Grand reopening planned for Titusville museum after setbacks

Last updated on March 11, 2022

After closing and opening only to close again for several reasons — the pandemic, a death of a volunteer and needed repairs to its storefront — the North Brevard Historical Museum is reopening. 

The community is invited to the grand reopening of the museum in downtown Titusville at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 2.

“We will have light refreshments and a short, welcoming speech by museum President Bill Baldwin,” said Margaret Miller Vessels, a docent who chairs the Artifacts Committee.

Since it opened in 1989, the museum has been fulfilling its mission of collecting, displaying and presenting the history of North Brevard County. But like much of daily life, the museum was hit hard by the COVID pandemic, which forced it to close in March 2020. It reopened with an abbreviated schedule in May 2021.

The museum volunteers and community also grieved the passing of museum secretary, Judy Hunt Davis.

“An amazing person and secretary, she was the heart and soul of the museum,” Vessels said.

There would be another hurdle to overcome. More recently, the museum remained closed due to water damage above the front entrance.

“The overhang is being removed and rebuilt to the city’s Historic Preservation Board’s approval,” Vessels said.

The work is progressing and everything should be ready for the grand reopening.

Visitors will notice a new addition to the museum’s collection of military memorabilia, vintage clothing, toys, tools, postcards and more. Recently acquired is an early 1900s spinning wheel, donated by Dexter Beck of Rockledge.

“The people at the museum were glad to receive the spinning wheel and I was pleased to donate it,” he said.

The spinning wheel belonged to his great-grandparents Homer and Mary Nicholson, who moved from Geneva, Florida to Mims in 1924. The cracker house where they lived and used the spinning wheel still stands at Folsom Road and State Road 46 in Mims. It recently was sold by heirs.

Beck’s Brevard County roots run deep. His great uncle, John Nicholson, operated the old Sinclair service station in downtown Titusville.

The museum welcomes donations of artifacts historically linked to North Brevard County.

The Historical Society of North Brevard which operates the museum was founded in 1966 and established as a not-for-profit in 1982. Funds are obtained through membership dues, donations and fundraisers. The museum is staffed by volunteers. Admission is free, but donations are received.

The Museum is at 301 S. Washington Ave. in downtown Titusville. Hours are noon to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Call 321-269-3658

This article first appeared on VieraVoice.com