SEBASTIAN — A visit to the Sebastian Area Historical Museum provides guests with the opportunity to learn and explore the vast history and culture of Sebastian, Roseland and the surrounding area, but the museum could not exist without its volunteers.
Sebastian’s Phil Bova, who maintains the membership rolls for the group, believes the museum tours provide great learning opportunities.
“It’s really like one-stop shopping for anyone interested in local history,” Bova said. “When the local schools bring their classes for tours, the kids get to see pictures and artifacts of many of the same things they learn about in their Florida history textbooks.”
“Between the large picture displays, books and lecture series, people have the opportunity to learn anything and everything about Sebastian, Roseland and the surrounding area,” said Bova. “People are usually quite surprised to learn how a small town like Sebastian was such a big part of the citrus and fishing operations, which were the heart of the local economy for many years.”
Ellen Stanley, a Sebastian resident since 2003, and the current secretary of the historical society, believes the museum has something to offer everyone.
“The part I like the most is the collection of photographs that really show a very clear picture of what Sebastian was like all the way back to the 1800s when we had steamboats on the river,” she said.
The museum features displays showcasing many areas of local history including the farming and fishing industries which were the mainstays of the early economy.
Located in the historic Sebastian Elementary School at 1235 Main Street, the museum is supported and maintained by the Sebastian Historical Society, Inc., a non-profit organization of community volunteers founded in 1985. All of the items on display have been donated or loaned to the museum.
The museum consists of six rooms, each showcasing different areas of the city’s historic past.
The main room features displays of archaeology, Native American relics, the history of Pelican Island, the nation’s first National Wildlife Refuge, as well as photographs, maps, and pioneer fashion items.
The room also contains a large display case containing ceramic jars, porcelain, and reproductions of silver coins recovered from Spanish shipwrecks off the Florida coast.
The display case and shipwreck artifacts were donated by Mel Fisher’s Treasures in Sebastian.
The family room features handmade quilts, tablecloths, clothing, kitchen utensils and many other items from the typical pioneer household.
The farming, fishing and military room is filled with tributes to local veterans and tools from the farming and fishing industries.
Another room titled boats, cars, trains and planes highlights pioneer modes of travel including steamboats on the Indian River, and the railway that was used to transport citrus and seafood to New York, and other cities throughout the eastern United States.
The gift shop features an eclectic mix of more current items along with books postcards and gifts for sale.
Books for sale include a series of three storybooks titled “Tales of Sebastian,” “More Tales of Sebastian,” and “Even More Tales of Sebastian.”
Another book, “A Guide to Historic Sebastian & Roseland,” features photographs and stories of early Sebastian including fish houses, churches, and other historic landmarks. Proceeds from the books and gifts help the museum cover expenses.
George “Bud” O’Neill, president of the society and curator of the museum, had always been interested in history when he joined the group in 2003.
“Our main goal is to preserve and document the history of the area for present and future generations. We have over 100 members of our historical society with a volunteer staff of five that alternate shifts at the museum. While we are very grateful for all of the supporters that make our museum and other events possible, we are always in need of more volunteers.”
“Along with the museum, we offer presentations five times each year at the North County Library,” said O’Neill. “At each session, local speakers present programs pertaining to out dynamic heritage.”
On March 19, “Sebastian Inlet Fishing through the Seasons” will be presented.
The museum is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., and Saturdays from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m.
During the winter season, November through March, the museum adds an extra day, opening on Fridays 11 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The museum will also open for any group tour.
Admission is free and memberships are available with the Historical Society starting at $15 per year.
For more information, call 772-581-1350.
