for more volunteers for special projects, so don’t be afraid to call and check into this opportunity.

 

Kids Construct

Summer children’s camps and projects are run as well, including the latest project open to the public last Friday, June 29th for “Kids Construct: Architecture for Children” (See photo). Other ongoing events help raise funding for the museum’s operation, such as the Holiday Home Tour in December, and the annual golf tournament in February. Other funding comes from occasional grants, some city and country funding through the Tourist Development Council (TDC) and state money.

Davis notes that government funds have been harder to come by as of late, but private donations are always helpful and the museum is currently in the middle of it’s First Annual Giving Campaign to raise $35,000 by the end of the summer. With approximately $20,000 raised so far, she is hopeful the goal will be reached.

She also is very excited to announce that the museum has been awarded a grant for a traveling exhibit, called “Journey Stories,” through the Smithsonian Institute and Florida Humanities Council., which will be at the museum in the summer of 2013 or later. The dates are yet to be decided.  Somewhat sooner, the museum will team up with the local “Blues Festival” to present a program on the History of the Blues.  So, stay tuned and keep up with another local gem. If you haven’t been there lately, drop in for a visit back in time.

July 3, 2012

5:14 p.m.