The Great Floridians 2000 program recognizes individuals who distinguished themselves through their philanthropy, public service, or personal or professional service, and who have enhanced the lives of Florida’s citizens. The Great Floridians 2000 program honors Albin Polasek.
Members of the public nominated individuals by submitting a Great Floridians 2000 application to the state. The Great Floridians 2000 Committee, a group of seven distinguished historians from throughout Florida, was responsible for periodically reviewing and approving applications.
The program began in 1998 and was completed in 2000.
The distinctive blue plaques honor the men and women in the program. Plaques are attached to buildings or structures in the cities where the designee left their mark. The plaques do not contain biographical information. Many plaques have been removed and are no longer on display.
The official biographies published as part of the Great Floridians 2000 program are shown below. The information published by the state may or may not be accurate.
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Albin Polasek
Albin Polasek was born in 879 in Frenstat, Moravia (now part of the Czech Republic) and arrived in America in 1901. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the American Academy in Rome, and was recognized with awards, prizes and scholarships. In 1916 he became the first head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago. Polasek visited friends in Winter Park and decided to purchase property. He became associated with the community’s social, educational and cultural life. Some of his best-known Winter Park sculptures include “Victory of Moral Law,” “Ascended Christ,” “Man Reaching for the Moon,” “The Nativity,” and “Emily.” More than 400 of his works are displayed in American and European collections with the largest single collection in Winter Park.
Albin Polasek died in 1965. His Great Floridian plaque is located at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Garden (Albin Polasek House), 633 Osceola Avenue, Winter Park.
Polasek is buried at Palm Cemetery in Winter Park, FL. An online memorial may be found HERE.
Brief Biographical Information courtesy Florida Memory
Portrait of Czech-American sculptor Albin Polasek. 1927 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/271874>, accessed 24 January 2025.
Born on February 14, 1879 in Frenstat, Moravia, now part of the Czech Republic. After serving as an apprentice woodcarver, at age 22 he immigrated to the U.S., following his two brothers, both priests, to Minnesota. Served nearly 30 years as head of the sculpture department for the Art Institute of Chicago before retiring to Winter Park, Florida in 1949. In 1961, Polasek married Emily Muska Kubat. The couple set up the Albin Polasek Foundation and transformed the Polasek’s home into the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens, which remains one of Florida’s most popular cultural attractions. He died on May 19, 1965. Posthumously inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Famein 2004.
I hope you have enjoyed my post on the Great Floridians 2000 Albin Polasek of Winter Park, Florida. Please see my other Great Floridians 2000 posts HERE.
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Books I Read in 2025 jumps on the recent bandwagon of sharing (bragging really) about the number of books a person has read during a year. Many of the numbers I have seen for 2024 seem highly suspect. Of course, if a reader is reading short, fluff fiction and has no job, I suppose reading 150+ books a year could be possible. Should quantity be the goal rather than quality? I think not, but for many readers it’s a chance to brag about a high (and to me pointless) number.
Be sure to follow my Books I Read in 2026 post to keep up with my reading interests. You might just find the next book for your own To Be Read pile.
Criteria
For the purposes of this exercise, I will be including books I have physically read whether an actual book or electronic, AND books I have listened to through Audible. I am not going to argue the semantics of what reading is. Reading and listening ARE different, however does it really matter in the mid of the consumer. I drive an hour and a half to two hours per day round trip to work and back. Often times it’s the only chance I have to get through certain books. I may not be reading in the traditional sense, but I feel it’s worth including these titles as long as they are unabridged. If it’s abridged, I will note that.
Please remember, books on this list are not all that I read. I read portions of (but seldom full) MA Thesis and Ph.D. Dissertations, numerous academic journal articles, dozens of mainstream magazine articles, and literally hundreds, if not thousands, of historic newspaper articles throughout the year.
Goals
I suppose an exercise such as this should include a goal. Let’s set it ridiculously high (remember, I read non-fiction almost exclusively, much of it academic in nature, and it just takes longer than reading most NYT bestselling fiction.) In addition, I am not a fast reader. I never have been. Let’s have a goal of 52 books; one per week. Realistically, let’s stick to 26; one every other week. Maybe with some effort I will surprise all of us.
Listing Methodology
I will be listing books and authors, most of which will have a link for you to learn more and purchase if you so desire. I may say something briefly about the book, especially if I really liked it. Or didn’t. If I post a separate book review, I will provide a link to that. Unless noted, these are the physical book. Books will be listed in the order read and not in alphabetical order by author or title. I may or may not own copies of these books.
And without further ado, lets kick off Books I Read in 2025!
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No matter what they say, or how the author tries his hardest to portray them, these people are about two things, money and fame. They came off very unlikable to me.
A fascinating look at the creation of the California park that launched all the Disney theme parks we know today. We meet an interesting cast of characters (see what I did there) and learn of the financial struggles, the innovations, the highs, and the lows, as Disney and his team brought Disneyland to life.
So far, the best book I have read this year. By far.
