CLAY COUNTY, Fla. – The Clay County Historical Society was founded in 1966 by local residents dedicated to preserving Clay County history.
This year, it turns 60!
The society collects, preserves and promotes the history of Clay County. Collections are donated, loaned or purchased and held in trust for public use and education.
The current museum opened in 1975 inside the 1890 Courthouse Annex. It contains exhibits depicting everyday life in Clay County over the past century, including a Country Store, an early kitchen, a bank vault and a real printing press.
At the museum, staff refer to three eras of Clay County history: the Early Years, the Hotel Era and the Military Era.
The Railroad Collection, added in 1992, was assembled by Bud Hess during his lifetime, purchased from his widow, and brought across the river to Green Cove Springs.
The Railroad Collection includes a caboose, a train station originally from Elkton, Florida, a crossing gate and signals, lanterns and hundreds of other items.
“Well, I’ll tell you what, we have six rooms here in the museum. We have the train station, which is a transfer station, and I’ll even take you in the jail,” said Pat Garlinghouse with the museum.
News4JAX spoke with museum officials who highlighted the importance of not only all the rooms and displays but also what it means to the community.
“It’s our collective heritage, so to speak, not only of Green Cove Springs, but the county in general and so forth. And it’s just very important to maintain all this and make sure it’s still open for the public to see and come and enjoy,” Garlinghouse said.
The 60th Anniversary Railroad Festival will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on May 9 at the Historic Triangle at 915 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs, Florida 32043.
The free, public event, presented by the Clerk of Court’s Historic Archives Division and the Clay County Historical Society, will feature guided and museum tours, living history reenactors, the Bob Hess Train Collection, local artisans and craft vendors, food trucks and family activities including youth games and hands-on stations.
“It’s the first time in more than 15 years that we’ve had a railroad festival,” Garlinghouse said.