BY CLIFF SMELLEY
The Eugene L. Matthews Bradford County Historical Museum added to its collection, thanks to a donation of artifacts by Rayonier Historian and Senior Information Technology Manager Scott Golding on Jan. 31.
“That’s wonderful,” said Chuck Kramer, a museum docent. “He’s our new best friend.”
Golding presented items that were found on a tract southeast of Starke. One was a piece of salt-glazed pottery believed to date back to the latter half of the 19th century, while two items were pieces of Native American pottery believed to be 500-1,000 years old.
Also included in the donation was a railroad spike that has been attributed to the rail line that carried supplies to Camp Blanding as it was being built, from 1939 through 1941.
“These artifacts connect us to the past and enrich our understanding of this region’s history,” Golding said. “Rayonier is proud to support the Matthews Historical Museum in preserving and sharing these treasures with the community.”
Golding said Rayonier has discovered another batch of artifacts that he’d be happy to donate as well — fragments of items that appear to be from a turpentine camp.
Kramer accepted the items from Golding, with Museum Co-Chairs Jim and Arlette Love, Rayonier Public Relations Manager Jane Wilder and Santa Fe College Vice President for Advancement and Chief Philanthropy Officer Sherry Houston in attendance.
Santa Fe College allows the museum to occupy a portion of the second floor of its Cultural Building at 201 E. Call St. in Starke.
“We always thank Santa Fe College,” Kramer said. “They’ve been wonderful to us. We’ve been here since the ‘90s. No rent. They give us the heat, the air-conditioning. They come and vacuum. We like it.”
Prior to the donation of the artifacts, Kramer gave Golding, Houston and Wilder a tour of the museum. Besides the items on display, the museum features panels that display historical text and photos.
Though the room the museum occupies isn’t large, Kramer said, “We’re so proud of it.”
“Even though it’s a small space, we have so much history (here),” Kramer said.
The museum is named after a former owner/publisher of the Bradford County Telegraph. Matthews, who succeeded his father, Eugene S. Matthews, as the head of the newspaper was known for chronicling Bradford County’s history. It was said he never threw anything away, believing that everything would have some historical value. Kramer said people would joke with Matthews, asking, “Why don’t you open up a museum?”
A centerpiece of the museum is Matthews’ Telegraph office, which was disassembled, walked down the street and reassembled based on photographs.
Kramer said he was happy that Matthews, who passed away Dec. 11, 200, was able to see the museum become a reality. Matthews was there at the museum’s opening on March 1, 1997.
“You could see his face beaming,” Kramer said.
If you’ve never visited the museum — or would like to again — it’s open (dependent upon docent availability) the second and third Tuesdays of each month and the third Wednesday of each month from 3 p.m. until 5 p.m.
Ronney Harris, a former docent who now lives out of state, was quoted in a June 30, 2022, Telegraph-Times-Monitor story as saying, “I wish everybody in Bradford County knew about it and would take the time to visit.”
Kramer said the museum could always use more volunteers to serve as docents. Docents greet visitors and ask them if they’d like a guided tour as well as answering any questions visitors have. Docents have a notebook at their disposal that includes the answers to common questions as well as detailed information on each museum display.
“It’s the easiest job you’ll ever have,” Kramer said.
If you’re interested in being a docent or would like to find out more information about the museum, please call Kramer at 904-364-6977.