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Read as part of research for a similar book I am writing in the 100 Things series. Look for it in 2026. Keep up with everything going on in Orlando by following O’Connor’s amazing website Bungalower.
A bit difficult to follow in audio format. Keeping the names and locations straight was difficult for me. Thoroughly researched. Jackson County seems like it was a bad place in the immediate post war years.
My grandfather worked for Burdine’s for many years so there was some family interest, I suppose. If you know Mr. Bramson, this is vintage Seth. He has a very high opinion of his knowledge (which I am not refuting here) and he can be quick to toot his own horn and put down the work of others. I could do with less of that to be honest.
A bit slow to get going and dragged in places for me. A tragic story that highlights just how little weather forecasters knew, know now, and how inaccurate they are even today.
I guess I expected more. Maybe it was too home town hyped since I live near Sanford. The “headless miser legend” seemed almost an add on at the end of the book. An interesting local history story though.
A tough topic to research. This book is based mostly on a few newspaper articles and “good old days” memories. A fun look back if you lived in Jacksonville during the days of these businesses even if not overly historically useful.
Excellent book! It might be argued that while Jones started out with a positive motive, he quickly became an evil and controlling individual. This is a sad look at how easily desperate people can be duped into throwing everything away, including their lives.
While the title may be a bit overdramatic, who knew there was so much Mafia history in Florida. Well, I knew a bit, but you know what I mean. An interesting part of Florida history I might explore more on.
What a terrible and mostly preventable incident. I am not sure how much we have advanced in reigning in the political power of corporations. The latter part of the book, while having some post disaster relevance, went on too long for my taste. If it hadn’t been included, I wouldn’t have felt cheated.
Long and in depth look at John Calhoun and the politics of the early to mid 19th century. Calhoun found himself on the wrong side of history as a pro slavery South Carolinian and his long term reputation has of course suffered. The question about what to do with figures such as Calhoun in the historical narrative is an important one that is asked.
Read as background for a project I am working on. I was looking for something that didn’t go into the entire Barker story, which I don’t need. Unfortunately, this book is in need of considerable editorial help. Issues include shaky narrative, inconsistent spelling/naming/formatting, and very confusing and unexplained notes.
Written pre-COVID, Kelly works to humanize the impact of a plague that killed approximately 75 million people during the 1340s rather than providing a straight statistically based book.
A bit disjointed. This is a lot of UF students who I am not sure would have made it in the early days and locations of punk. Is the music any good? Admittedly, I did not seek it out to sample. Less Than Jake is the breakout band.
Much like her movie theaters book I read earlier this year, I accept this is a difficult subject to research. This is really a book of “good old days” stories. It is certainly not an in depth history or look at any of these restaurants. Still, there is value to these memories and for many history enthusiasts today, this is what they consider to be good history.
One of the better books in the Arcadia “theater” series I have read. This book takes more of a history based angle, rather than a “good old days” approach. This is a tough topic to write on as source material is spotty at best for most of these facilities. Newspaper articles are often all there is.
A very interesting look at the Louvre. It’s a much better book when the author isn’t trying to make broad, and somewhat irrelevant, social commentary. For me, that type of moralizing is better left for a different book with that as the main theme.
An absolute must read for every arm chair traveler. A visual feast, but don’t skip the text. This will be a strong contender for my favorite book of the year.
Interesting, but the focus was so singular as to make it almost a promotional piece of the now defunct Ivy Mountain Distillery rather than a true examination of north Georgia Moonshine. Nowadays, please see R.M. Rose Distillery.
I have tried to read and like Barbara Tuchman. I really have. I’ve tried WWI, I’ve tried the American Revolution. I have always found her difficult. These essays did nothing to change my view. If I had been trying in physical form, the book would have ended up unfinished, just like the others of hers I have tried.
Robert Indiana, James Rosenquist, Ellsworth Kelly, and more got their start and found fame, at this dead end street at the lower tip of Manhattan. This is a biography of not just artists but also time and place.
An interesting look at the famous Jacksonville based architect. I read this to try and gather insight on how biographies of architects are written. I have a project in mind for some time in the future.
My first read on the legendary Great Lakes freighter. A bit slow getting started but once the story really got to the Edmund Fitzgerald, I found this to be a very good book. Definitely recommended.
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The worlds of modern and contemporary art owe a debt of gratitude to Peggy Guggenheim. You might not learn a lot about the art itself, but the stories she tells are fascinating. It’s amazing the art that passed through her hands.
A look at the early years of what is not called modern art and the struggle artists and dealers had in finding acceptance in the United States. Includes the interesting story of the early days and hardships of the Museum of Modern Art.
This one has been in my “to be read” pile for quite a while. Unfortunately it let me down. Each chapter stands independently and there is really no continuity in the book. That’s OK, but it just seemed that the story wasn’t really there. It was a series of independent stories that didn’t really go anywhere.
Full disclosure: I was provided a complimentary review copy and received mention in the book acknowledgements. These issues aside, this is an enjoyable and important book. Architecture in Florida is often overlooked and demolished on a seeming whim. Janet Naughton works to preserve the work of important south Florida architect William Manly King, in print, if not in usage. Highly recommended.
