September 2023 Mandarin Museum News

Mandarin Museum News

September 2023

Embrace the Mandarin Experience

Dear Friends,

On behalf of Mandarin Museum's Board of Directors, staff, and volunteers, I wish to say THANK YOU for the tremendous support we have received from the community over the last month.

On August 5th, we hosted our grand re-opening and ribbon cutting, unveiling a years-long project to expand and renovate the Museum's gallery spaces, archive, and exhibits. Attendance throughout the day reached nearly 1,000 visitors!

Since that day, we have introduced our expanded hours, Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Consistent positive feedback indicates you all are pleased to be able to visit (and bring your friends and family) on a more regular basis. We are just as pleased to welcome you all through the doors!

In addition to the Museum's expanded hours, we now offer guided tours of Walter Jones Historical Park and its historic buildings every day we're open! For just a suggested donation of $7 per person (children 2 and under are free), you can "embrace the Mandarin Experience." Tours have proved to be popular among locals as well as out-of-town guests.

September brings more excitement as we host our inaugural Summer Harvest Dinner presented by Farnham Dentistry in support of the Museum's programming and operations. We have partnered with Chef Dennis Chan of Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro to offer a multi-course dinner and wine-paring experience unique to Mandarin. We hope you'll join us! (More details included in this newsletter)

If you haven't stopped by yet to see what's new at Mandarin Museum, we look forward to seeing you soon!

----Warmest regards,

----Brittany Cohill

----Executive Director

First Saturday at the Museum

Saturday, September 2nd

Meet the Maple Leaf Divers

Saturday, September 2nd

10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Maple Leaf Shipwreck Gallery

Meet the men who dove the Maple Leaf Shipwreck! This is an informal, conversational-style event. Drop in anytime between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm to hear about their story of discovery, recovery, and preservation of artifacts from the Union steamboat Maple Leaf that was sunk by a Confederate mine off Mandarin Point in the St. Johns River.

Mandarin Frog Painting

Saturday, September 2nd

10:00 am

Museum Front Lawn

Mandarin Museum will host its monthly Mandarin Frog Painting on the Museum's front lawn. Paint your very own Mandarin Frog (or turtle or squirrel) and take it home with you same day! Registration is required. Limited spots remain. Please email info@mandarinmuseum.org to sign-up.

All Historic Buildings Open

Saturday, September 2nd

10:00 am to 2:00 pm

Walter Jones Historical Park & Mandarin Store & Post Office

All historic buildings will be open in Walter Jones Historical Park. Stroll through the park and step inside the 1898 St. Joseph's Mission Schoolhouse for African American Children, the 1875 Webb Jones Farmhouse, the 1876 Barn, and the Losco Winery.

The Historic Mandarin Store & Post Office, located at 12471 Mandarin Road, will also be open.

Museum volunteers will be inside each building for guided tours.

Admission to Mandarin Museum, Meet the Maple Leaf Divers, and the historic buildings (on the first Saturday of each month) is FREE!

Presented by

Mandarin Museum & Historical Society is thrilled to host its 2023 Summer Harvest Dinner on Tuesday, September 19th. The evening will feature a chef-curated four-course dinner with wine pairings prepared by Chef Dennis Chan of Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro. Based on Harriet Beecher Stowe's 1873 publication Palmetto Leaves, the menu highlights vegetables historically grown in Mandarin gardens.

The evening begins at 6:30 as Museum Executive Director Brittany Cohill welcomes guests with a dynamic presentation about Mandarin's most famous past resident. The fun continues as Chef Chan presents each course and wine pairing. At evening's end, guests will learn if they are the lucky winner of the event's 50/50 raffle.

Since our founding 34 years ago, Mandarin Museum & Historical Society has been devoted to preserving Mandarin's past and sharing the stories of the community's history, culture, and natural resources. Proceeds from the 2023 Summer Harvest Dinner will enable Mandarin Museum to continue this mission by supporting an array of programs that educate, entertain, and inspire.

Tickets may be purchased online or in-person at Museum Guest Services.

We anticipate this will be a sold out event!

Purchase Tickets Online Now!

Can't attend but would still like to support Mandarin Museum with a tax-deductible gift? Consider making a donation in lieu of attendance.

Make a Donation Now!

Thank you to our generous 2023 Summer Harvest Dinner Sponsors

Farnham Dentistry

Blue Bamboo Canton Bistro

Jim & Renee Waler

Save the Date

Saturday, September 30th

Mandarin Museum will host a guided tour of the historic Mandarin Cemetery. More information and registration details forthcoming by email and social media.

Lynn Brannon

by Paula Suhey

"I just happened to be in Walter Jones Park and walked up on the front porch of the Museum," said Volunteer Lynn Brannon.

"Sandy Arpen opened the door and welcomed me even though I was there when the Museum was not open."

That was the beginning for Lynn who is a Jacksonville native. Her family lived in San Marco and she went to school at both Bishop Kinney and DuPont. "When I told Sandy that my sister went to DuPont, we learned that they had been in the band together."

Lynn graduated from FSU with an English degree and began her career as a social worker but spent many years as the lodging customer service representative in the corporate office of a major reservation company.

Lynn is the mother of two and has one granddaughter.

"The thing I love most about the museum are the opportunities to meet different people," she said.

"Many years ago I met Paula's mother, Iva Huffingham, and learned that she had worked for my maternal grandfather, Dr. Field. I loved the stories she told me. I felt like I had enjoyed a visit with my grandfather."

When not volunteering at Mandarin Museum's Guest Services or as a docent, Lynn enjoys reading and activities at the YMCA.

Join our wonderful team of Mandarin Museum volunteers. Guest Services Volunteers and Docents enjoy interacting with and assisting Museum guests, building friendships with one another, and learning about and sharing Mandarin's unique history.

No experience is necessary! For more information, call (904) 268-0784 or email Volunteer Coordinator, Paula Suhey, at info@mandarinmuseum.org.

Thank you to New Smyrna Museum of History Executive Director Greg Holbrook and to all those who attended his presentation for our August Third Thursday Lecture.

Greg told the fascinating story of the Murray/Sheldon family, early 19th-century residents of both Mandarin and New Smyrna. In case you missed it, you can view a version of the presentation here.

...to Scott MacNaughton!

Scott is the lucky winner of the 12,000th Mandarin Frog. Visitors to Mandarin Museum during the month of August had the opportunity to enter the free raffle. Scott picked up his new little friend this afternoon.

Don't have a world-famous Mandarin Frog of your own yet? Stop by the Museum Shop during our regular hours to pick up a painted or unpainted Frogman original of your very own.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of Mandarin Frogs supports the Mandarin Museum and its mission to share the stories of the community's history, culture, and natural resources.

Mandarin Newsline

Read 2023 current and past issues of the Mandarin Newsline online now!

This free newspaper allows Mandarin Museum to share history, events, and programs with the public. The newspaper remains free to readers due to the robust local advertising. Please visit, shop, and eat at those businesses who support the community in this way.

Until next time...

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Thank you to our all of our community partners!

Mandarin Museum is funded in part through the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville and the City of Jacksonville.

MISSION: Mandarin Museum & Historical Society shares the stories of Mandarin's history, culture, and natural resources by providing engaging programs that educate, entertain and inspire.

VISIT. JOIN. VOLUNTEER.

Mandarin Museum & Historical Society

904-268-0784

info@mandarinmuseum.org