So is this really "Week 15"? When we were told that we had to close starting March 14, a "Frog Painting" day, we were not expecting to still be closed on July 1. And, with the number of cases continuing to rise this week, who really knows when it will be safe to reopen. We have plans to reopen before our museum expansion is complete, but they are  dependent on the rate of illness decreasing and staying that way. We must be patient.

So, we keep moving on in other ways: applying for CARE grants to help us get through these many months of almost zero income; researching and preparing new exhibits for our anticipated "Grand Reopening" after the expansion is complete; patiently awaiting the beginning of the expansion construction and touching base with our volunteers regularly.

Continue to keep up with us on www.facebook.com/mandarinmuseum for updates and history tidbits.  Enjoy the 4th of July. It's always fun to watch the fireworks and cook out with family and friends, but let's remember why we celebrate at all. This year, if you're staying in, it might be a great time to re-watch the movie musical "1776!"

"The Fourth of July - also known as Independence Day or July 4th - has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson." (History.com/topics/holidays/july-4th)

Please stay well and be patient as well.

June was a BIG month for the Maple Leaf!  

 

Hopefully, everybody got to view the National Geographic program "Drain the Oceans", Season 3, Episode 7, which included the work the film crew did here in Jacksonville. Maple Leaf was one of four ships from the Civil War era that were included in the program. It was pretty exciting to have Maple Leaf included on this very popular TV series that airs in 170 countries. It was especially interesting to see what they think the wreckage looks like now after the sonar scanning that occurred. Here is the link to the program if you missed it: CLICK HERE.

There was also a great article in the magazine, "War History Online." This article includes lots of great photographs and was very well done. CLICK HERE to read it.

And, lastly, there was some controversy that came up during the month when Mayor Lenny Curry announced that two educational and historic signs about Maple Leaf were on the list of statues and signage to be removed on city-owned property. The first is on the boardwalk at Walter Jones Park and the second is the Florida Heritage Landmark sign on the Northbank Riverwalk.

 

 

In Our Collection

While going through things in the Archive Room in preparation for expansion of the space, we came across this cute note written by Jean Morrow. Jean, a life-long resident of Mandarin, passed away in 2004 at the age of 95, so she would have been about 13 in 1923, the year she referenced. She was considered to be Mandarin's historian for many years because of her love of history and because she knew so many people and so many stories.

 

 

Look at this beautiful river and stay calm, be positive and be safe.

Thank you to photographer Rick Strickland for this beautiful image of the St. Johns at sunset.

The Mandarin Museum and the Schoolhouse are usually open on Saturdays from 9-4. All other historic buildings in Walter Jones Historical Park (11964 Mandarin Rd.) AND the Mandarin Store and PO (12471 Mandarin Rd.), are usually open from 10-2 on the first Saturday.