The Final Analysis
My final total number of books read for 2025 is 44. While the last couple of months were extremely slow in results the holidays can do that to people. In addition, I started two different books through Audible that proved unfinishable. Don’t go strictly by the sample audio alone. Both provided different readers once the main book started. The samples came from Introductions. One title was completely unlistenable after getting about a third of the way through. Authors, please do not get suckered into reading your book. You are not voice actors and it shows. The second, I made it about an hour in before the sheer boredom took over. Finally, I have two Kindle titles going, one is a real slog but I’ll stick it out. The other is a work of fiction provided by the author as a review copy that I have only just begun.
The Best of 2025
I suppose I should select my favorite titles I have read this year. Four completely different titles stand out above the crowd. If you are a history reader, you won’t go wrong with any of these. In no particular order.
Reviewing this list has showed me I am really all over the place in my reading and I don’t have any true subject focus. I really thought I might be a bit more targeted in a couple of areas than what I have found. I hope in 2026 to be able to focus a bit more on a couple of key subjects including Florida history as a primary target. I also hope to focus on works that are a bit more rigorous in their scholarship. That doesn’t mean university press so much, just a move toward works with more research and backing materials.
A question I will have moving forward is where do I begin. I am going to spend some time over the next few years filling in gaps in my Florida history book collection. I know I will buy considerably more than I will be able to read. An area I have not done well in is keeping up with is new history releases. I need to make a more concerted effort to have open eyes for what is new and pick up those titles, even when not Florida related.
So there you have it. My 2025 reading round-up so to speak.
What did your 2025 reading list look like? Do you have a similar type of listing? What are the favorite books you read during 2025? Please share in the comments so others can pick up titles that might be of interest to them.
Be sure to follow my Books I Read in 2026 post to keep up with my reading interests. You might just find the next book for your own To Be Read pile.
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The University Press of Florida is releasing many interesting titles in the first six months of 2025. Nothing in the military history category this go around and some might argue it’s a bit light on Florida titles. Scholars specializing in Latin American history will find plenty of titles to select from.
A few random samplings are listed below with purchase links.
Providing the first comprehensive history of modern Cuban art during the 1940s, this book contextualizes the artistic practices, values, and contributions of the first and second generations of avant-garde artists on the island within the framework of the nation’s only democratic period.
In Welcome to Florida, award-winning investigative journalist and New York Times bestselling author Craig Pittman introduces readers to the people, creatures, places, and issues that make up the Florida of today. Through lively stories told with cutting insight and always with a joke at the ready, Pittman captures the heart of what he calls “The Most Interesting State.”
In 1908, New York-based Kalem Studios sent its first crew to Jacksonville. By 1914, fifteen major companies—including Fox and Metro Pictures—had set up shop there. Oliver Hardy, D. W. Griffith, Mary Pickford, and the Barrymores all made movies in the Florida sunshine. In total, nearly 300 films, including the first Technicolor picture ever made, were completed in Jacksonville by 1928.
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This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
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If you are wanting to learn the history of Florida Surfing you have come to the right spot. Here you will find references and links that will help you trace the origin of surfing in the Sunshine State. So, come along and learn by following my Florida Surfing History References.
This project is a work in progress. You no doubt know of other resources that should be included. Drop me a line with information and the link so that I can update this page periodically.
Nawrocki, Robert F., editor. “Surf Culture Saint Augustine.” El Escribano: The St. Augustine Journal of History. St. Augustine: St. Augustine Historical Society. 2021.
Jimmy Lane Surfing Academy-the Jimmy Lane Surfing Academy has been NewSmyrna Beach’s premier surf school, with private lessons, spring and summer camps, and group classes for all skill levels and ages for years. Learn from the best.
Ron Jon Surf Shop–with multiple locations and billboards throughout Florida, this is one of the iconic surf shops in the world.
Smyrna Surfari Club-Founded in 1979, this club provides college scholarship money with funds raised through an annual surfing tournament.
Surfing Santas is an annual Cocoa Beach event which features hundreds of surfing Santa Claus’s and thousands of spectators each Christmas Eve day. Funds raised benefit the local community. Surfing Santas has raised more than $100,000 over the years.
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St. Augustine Historical Society Blog Page. THIS LINK will take you to their blog page and I have used the term SURF as the search word. Some of these posts are definitely surfing related while some may not be. You may wish to try other terms in the search box on their page.
Surfing Florida Museum-Is an online project founded in 2008 with a mission “To preserve and exhibit the history of surfing in Florida with an emphasis on Palm Beach County.
So there you have it, a collection of Florida Surfing History References. As stated, this is a work in progress. Do you know of other sources that can make this list better? Please drop me a line and if possible a link, so that I can share with others.
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Are you searching for the best events and festivals in Florida in January 2025? Thanks for visiting. Please use the links below to find fun events for all ages.
