Page 8 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - March '22

Page 8, Jupiter Ocean Mile
Loxahatchee River Historical Society Celebrates

50th Anniversary With Proclamation Presentation

From Palm Beach County Board Of Commissioners

Telling The Stories From From the original Oil House
Oil House Museum To Museum in 1973 to the spearheading
of the 2008 Congressional legislation
Outstanding Natural Area to create the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area, to
On a breezy deck, below the restored 1860 Jupiter Inlet safeguarding the nationally significant
Lighthouse, a small group of dignitaries and supporters historic site, the LRHS has helped to
gathered on Thursday, Jan. 27, to celebrate a historic milestone transform the former military site into
in the community. The date marked the 50th Anniversary of the a keystone heritage destination for
Loxahatchee River Historical Society (LRHS) – five decades Palm Beach County and the nation.
of historic preservation and educational programming for the Stuve capped the ceremony
local nonprofit. The historical society was deeply honored to by touching on an expanded new
be presented with a proclamation from Palm Beach County vision to create much-needed new
Commissioner Maria Marino of District 1 that afternoon. facilities to better serve the needs
Jamie Stuve, president and CEO of the LRHS, welcomed of the community and our history.
guests and began by briefly telling the story of pioneer Dr. Robin Sykes, LRHS Board
descendent Bessie Wilson DuBois and her love for history and chair added, “We hope we can count
collecting artifacts from Jupiter’s multilayered past and from on all of you to be our ambassadors
her time living on the Jupiter Inlet. Stuve then introduced the as we make a leap towards truly
original founder of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society sustaining our heritage for future Matt Pazanski, Town of Juno Beach; Dr. Robin Sykes; Dan Comerford, mayor, Jupiter Inlet
and longtime local resident, Ethel Gravett. generations of our community and Colony; Jamie Stuve; Palm Beach County Commissioner Marino, District 1; Ron Delaney,
Gravett recounted the pivotal moment that sparked an idea and for all Americans.” council member Town of Jupiter; Peter De Witt, Bureau of Land Management
that would shape the future of the Jupiter Inlet for generations to
come. As a den mother, she decided to take her sons’ Cub Scout Loxahatchee River Historical Society on page 9
troop (her scout is now 57 years old) to earn their history badge
by visiting Bessie DuBois at her home in DuBois Park. ON T H E HOR I Z ON
Bessie shared tables and walls full of remarkable historic
artifacts and photographs, and later asked, “What is going to Lighthouse Sunset Tour
happen to all this?” This was Gravett’s “ah-ha” moment. Active Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
in the Junior Women’s League and other local organizations, she Lighthouse Moonrise Tour
galvanized local community members like Bill and Judie Wood, Where History Mar. 18
Anna Minear, Rose Meyerowitz, Pat Magrogan and others, to Meets Adventure! Lighthouse Sunrise Tour
form a group dedicated to the area’s historic preservation and Mar. 13, 19
the Loxahatchee Historical Society was born. Twilight Yoga at the Light
As the fledgling society took shape, the new organization Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28
consulted with museums and individuals such as Judge Knott, Lighthouse Story Time
with experience on how to operate and properly protect the & Crafts for Kids
important cultural heritage of the Jupiter Inlet area. Mar. 26
Many people contributed to the success of the Loxahatchee
River Historical Society over the years. Gravett expressed Wild & Scenic
how excited she was to see what the LRHS has grown to Film Festival
become. Early on, the U.S. Coast Guard told Gravett that the
lighthouse was difficult to maintain and happily agreed for Saturday, April 9
the LRHS have the Oil House as a museum, opening only on Tickets available
Sundays. Gravett told how the mail would come to her at the starting March 7
Coast Guard site, addressed to “The Girl at the Lighthouse.”
Palm Beach County Commissioner Marino greeted jupiterlighthouse.org 561-747-8380 This activity is conducted under
permit from the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) and occurs
all or in part on public lands
the audience and enthusiastically read the proclamation, 500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter administered by the BLM within
the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area.
recognizing the historical society for 50 years of
accomplishments in preservation of the iconic Jupiter Inlet
Lighthouse and other historic buildings as well as service to
the community. Commissioner Marino then presented the
proclamation to Jamie Stuve, president and CEO, who has CAMPBELL AND KARLIK, P.A.
been at the helm of the historical society since 2002.
The society’s historian and collection manager Josh ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Liller gave a brief overview of the accomplishments and key
moments of the historical society’s 50-year journey. “We’ve
had many wonderful people volunteer for over 20 years. Many
staff members also have been with the organization for more Wills • Trusts • Estate Planning • Probate
than 10 years and that means something … stability!” related
Liller. Some notable docents mentioned for their contributions Taxation • Real Estate • Corporations
to the society were John Walker, Red and Marylou Shirar,
Evelyne Bates, and acknowledged posthumously were “Saint”
Joan Hudiburg, historian Chuck Milhauser, “Lighthouse” Bob
Boyd, and Jim and Molly Sparger.
“The LRHS have been community advocates and fierce
watchdogs of history and historic preservation,” Liller
added. “The LRHS has always made it clear through their
communications and efforts that this area’s history was extremely
important and worth preserving.” He observed that there were
always “the right people at the right time” to further the society’s
mission work. Liller pointed out that the LRHS has stood through
storms both figurative and literal, persevering and overcoming
obstacles with the dedication of volunteers and staff.
Jamie Stuve once again took to the microphone to recognize
a few key supporters and partners present at the ceremony.
Notably, Peter De Witt, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding
Natural Area, Bureau of Land Management; Ron Delaney,
councilor with the Town of Jupiter; Joe Chaison, executive Diane L. KarLiK
director of the Jupiter Inlet District; and author and former
board chair James D. Snyder for his remarkable history book
Five Thousand Years on the Loxahatchee. Also recognized
was Robert Carr, executive director of the Archaeological Tel: (561) 625-5220
and Historical Conservancy, for his important site work at the 3450 Northlake Boulevard Suite 210 Fax: (561) 625-5201• Mobile: (561) 797-5004
lighthouse, uncovering the location of the original lighthouse Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33403 EMail: dlkarlik@aol.com
keepers’ house and cistern among other discoveries.