SEBASTIAN — The public is invited to spend the afternoon on Saturday, May 15 from 1-5 p.m. at the Sebastian Area Historical Museum for a 25th Anniversary celebration of the Sebastian Area Historical Society. The Museum is located at 1235 Main Street in the Sebastian City Hall Complex.
The program at 1:30 p.m. will include Ruth Stanbridge, Indian River County Historian; Pam Cooper, Supervisor, Geneology Department, Indian River County Library; and Harry Tanner, Sebastian historian.
Cake and refreshments will be served following the program. A cash door prize drawing will be held at 5 p.m. using a “vintage wheel.”
Visitors are welcome to view many new exhibits on display in the museum. Parking is free, and there is no museum admission fee. Handicapped access is available.
In 1984, a few area residents wanted to save the old FEC Sebastian Railroad Station from destruction. Before this could be completed part of the station was burned by vandals.
Measures were then taken to form a local historical group to protect buildings and important public and private papers and photographs. The Society received its incorporation on May 31, 1985, as the Sebastian River Area Historical Society. “River” was removed in 1993 to reflect its larger community.
Many community fundraisers were held in the first 14 years. Volunteers interviewed old-timers and gathered historical materials, published two books and tour guides, offered free historical lectures, and finally, in 1998, created a museum that, unfortunately, was severely damaged by hurricanes Frances and Jeanne in 2004.
A new museum opened in 2007 at 1235 Main St., in the newly-renovated 1927 Historic Sebastian School. It has a wide range of local historical exhibits and a reference library open by appointment.
For additional information, call (772) 581-1380, or write to the Sebastian Area Historical Society, PO Box 781348, Sebastian, FL 32978.