Florida hosts some amazing events and festivals. Each month I hope to take a look at a dozen or so of these in hopes of bringing you fun, exciting, and unexpected ways to enjoy our state.
If you have an event or know of one coming up that you feel should be highlighted, please drop me a line with as much information as you can, including a website. I’ll be glad to include your suggestions in future posts. Maybe we can work together and put together a promotional post for your event.
I have listed events in date order.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
Join us at J.D. Hamel Park along the beautiful Sarasota Bayfront for a weekend of January 3rd, 4th and 5th. Enjoy live music from amazing local artists, fresh seafood and a variety of delicious food booths, games and activities for the kids, dog-friendly vibes, plus a fantastic shopping area for unique finds!
Bring your family, friends, and pups for a weekend of sun, food, and fun in one of Sarasota’s most scenic spots. The event hours: January 3rd from 4PM to 10PM, January 4th from 11AM to 10PM and January 5th from 11AM to 6PM. Address: J.D. Hamel Park, Sarasota Bayfront at 199 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota Florida
The event is free but there are charges for food and at vendor booths. Check the website for parking information.
The Florida Keys Celtic Festival features family-friendly Celtic rock and Traditional music, Irish & Scottish Dancing, Pipes and Drums, a Children’s Glen with games, face painting and fun activities, and fabulous Celtic (and Keys) foods and crafts vendors. Highland Athletics, the original Strongman sport, features a sanctioned Woman’s Highland Athletics Competition and for a little Sunday Funday, locals can sign up for our Marathon “Celtic Games” Competition. The Florida Keys Celtic Festival was recently voted a Best of Florida Regional Winner for Festivals.
Click the link and purchase your tickets ahead of time on the website.
Now in it’s 15th year, the St. Augustine Film Festival will present 40 films from 25 countries at multiple locations throughout town.
Check the website for the full listing of films and venues. Get your tickets early for this event. The all-film pass will run you $125, or splurge and pick up the all access badge which includes all films and special event parties. This costs $275.
Enjoy chocolate tastings, cooking demos, and chocolate-inspired activities and classes
Enjoy chocolate pairings, chocolate-themed drink specialty flights and tastings, and a variety of chocolate infused foods all aimed at unlocking flavors
Visit chocolate and artisanal vendors!
Listen to live music
Watch your little ones ride the Chocolate Express!
Enjoy spectacular butterflies at Wings of the Tropics, our exotic butterfly exhibit
Sit in the shade and watch your little ones run, play and explore at The Children’s Garden
Cool down in the misty cloud forest and National Orchid Garden in the only tropical rainforest in the continental U.S.
And so much more!
Click the link to buy your tickets ahead of time. General admission tickets start at around $25. Several discount options are available and there are add on options available as well.
Do you want to learn even more about chocolate? Take a drive to Orlando and visit the Chocolate Museum & Cafe. Click the link to read my review!
The 30A Songwriters Festival is the major fundraiser for the Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County (CAA), a private, non-profit 501(c)3 organization that champions the arts through leadership, advocacy, funding, programs and education. The Festival’s success is critical to the success of the CAA, and your support as a ticket-buyer, partner or volunteer helps us provide an abundance of programs, services and support to the community.
Artisans and craftspeople shall ply their trades with skill, olde world demonstrations shall enchant, and the clash of swords in stage combat shall resonate through the air. Medieval music and dance shall life thy spirtis, and a living chessboard shall unfold its strategic dance. Witness royal knighting ceremonies with the King and ueen, indulge in food court favorites, and savor the timeless delight of turkey legs.
Rain or shine. Leashed dogs are allowed. No smoking. Outside food and non-alcoholic drinks are permitted to be brought in.
The Faire is being held in Depot Park, 874 SE 4th Street.
Pirates, parades, music, food, drinks, and more. It’s a full day of fun and parties. Dress in your finest pirate apparel and join close to 300,000 pirates for a day you won’t forget.
Some events are ticketed so check the website for details. Learn more about the event sponsor, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa HERE.
The coast of southwest Florida, with its shallow waters, inlets, and mangrove islands provides the setting and backdrop for a variety of pirates, privateers, and independents. Piracy has a long and rich tradition in this area dating from before the formation of America through the infamous prohibition era. Telling the tales of Anne Bonny, Calico Jack Rackham, Civil War smugglers and prohibition rum runners, the authors provide a compelling narrative of the historically dangerous waters around Southwest Florida and beyond. Click the image to order.
Come enjoy the unique, quaint and family fun of “old Florida” during our 2025 Annual Kumquat Festival® – it’s one of a kind! You’ll have the opportunity to listen to eat delicious food, visit hundreds of arts and crafts vendor booths including our Sponsors and learn about kumquats, “the little gold gems of the citrus industry”. We are pleased to hold this event every year in downtown Historic Dade City. Enjoy the Kumquat Festival and come back and visit Dade City again!
