Hi everyone! This is my first time using a computer, so please bear with me. I’m Reggie the Raccoon, and I’m the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library’s Ambassador. On January 6, I was invited to the St. Augustine Historical Society Annual Meeting at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, and I got to meet all kinds of wonderful people and see lots of really neat cars. I also took down some notes for everyone who couldn’t make it.
A lot has changed for the Society in the past year. Shelley Desvousges was elected as the next president. Gayle Phillips of the Lincolnville Museum and Cultural Center is a new board member. Three returning board members were approved for their second terms, Nicholas McAuliffe, the current SAHS Treasurer, Thomas Jackson of the Fort Mose Historical Society, and James “Tim” Forson, the St. Johns County School District Superintendent.
President John Versaggi made clear that going forward the SAHS will continue “Making History Accessible” by updating existing infrastructure to better serve the community. So far, all of our changes have certainly had a positive impact. Revenues throughout the 2020-2021 fiscal year are up, and rising, even as we face the continued pandemic. More support means more upgrades and investments, one of which was implemented in the past year- a new membership database, WildApricot.
WildApricot provides a wealth of benefits to our members. Now, members get access to a unique page where they can view their membership information, renew online, and access all of our databases in one place. They also get access to exclusive member-only content, scanned East Florida Gazettes and El Escribanos. New membership categories have also been added, the Heritage Business, Business Advocate, and Business Supporter. Our first three Heritage Business Members, the Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse, St. Francis Inn, and the Fountain of Youth, have already joined! Thanks to all members of these organizations for being the first!
Really worth checking out is the new benefit added onto all memberships at the Contributor level ($125) and above- NARM membership. NARM, or the North American Reciprocal Museum Association, is a network of over 1,000 museums in North America that all share membership benefits. Now, with the SAHS as a member, all Contributor or higher-level members automatically receive NARM membership benefits. Check out the Become a Member tab on our website’s home page or contact Roger Smith for more information.
Another improvement made was the addition of the St. Augustine Surf Culture Museum on the first floor of the Tovar House, which was 100% funded by community donations. The Surf Museum has not only drawn a new generation of people interested in history, but has also grown our connections with other non-profit organizations, such as SurfearNEGRA, an organization that aims to bring cultural and gender diversity to surfing. Thank you so much everyone for all of your support, and to all of the partner organizations who have been wonderful to work with!
Your support and enthusiasm, as well as Executive Director Magen Wilson’s tireless efforts, have been incredibly helpful in the past year, especially in garnering us a record $173,000 worth of grants to help maintain and improve our historic properties. The Fernandez-Llambias House was re-roofed, given fresh lime wash, and will even be given a Historic Structures Report. The Segui-Kirby Smith House, my new home, even got a new roof of its own, and will be getting a bit more fresh paint before all is done!
Going forward into 2022, the Society will be hosting many more student events, reaching out to groups from all levels and all types of local institutions. In conjunction with this, new digital programs are also going to be rolled out to make both our collections and the Oldest House more accessible to everyone. Keep your eyes on social media too, as 2022 will be a year of increasing our presence and outreach. Look out for me on Facebook and Instagram as well because they gave me a job as their new rascot (rascally mascot)! The pay is garbage because I’m a raccoon. We hope to see you around!
– Reggie