Page 2 - Hobe Sound Reflections - February '21
P. 2
Page 2, Hobe Sound
Club News
Finding Ancestors Carved executive and 30-year Florida resident, he divides his time driving them on the track,
In Stone With The Martin between Port St. Lucie and Kalamazoo, Mich. which evolved into a
teaching job and teaching
Due to the ongoing pandemic, MCGS will continue
County Genealogical Society meeting via webinar until further notice. Future monthly high performance driving
topics, presented by local and national experts, include at different race tracks. He
If tombstones could analyzing period photos, family tree surprises and has taught at professional
talk, what would they tell archival research. driving schools, qualified
us? Plenty, according to In addition to its free monthly webinars, MCGS offers by Motorsports Safety
local genealogist Gary a variety of services at the Genealogy Room in the Blake Foundation, level 1. He
Swain, the Martin County Library in Stuart including an extensive research library teaches at all of the tracks in
Genealogical Society’s and access to several genealogy websites. Adherence Florida; National Corvette
(MCGS) February webinar to the library’s COVID-19 protocols is required for Museum Track in Bowling
speaker. Presenting “Carved those who wish to use the Genealogy Room. For more Green, Kentucky; Virginia
in Stone: Genealogy in information about MCGS membership, activities and International Raceway;
the Cemetery,” Swain will services go to mcgsfl.org or call MCGS President Lisa Barbar Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama; and
discuss tombstones as a Tompson, (772) 888-2422. Roebling Rode in Georgia.
source of information about “I’ve always had an interest in cars … actually raced
our ancestors including Historical Society Welcomes motorcycles when I was younger, but I moved away
how the types and styles of Presenter, Gary Swain, a from that and started doing the tracks with cars, which is
gravestones, the symbols on resident of Port St. Lucie New Car Curator significantly safer,” said Ferrare.
them and the materials from His personal car collection features a 1966 Corvette
which they are made can tell a story. The Historical Society of Martin County is welcoming Coupe, a 2018 McLaren, a 2020 McLaren 600LT Spider,
“Gravestones serve as a direct link to our ancestors,” Jim Ferrare as the new car curator of the Elliott Museum, and a 2017 Audi R8.
Swain says. “They trace the lives of a community’s founders, one of two museums that the nonprofit organization Ferrare’s career spans 35 years working for FPL at
record major events and provide details including spelling of oversees. its Turkey Point Nuclear Generating Station where he
names, dates of birth and death, military service and religious Ferrare’s responsibilities include managing the served as an engineering supervisor for 25 years and a
affiliations.” Elliott’s antique car collection of some 100 cars dating maintenance department head for five years. He also spent
Swain will also cover a variety of related topics including back to the early 1900s and utilizing the museum’s car 10 years in the United States Navy on a nuclear submarine.
how to locate cemeteries and gravestones, how to read faded or assets to involve the community by participating in car Since 1955, the Historical Society of Martin County
eroded gravestones and how to clean, repair and preserve them. shows and other car-related activities. has served as a guardian of local history and a cultural
The free webinar will be from 2 to 3 p.m., Friday, Feb. 19. “This will allow us to bring membership and donors center by operating the Elliott Museum and the House
To participate go to mcgsfl.org and register before Feb. 18. into the museum forefront, and to let the community know of Refuge Museum at Gilbert’s Bar, which opened in
An active genealogist for decades, Gary Swain has we have an excellent car collection and other activities so 1876 and served as a haven for shipwrecked survivors.
added 2,900 ancestors to his family tree. He combines his we can grow the museum and participate in community The Elliott Museum seeks to preserve and celebrate the
passion for genealogy, history and preservation through activities,” said Ferrare. region’s colorful history by presenting an eclectic mix
membership in the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil Ferrare has had a lifelong interest in cars and of traveling and rotating permanent exhibits, lectures
War. He has researched the genealogy of dozens of U.S. motorcycles and has volunteered as a docent at the Elliott and experiential events. The House of Refuge’s mission
military veterans, placing gravestones on unmarked graves Museum for over five years. is to educate the public about the historical significance
of veterans from the Civil War through World War II; “I specialize in high end supercars but I’m learning of Martin County’s iconic landmark and to ensure
during the past two years, he led efforts to clean, repair all the details about the Model A’s and older cars, such its historical integrity and preservation. For more
and preserve over 700 veteran gravestones. In addition, he as Model T’s,” said Ferrare. information, go online to www.elliottmuseum.org or call
regularly conducts preservation workshops for numerous His interest in high performance cars has included (772) 225-1961.
organizations. Swain serves on the boards of the Kalamazoo
Abraham Lincoln Institute, Western Michigan University
Foundation, Michigan Civil War Institute and the 13th
Michigan Memorial Association. A retired plastics industry
‘Exquisite and well worth touring.’
‘Beautifully restored.’
Featuring Flagler’s Railcar No. 91
and Gilded Age collections
‘Absolutely great place ...
you should see this Museum.’
Experience
Monday, Feb. 15th one of America’s
Great House Museums
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