The 2025ZORA! Outdoor Festival of the Arts is a cultural, educational, and entertainment experience like no other. From January 31 to February 2, 2025, Eatonville will come alive with vibrant performances, interactive art, and a celebration of the cultural contributions people of African ancestry have made to the United States and to the world. Through a powerful combination of music, education, and live performances, including an extraordinary Tribute to the Legends, the festival aims to inspire and connect people from all walks of life. Learn more about Zora Neale Hurston HERE. Discover Eatonville HERE.
Events range from free to ticketed. Check the website for details on the full Zora Neale Hurston festival.
One of the most important and enduring books of the twentieth century, Their Eyes Were Watching God brings to life a Southern love story with the wit and pathos found only in the writing of Zora Neale Hurston. Click the image to order your copy!
To conclude, I want to thank you for reading my listing of the best events and festivals in Florida in January 2025. Check back every month otherwise you might miss out on a great event you did not know about. If you are sponsoring or hosting an upcoming event, drop me a line so I can include it. Maybe we can work together on a blog post and social media posts to promote the event. Let’s hear your ideas.
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This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
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Thank you to Arcadia Publishing for providing a complimentary review copy of Hidden History of Civil War South Carolina. The book will be released in February, but is available now for pre-order. Please look for a review in the near future.
All of South Carolina’s history during the Civil War isn’t well known. Author D. Michael Thomas has uncovered fifty accounts of lost history pertaining to the state and its men during the war. These are stories of astounding chivalry and valor in the face of horrific tragedies, along with unprecedented events. A single South Carolinian captured nearly six hundred Union soldiers.
Lieutenant Alexander Chisolm had an extraordinary career. See the connection between South Carolina College and its Confederate generals. Learn little-known tales about naval operations from the Union and the Confederacy and witness the recovery of the state’s “Gettysburg Dead.” Join the author as he recounts these hidden stories and more.
I have had the pleasure of reading several books in the Civil War “Hidden History” series from Arcadia. Each is distinct and different in approach, content, and writing style.
First, is my personal book, Hidden History of Civil War Florida. You may order on Amazon,or signed copies are available in the shop on this website.
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Thank you for your interest in learning about the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association building and historic marker. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places and a state of Florida historic marker is located outside. The building is now owned by the city of Oak Hilland houses a small community museum. Hopefully one day I will find the museum open.
The selected photographs in this book, many appearing courtesy of local families, document the lives and times of Floridians who chose to call Oak Hill home. Click the image for more information and to order your copy.
Oak Hill
Oak Hill, Florida is a small, tight knight community located near the extreme southeast corner of Volusia County. The 2020 United States Census Bureau report showed a population of just under 2,000 residents. While still small, the town has grown significantly since the turn of the century. Residential property development will increase the population dramatically in the next few years. These new residents will potentially place a strain on limited governmental resources as new services will be required.
Early settlers in what is now the Oak Hill area included Jacob Davy Mitchell. Mitchell founded a citrus business and in the following years many similar business sprang to life. By 1887 the area contained 220 acres of citrus trees. Fishing and seafood were another popular and profitable business. With the Intracoastal Waterway on the doorstep and easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, fishermen worked hard, but were able to earn a living. The arrival of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Railway allowed for fish and fruit to be shipped but also brought need goods and materials to the small group of settlers.
The first city charter was created in 1927 but was soon abandoned in 1930. The city operated on an informal basis for more than three decades. It was in 1962 that local residents re-incorporated.
In this book, Florida historian Seth H. Bramson reveals how the Key West Extension of the Flagler-owned FEC became the greatest railroad engineering and construction feat in the United States Click the link or image for details and to order your copy.
Association Hall
Prior to the first incorporation in 1927, in 1906, local residents F. W. Hatch, H. J. Magruder, and Leonard Mosby formed the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association with goals of organizing community events and resolving any local problems. The Association purchased a lot located at what is now 146 U.S. Highway 1. Here, they constructed a Town Hall building as a meeting space. The building was constructed in a single story octagonal design. The reason this design was created and the name of the architect are lost to time according to the NRHP nomination form.
As stated, the building was originally constructed on what is now US 1. By 1915, the makeup of the town had changed and residents began to consider whether a new location for the Hall would be more suitable. Joan Howes donated a lot on Halifax Avenue. Using a team of horses and logs, the building was moved approximately two tenths of a mile to a prominent location, near the town business district. Today, the building is across Halifax Avenue from the post office and library buildings.
It was in the Association building that critical issues, such as the 1927 incorporation of the town, and the 1930 discontinuation of the town charter were discussed and approved. When the city charter was reactivated in 1962, the VIA Hall served as the home of city government until the new City Hall was constructed in 1965.
Other uses of the unusually shaped building included being used as a voting precinct, social events such as community dances, and boy and girl scout troop meetings. The building served for seven months as home to Baldwin’s Store, after the community grocery store burned to the ground in September 1935. The VIA Hall was home to the Howard Putnam Library during the years of 1943 through 1970, when the growing library moved to the new City Hall building before moving across the street from the Hall in 1974.
