Page 8 - Jupiter Spotlight - March '22

Page 8, Jupiter Spotlight
Loxahatchee River Historical Society Celebrates

50th Anniversary With Proclamation Presentation

From Palm Beach County Board Of Commissioners

Telling The Stories From
Oil House Museum To

Outstanding Natural Area

On a breezy deck, below the restored 1860 Jupiter Inlet
Lighthouse, a small group of dignitaries and supporters
gathered on Thursday, Jan. 27, to celebrate a historic
milestone in the community. The date marked the 50th
Anniversary of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society
(LRHS) – five decades of historic preservation and
educational programming for the local nonprofit. The
historical society was deeply honored to be presented with
a proclamation from Palm Beach County Commissioner
Maria Marino of District 1 that afternoon.
Jamie Stuve, president and CEO of the LRHS,
welcomed guests and began by briefly telling the story
of pioneer descendent Bessie Wilson DuBois and her
love for history and collecting artifacts from Jupiter’s
multilayered past and from her time living on the Jupiter
Inlet. Stuve then introduced the original founder of the Matt Pazanski, Town of Juno Beach; Dr. Robin Sykes; Dan Comerford, mayor, Jupiter Inlet Colony; Jamie Stuve; Palm Beach County
Loxahatchee River Historical Society and longtime local Commissioner Marino, District 1; Ron Delaney, council member Town of Jupiter; Peter De Witt, Bureau of Land Management
resident, Ethel Gravett.
Gravett recounted the pivotal moment that sparked an Loxahatchee River Historical Society on page 9
idea and that would shape the future of the Jupiter Inlet
for generations to come. As a den mother, she decided ON T H E HOR I Z ON
to take her sons’ Cub Scout troop (her scout is now 57
years old) to earn their history badge by visiting Bessie Lighthouse Sunset Tour
DuBois at her home in DuBois Park. Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Bessie shared tables and walls full of remarkable Lighthouse Moonrise Tour
historic artifacts and photographs, and later asked, “What Where History Mar. 18
is going to happen to all this?” This was Gravett’s “ah- Meets Adventure! Lighthouse Sunrise Tour
ha” moment. Active in the Junior Women’s League and Mar. 13, 19
other local organizations, she galvanized local community Twilight Yoga at the Light
members like Bill and Judie Wood, Anna Minear, Rose Mar. 7, 14, 21, 28
Meyerowitz, Pat Magrogan and others, to form a group Lighthouse Story Time
dedicated to the area’s historic preservation and the & Crafts for Kids
Loxahatchee Historical Society was born. Mar. 26
As the fledgling society took shape, the new
organization consulted with museums and individuals Wild & Scenic
such as Judge Knott, with experience on how to operate Film Festival
and properly protect the important cultural heritage of
the Jupiter Inlet area. Saturday, April 9
Many people contributed to the success of the Tickets available
Loxahatchee River Historical Society over the years. starting March 7
Gravett expressed how excited she was to see what the
LRHS has grown to become. Early on, the U.S. Coast 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
Guard told Gravett that the lighthouse was difficult to 500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter administered by the BLM within
the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse
Outstanding Natural Area.
maintain and happily agreed for the LRHS have the Oil
House as a museum, opening only on Sundays. Gravett
told how the mail would come to her at the Coast Guard
site, addressed to “The Girl at the Lighthouse.”
Palm Beach County Commissioner Marino greeted
the audience and enthusiastically read the proclamation,
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 been at the helm of the historical society
since 2002.
The society’s historian and collection manager Josh
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 than 10 years and that means
something … stability!” related Liller. Some notable
docents mentioned for their contributions 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