For 35 years, Melbourne Beach town historian Frank Thomas has guided fascinated, history-loving groups of people along on his annual New Year’s Day historic walk of old Melbourne Beach. And even at 82 years old, as walking has become a bit more challenging, he still plans to lead the walk again to welcome in 2019.
Earlier this year, Thomas decided to hand the official reins of town historian over to longtime local history buff Bruce Morgan, who will also help guide the tour. But Thomas said he plans to remain active as “Town Historian Emeritus.”
“I doubt if this New Year’s Day walking history tour will be his last, but he will likely conduct the rest of them from the seat of his recumbent 3-wheel bicycle,” Morgan said.
On New Year’s Day, Thomas will narrate the local history as he leads the group past century-old homes along Ocean Avenue to explore “old” Melbourne Beach. Along the way, people will have the chance to see the oldest house on Brevard’s barrier island, the Ryckman House, built in 1889, and the Melbourne Beach Community Chapel, built in 1892.
Morgan said the title of town historian was originally bestowed on Thomas when he retired after “decades” of working as a teacher at Eau Gallie High School, but remained a “paramount educator” in the community.
“It is largely because of him that our town’s unique history has remained alive,” Morgan said.
“In the last century Frank met and interviewed a few of the surviving town founders, and since then he has written several books about the history of Melbourne Beach.”
Thomas first began offering his walking history tour of Melbourne Beach in 1983, when the town was celebrating the 100th anniversary of its founding.
“It became an event thanks to Frank’s personal commitment to uncovering the town’s history, and to his dedicated volunteer efforts on behalf of the town and its residents,” Morgan said.
Morgan began participating in the tour shortly after his retirement several years ago.
“At that time Frank invited me to join the town’s History Board, and I welcomed the opportunity,” Morgan said. “I believe it is important to commemorate our history, because in our modern age it is difficult to imagine what our pioneers endured to establish the communities we live in and so enjoy today.”
Morgan said he and Thomas have known each for 50 years.
“I am privileged to have been both his pupil and his peer,” Morgan said. “I was his student for a day when I was visiting Eau Gallie High School in the early 70’s, and 15 years later we both taught together when I, too, became an English teacher.”
Morgan has lived in South Brevard since 1963, and in Melbourne Beach since 1969.
“So, Frank Thomas is now Town Historian Emeritus, and his are big shoes to fill,” Morgan said. “While I am not big enough to fill them, I am honored to walk in your footsteps, Frank, and I do not plan on doing anything much differently from what you have taught me.”
The walk is open to everyone and is free of charge. It begins at 10 a.m. on January 1, 2019 at the west end of Ocean Avenue at the pier in Melbourne Beach. The tour lasts about an hour.
For more information call 321-727-3050.