After many years of active community involvement, The Oak Hill Village Improvement Association experienced a membership decline in the 1990s and discontinued their operations in 2002. The building, which was in need of considerable repairs and upgrades, was deeded to the city. City leaders began to explore funding opportunities in order to bring the VIA Hall back to life. They received two crucial lifelines allowing work to proceed.
Restoration
The first came in the form of a $35,000 donation from Korean businessman and benefactor, Dr. K. T. Chung. These crucial funds would be used as partial match for a County of Volusia ECHO (environmental, cultural, historic, outdoor) grant. With nearly $150,000 from the county and the required dollar for dollar match, Oak Hill was on its way.
A park, adjacent to the Hall was dedicated in Dr. Chung’s honor on May 21, 1995. Approximately 100 persons turned out for the ceremony which featured a chorus from Burns-Oak Hill Elementary School and a solo from singer Pat Plummer. A reception in Dr. Chung’s honor was held in the Hall after the park dedication.
When the project had been completed in 2009 work accomplished included building stabilization, restoration of the interior, and adding ADA compliant restrooms and entrance ramps.
In January 2023, the Florida Department of State announced that the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association Hall had been added to the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Marker
As a part of the National Register nomination, the city applied for a State of Florida historic marker. This marker was awarded in 2023 and reads
Village Improvement Association Hall
In 1906, residents of Oak Hill complete this octagonal wooden structure. It was built on land donated by Fred W. Hatch, who saw the need for a community center. Citizens formed the Village Improvement Association (VIA) to maintain and schedule use of the building. In 1917, community leaders voted to move the building closer to the center of the growing town. A team of horses pulled the building on skids to its new location on land donated by Joan Howes. In 1927, citizens established the city’s first charter in the VIA Hall. That government did not survive the Great Depression. In 1960, citizens again met at the VIA Hall to organize a second charter. Since its construction, the building has served as a town hall, school, dancehall, and clubhouse. local fishermen used it as a place to repair their nets. In 2006, storms damaged the building. Community leaders worked with the city to obtain grant funding for the building’s restoration. With the goal of sharing the everyday history of this community, the refurbished building opened as the Oak Hill Historical Museum.
A Florida Heritage Site Sponsored by the City of Oak Hill and the Florida Department of State
F-1246
Sources
Dewees, Mary. History and Memories of Oak Hill, Florida. Oak Hill: Self Published. 1984.
Florida Department of State. Press Release: Secretary Byrd Announces the Designation of Village Improvement Association Hall in the National Register of Historic Places. January 24, 2023.
Goodrich, Marie S. “Korea, Oak Hill Find Park Common Ground.” Daytona Beach News Journal. May 23, 1995.
National Park Service. National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form. August 16, 2022.
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FULL DISCLOSURE: Dr. Clark is a friend of mine and Arcadia Publishing has published several of my own books. These relationships do not factor into this review. I purchased this book and it was not provided by the author or publisher. There may be affiliate links included in this post.
From the time a reader picks up this book, they are swept away with waves of nostalgia and memory. From pirate ships to the old west; from southern belles to bathing beauties and hunks on water skis the diversity of lost Florida attractions is shown in full color on the cover. Not enough? Flip to the back cover and find alligators, ostriches, and a wonder house. How can you not be enthused to sit down with a cup of coffee (or tea, or whatever) and read a few pages, only to find yourself half way through.
Author James C. Clark, a senior lecturer in history at the University of Central Florida, and a regular commentator on local, state, and national politics, has penned a brief, yet highly readable and enjoyable look at many attractions Florida residents may have forgotten about, or for newer transplants, have probably never heard of.
Readers are given an introduction to how Florida tourism has evolved. From the days of William Bartram and James Audubon through Henry Flagler’s railroads, to the egalitarianism of the automobile, Florida has been a magnet for tourists, some looking to save their health, some looking to get away from the northern winters, and some, looking to make a quick buck. From real estate hucksters to the tin can tourist there has been a place for everyone.
The real interest of this book however are the attractions. Clark has divided his text into several convenient chapters, including the Panhandle, Cypress Gardens, Circus World, and the Never Were Attractions. These are each short, generally half a dozen pages or so.
Then we get into the real meat of the book, Disney Attractions, Universal Attractions, and the longest chapter, and the one that will bring back the most memories for Floridians, the Vanishing Attractions.
With technology developing at such a rapid pace, and with new movies, both animated and live action, being released constantly to a new batch of demanding viewers, Disney and Universal are constantly making “upgrades” to their parks. I use quotations because for those of us who remember the parks from years ago, attractions such as Captain Eo, the Main Street Electrical Parade, the original ride at the Norway Pavilion, the Great Movie Ride, Kongfrontation, and so many more, are just distant memories, often replaced with attractions we can’t relate to. The Disney and Universal chapters will make you wistful if you were a theme park junkie.
The Vanishing Attractions chapter will bring back even more memories. Whether it be Six Gun Territory (Florida even brought in the wild west), Mystery Fun House, or Ross Allen’s Reptile Institute, Florida had an attraction for everyone. Whether you were interested in deer or ostriches, classic cars or Native Americans, you could probably find it during your drive through Florida.
