Page 9 - Jupiter West - March '22

Jupiter West, Page 9
Loxahatchee River Historical Society Celebrates

50th Anniversary With Proclamation Presentation

From Palm Beach County Board Of Commissioners

Telling The Stories From a proclamation from Palm Beach County Commissioner to take her sons’ Cub Scout troop (her scout is now 57

Oil House Museum To Maria Marino of District 1 that afternoon. years old) to earn their history badge by visiting Bessie
Jamie Stuve, president and CEO of the LRHS,
DuBois at her home in DuBois Park.
Outstanding Natural Area welcomed guests and began by briefly telling the story Bessie shared tables and walls full of remarkable
of pioneer descendent Bessie Wilson DuBois and her historic artifacts and photographs, and later asked, “What
On a breezy deck, below the restored 1860 Jupiter Inlet love for history and collecting artifacts from Jupiter’s is going to happen to all this?” This was Gravett’s “ah-
Lighthouse, a small group of dignitaries and supporters multilayered past and from her time living on the Jupiter ha” moment. Active in the Junior Women’s League and
gathered on Thursday, Jan. 27, to celebrate a historic Inlet. Stuve then introduced the original founder of the other local organizations, she galvanized local community
milestone in the community. The date marked the 50th Loxahatchee River Historical Society and longtime local members like Bill and Judie Wood, Anna Minear, Rose
Anniversary of the Loxahatchee River Historical Society resident, Ethel Gravett. Meyerowitz, Pat Magrogan and others, to form a group
(LRHS) – five decades of historic preservation and Gravett recounted the pivotal moment that sparked an dedicated to the area’s historic preservation and the
educational programming for the local nonprofit. The idea and that would shape the future of the Jupiter Inlet Loxahatchee Historical Society was born.
historical society was deeply honored to be presented with for generations to come. As a den mother, she decided As the fledgling society took shape, the new
organization consulted with museums and individuals
such as Judge Knott, with experience on how to operate
and properly protect the important cultural heritage of
the Jupiter Inlet area.
Many people contributed to the success of the
Loxahatchee River Historical Society over the years.
Gravett expressed how excited she was to see what the
LRHS has grown to become. Early on, the U.S. Coast
Guard told Gravett that the lighthouse was difficult to
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.
Matt Pazanski, Town of Juno Beach; Dr. Robin Sykes; Dan Comerford, mayor, Jupiter Inlet Colony; Jamie Stuve; Palm Beach County
Commissioner Marino, District 1; Ron Delaney, council member Town of Jupiter; Peter De Witt, Bureau of Land Management Loxahatchee River Historical Society on page 10