“Happiness is Fish and Good Friends”
Autumn is upon us once again, and with it comes a slight respite from the summer’s heat. For us here in Clearwater, it means that we’ve probably indulged in something pumpkin-flavored recently, and that it’s almost time for the Fall Fish Fry! Come meet up with old friends and make some new ones, all for a good cause.
Saturday, November 4, 2017
11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ross Norton Recreation Center
1426 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue
Adults -$12
Children (12 and Under) – $6
Tickets can be purchased in advance from a Clearwater Historical Society Board member, online through PayPal, or at the door the day of the fry.
Free Plumb House Museum Tours
Clearwater Historical Society offers free guided and self-guided tours of the historic Plumb House Museum from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month, and from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. every Saturday. The museum is located at 1380 South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Clearwater. The museum is currently in a state of transition into a period house museum, but there is still plenty to see.
What’s all the Buzz?
A large beehive was recently discovered on the South Ward School grounds near Building 3. Rather than having the bees destroyed, the Clearwater Historical Society Board opted to have the hive removed intact and relocated somewhere safer.
Museum UpdatesIn downtown Clearwater, the old South Ward School is well on its way to starting a new life as the Clearwater Historical Museum and Cultural Center. Clearwater Historical Society continues to work through a two-year grant period allotted by the state, using funds to tackle the most crucial restoration needs on the school grounds. Projects undertaken over the last year include termite treatments, plumbing repairs, exterior lighting, installation of a new fire and safety alarm and a new sign out front.
Former Glory: A fresh coat of paint has Building 1 looking very like its old self, circa 1906. The rest of the school will be painted when Clearwater Historical Society can secure more funds and volunteer assistance.
Let there be light: Pictured, left, is the new sign at South Ward School, illuminated at night. It bears the recently designated official logo of the Clear-water Historical Society. If you haven’t yet, take a drive by 610 S. Ft. Harrison Ave. one evening and see it for yourself!
Clearwater Library Partnership
A portion of the Clearwater Historical Society’s extensive photograph archive, largely consisting of photos taken by the late George Fulmer, has been scanned, cataloged, and made available on Pinellas Memory through a partnership with Clearwater Public Library. The photos can be viewed online at pinellasmemory.org.
Community Corner
The Clearwater Historical Society would like to give a great big thank you to all members of the community who are helping to support our work and make the vision of Clearwater’s first historical museum a reality. There is still plenty of work left to do; if you or anyone you know are interested in volunteering or contributing services to the cause, please email us at clearwaterhistory@gmail.com.
Scout’s Honor
The historic Plumb House at 1380 S M.L.K. Jr Ave in Clearwater hosted a special ceremony on the evening of Friday, June 26. George Werner, age 17, attained the long-worked-for title of Eagle Scout in a special Eagle Scout Court of Honor presentation.
Werner completed his Eagle Scout Service Project in conjunction with the Clearwater Historical Society. For the project, Werner handmade a set of 10 large wooden display frames for showcasing archived documents. Society historians made old newspapers and photographs available to Werner and the resulting frames exhibit a wide range of Clearwater’s early history. They are now hanging at South Ward School and will be featured in exhibits when the new museum opens.
Lowe’s and Behold
Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores #1714 and #771 donated material and labor over several months to renovate the former teacher’s lounge at South Ward school as part of the “Lowe’s Heroes” project. The project provides grant money and volunteers to aid local non-profits.
Donations
Thank you to everyone who has faithfully supported the Clearwater Historical Society over the years through annual dues, volunteer time and donations of artifacts. If you still need to pay your dues for this year, wish to make a financial donation or want to include the Clearwater Historical Society in your will, please contact Buddy Gross at (727) 600-8204. Your contribution will leave a lasting legacy for future generations! You can also support Clearwater Historical Society through amazon.com purchases by selecting it as your charity of choice at smile.amazon.com.
The Clearwater Historical Society is grateful for the following generous donations:
- Financial donations from David and Susanne MacNamee and Mr. and Mrs. Steve Burroughs
- Donation of a plate from Mr. and Mrs. Love
PROPOSED SLATE OF OFFICERS 2017 – 2018
Nominations for Officers and Board of Directors 2017 – 2018
At the September 5th meeting of the Clearwater Historical Society Board, the following slate was presented for election at the annual meeting November 4, 2017. Additional nominations from the members can also be made at that meeting.
OFFICERS
Bill Wallace, President
Allison Dolan, Vice President
Lorelei Keif, Secretary
Buddy Gross, Treasurer
David Allbritton, Past President
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ryan Ballogg
Tom Bowers
Terri Carlisle
Elizabeth Jones Childress
Shirley Galatas
Lila Grant
John Maire
Sam McClelland
Paul McMullen
Chuck McPherson
Susan Raineri
Janet Randall
Jay Rhodes
Dean Robinson
John Tsacrios
Bob Valentine
Great Outdoors: An outdoor classroom on the west side of Building 1 at South Ward School was recently recreated.
Volunteer Opportunities
The Clearwater Historical Society is in need of helping hands to preserve and promote Clearwater’s history. To find out more about assisting our efforts, including becoming a docent, working cleanup and repair days at South Ward and the Plumb House, and more, please email chsmembership1906@gmail.com. We are also searching for prospective candidates for a new fundraising committee.
Stay in Touch and Be Informed:
Like and Follow CHS on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/ClearwaterHistoricalSociety/
Visit the Plumb House Museum at: 1380 South Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Clearwater
E-mail the Society at: clearwaterhistory@gmail.com
To get on our digital mailing list, please email chsmembership1906@gmail.com with your name and contact information.