Things changed with the coming of I-95 and other major roadways, but things most changed with the wider availability of affordable air travel. Visitors can easily fly directly to their destination whether that be Orlando, Miami, Tampa, or other cities with a major airport. If behind the wheel, drivers are now whisked along at 70 plus miles per hour to their destination, seldom leaving the interstate other than for gas or food. For a funny, yet highly insightful look at the family road trip, please see my review Don’t Make Me Pull Over, written by Richard Ratay.
Today, these “roadside attractions” as they are often referred to, have a hard time competing. As Clark astutely points out, Disney and Universal have done a masterful job of keeping their visitors on property. Disney has expanded to four major parks, plus multiple other diversions such as water parks, shopping, mini golf, and more. Their internal transportation systems makes it so you can park your rental car at your resort hotel and only get in it to head back to the airport. Or better yet, don’t rent a car. Instead, take shuttle buses to and from your hotel. Universal works on the same system and with plans to open a new park shortly, many visitors no longer have extra days available in their vacation itinerary to explore what else Orlando and the rest of Florida have to offer.
My only very minor criticism of the book is the shortness of each attraction description, particularly in the Vanishing Attractions chapter. This is only because I personally wanted more. The descriptions and information Dr. Clark has provided are perfectly appropriate for a book of this nature. It’s not meant to go into detail about Sunken Gardens. Rather, it is a reminder that these type attractions were around, many of them successful for years. It is for us the reader, to make the effort to seek out additional information if we choose.
Filled with dozens of interesting b/w photos, this is a book that anyone with an interest in theme park or roadside attractions history should be interested in. For the casual reader or new resident to Florida, this is a quick read and fascinating way to take a look back into an an often forgotten, but important, part of Florida history.
Recommended!
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Are you searching for the best events and festivals in Florida in November 2024? Thanks for visiting. Please use the links below to find fun events for all ages.
Florida hosts some amazing events and festivals. Each month I hope to take a look at a dozen or so of these in hopes of bringing you fun, exciting, and unexpected ways to enjoy our state.
If you have an event or know of one coming up that you feel should be highlighted, please drop me a line with as much information as you can, including a website. I’ll be glad to include your suggestions in future posts. Maybe we can work together and put together a promotional post for your event.
I have listed events in date order.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
The festival features delicious seafood, arts and crafts exhibits, seafood related events, Musical Entertainment. Some of the notable events include Oyster Eating and Oyster Shucking contest, Blue Crab Races, Photo Contest, Parade, 5k Redfish Run, The Blessing of the Fleet, History of the Festival Exhibit and Tonging For Treasure.
They make a point on their website in bold lettering that pets are not welcome and go further with a long paragraph about it. This is unneeded in my view but it’s not my event.
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The Right Whale Festival celebrates the annual return of endangered North Atlantic right whales to the warm coastal waters off northeast Florida and Georgia, where they give birth to and nurse their young.
With less than 360 remaining, this family fun event raises awareness of the threats to right whales and how we can help in their recovery. The festival highlights efforts to protect these whales from extinction, as well as ocean-themed activities and exhibits that emphasize education and environmentally responsible adventures and products.
Free Admission – Come early and spend the day! Music, kids events, a kids obstacle course, mermaids and pirates, rescue vessels, movie in the park, and more.
Witness the United States Air Foce F-16 Viper Demo Team. The Chuters Jump Team will perform precision aerial demonstrations. Aerobatic flier Patty Wagstaff will be on hand. And much, much more.
No pets. outside food or drinks. beach umbrellas or ticket refunds.
Bring your own folding chairs.
Multiple ticket options. Check online to purchase in advance.
Join the fun at the 47th Daytona Beach Greek Festival. Enjoy food, music, dancing, and vendors. Free parking and shuttle are available.
Be Greek for a day!
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Country music’s top stars arrive in Miami for a weekend like no other.
Experience unforgettable performances from the Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, and many more on Miami’s stunning waterfront. Performers subject to change. See the website to keep current on who will be attending.
Parking passes are sold on the day of the event. Credit cards accepted. Rain or shine event. See the website for a long list of prohibited items. Alcohol may not be brought into the concert grounds. It will be available for purchase to those age 21 and older. A wristband is mandatory to purchase and consume alcohol. No exceptions.
Two day general admission tickets start at $199.99 on their website. Try Ticket Networkfor great pricing on tickets to events of all kinds, including the Country Bay Music Festival.
Get hooked on the 11th Annual South Florida Seafood Festival at its new home in The Wynwood Marketplace!
Attendees can expect to indulge in some of South Florida’s most notable seafood cuisines from our local favorites. With 30+ local seafood favorites, 10+ of Miami’s finest chefs firing up our Kitchen Lab in live demonstrations, amazing cocktails that will make you reel, live tunes all day, a vendor market, sponsor activations, family fun activities, and more!
Early bird, general admission tickets start at only $12. Tickets will cost more at the door and are not guaranteed. Event is rain or shine. No refunds.
