I was digging around in a box of stuff the other day and came across my old high school class ring. My mind flashed to the people, cars, and places that I knew in those days and I thought it funny how something of little physical value can hold so much worth in memories. This is the thing that our society is built on also, simple items that hold worthwhile memories.
In case you have not been to the museums lately, let me offer a short description. But, first l will state this. This year the society celebrates thirty-one years of sharing memories of this area. During these years many items of local history have been accumulated. In the last few years much effort has been given to organize these items and create displays in a fashion of museum presentations such as our space and meager finances allow. But, something is amiss. Even though admission is free and the doors are open each Saturday, there have been very few visits in the last many weeks. We look to you for help. Simply let friends and visitors to the area know that the society’s museums are here.
Our society is located in the Alger-Sullivan Residential Historic District, possibly the only remaining example of a saw mill-built community in Florida. On our grounds is Century’s 1913 post-office and a steam locomotive purchased by the lumber company here in 1919. Our main museum was the home of the chief forester of the Alger-Sullivan Company. As you enter Leach House, you will see a miniature of the saw mill and town; this impressive feature was built by a former employee of the mill as a train set for his children. On the walls are logging tools and photos of the men who began the sawmill company here in 1900. On one wall in this room is the story of Mr. Leach along with a new display recalling the history of scouting in this community.
Room two of the museum is a collection of household items used before electricity, most of these relics were made before the era of mass production. There are items of the rich and poor, the tuxedo of the lumber company president, toiletries of the richest folks in town, hand-operated washing machines, irons and brooms. This room also highlights our early communities; one interesting item is a double barrel gun from the 1880s, brought to Bluff Springs as new families settled there. In one display case are two small coins: tokens given by early saw mill companies to employees in lieu of money. One unusual item in this room is a 1910 egg x-ray device produced by a small northern company after buying the patent.
Room three is largely devoted to the Tuberville Hospital and its descendants. A good collection of medical devices are here. This room remembers Sam Tuberville who came here at the turn of the century with two years of medical school and began a hospital. From 1905 to 1910 it was the only hospital between Pensacola and Montgomery and left a legacy of medical care for the region for almost eighty years.
Room four is small. It is crowded with displays of school items from several communities, along with trophies of Century High from the 1950s and 60s, high school uniforms and photos of outstanding athletes. The school theme follows into the society’s meeting room with trophies and student photos along the walls. One wall however is reserved with memorabilia of local military members. Here, along with many photos and several uniforms, is a rare item: a special 1939 ladies R.O.T.C. uniform designed at the University of Alabama for an outstanding student.
Our old post office is the only such museum in West Florida showing postal history. There are two rooms. The first recalls Century’s long-term lady Postmaster. Here also is an unusual collection of postal envelops from the 1930s and 1940s monogramed with famous locations of the era from across the nation. Interspersed with the postal items is a display of business machines from the old saw mill. The second room chronicles the history of the saw mill here with large photos and a new exhibit of documents and items collected through-out the company’s history.
Our old boxcar museum is attached to the “Old 100” locomotive. This little museum is devoted to railroad history. There are miniature displays of logging trains, trucks, and camps as well as numerous items of historic train routes.
Lastly, in the little shed are two rooms. One is displayed to represent a farm blacksmith shop of the early twentieth century, and contains many authentic items of the era. The other room houses displays associated with local history of brickmaking, and Naval Stores, along with a collection of manual and powered logging saws. The highlights of this room are two machines that would have been a community necessity during the early part of the last century - belt-driven grist mills. One is dated from 1940, the other from 1900. Along with these machines, as with many items on display are the stories of their history in our region.
The society is happy to schedule a visit during the week, contact numbers are on the front door. A guided tour would expect to take more than hour. Bring your family, church, social or work group. Or, come to Sawmill Day.