Featuring the best in surf documentary filmmaking. They show films that invigorate surf culture with surfing as a focus along with story driven narratives.
They offer quarterly film festivals along with their Surf Stories Podcast which you can access on your preferred podcast provider.
Surfing is synonymous with New Smyrna Beach. Kate Cumiskey has gathered dozens of photos showcasing the surf life in what used to be a small beach town. Click the image to order your own copy.
We showcase the best local taco restaurants & eateries and food trucks near you, get ready for TACO HEAVEN!! Enjoy tons of different TACOS, margarita bars, tequila flights, ice cold beer, live bands & DJs on stage all day long, Lucha Libre live wrestling, and so much more.
Get your tickets online. The earlier you buy, the less expensive they are. Hint, hint. Click the photo or link to visit the website.
The 34th Annual American Sand Sculpting Championship on Fort Myers Beach promises to be an extraordinary event, showcasing the incredible talents of World Class Master Sand Sculptors. With the addition of the Advanced Amateur State Championship and an Amateur contest, it offers a unique opportunity for artists of different skill levels to demonstrate their creativity.
The event is not just about the competition; it’s a celebration of art, community, and family fun. The vendor village will provide an array of shopping options, while children can engage in a variety of activities designed just for them. The inclusion of food stands, live music, and the welcoming of furry friends ensures that every family member, on two legs or four, can enjoy a day filled with excitement and entertainment.
It’s an event that encapsulates the spirit of community and the joy of artistic expression, all set against the beautiful backdrop of Fort Myers Beach.
Buy tickets in advance online.
From skirtoy is this 35 piece beach sand toy kit. This kit features plenty to keep the kids, and maybe even adults, occupied and enjoying their beach time. From elephants to bears to castles and more, this kit has it. Use it in the snow during winter. Includes a handy carry kit to keep everything ready for the next use. Highly rated on Amazon. Click the image or THIS LINK for details and to order.
The Fall Festival of the Arts in DeLand returns on November 23-24, showcasing over 150 artists along Woodland Boulevard. Enjoy free entry, live music, local cuisine, and creative activities for kids. A weekend bursting with art from paintings to pottery awaits!
Whether you want to show off your car, are looking to purchase a classic car, want to buy or sell auto parts and memorabilia, or just make contacts in the industry. The Daytona Turkey run is for you. Enjoy special night time events or maybe take in the Hops and Hoods Beer Festival featuring over 40 breweries and more than 120 beers.
Tickets are $20 per day.
Click the link for all the information you need whether you are looking to sell, buy, or browse. It’s a great Thanksgiving tradition as only Daytona Beach can offer.
To conclude, I want to thank you for reading my listing of the best events and festivals in Florida in November 2024. Check back every month otherwise you might miss out on a great event you did not know about. If you are sponsoring or hosting an upcoming event, drop me a line so I can include it. Maybe we can work together on a blog post and social media posts to promote the event. Let’s hear your ideas.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click these links and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. This commission does not affect any price that you pay. Affiliate programs or sponsors providing products do not influence my views and opinions.
Bamboo Charcuterie Board and Cheese Board Set from the Bambusi Collection. Perfect holiday, birthday, wedding, or anniversary gift. Includes knives, labels, and a wine bottle opener. Made from 100% sustainable bamboo it will last for years. 13.5 x 13.5 this board has plenty of room for cheese, crackers, fruits, nuts, veggies, and meats. Functional and stylish, this board will be a hit at your next party. Put it out and be ready to refill it. Click the image or THIS LINK for further details and to order.
Albin Polasek was born in 879 in Frenstat, Moravia (now part of the Czech Republic) and arrived in America in 1901. He attended the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the American Academy in Rome, and was recognized with awards, prizes and scholarships. In 1916 he became the first head of the Department of Sculpture at the Art Institute of Chicago. Polasek visited friends in Winter Park and decided to purchase property. He became associated with the community’s social, educational and cultural life. Some of his best-known Winter Park sculptures include “Victory of Moral Law,” “Ascended Christ,” “Man Reaching for the Moon,” “The Nativity,” and “Emily.” More than 400 of his works are displayed in American and European collections with the largest single collection in Winter Park.
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Prior to the first incorporation in 1927, in 1906, local residents F. W. Hatch, H. J. Magruder, and Leonard Mosby formed the Oak Hill Village Improvement Association with goals of organizing community events and resolving any local problems. The Association purchased a lot located at what is now 146 U.S. Highway 1. Here, they constructed a Town Hall building as a meeting space. The building was constructed in a single story octagonal design. The reason this design was created and the name of the architect are lost to time according to the NRHP nomination form.
A park, adjacent to the Hall was dedicated in Dr. Chung’s honor on May 21, 1995. Approximately 100 persons turned out for the ceremony which featured a chorus from Burns-Oak Hill Elementary School and a solo from singer Pat Plummer. A reception in Dr. Chung’s honor was held in the Hall after the park dedication.
Village Improvement Association Hall
Clark, James C.
November 16 and 17 
