Mitzie McGavic	President
Bebe Jackson	Vice President
Forrest Reynolds	Secretary
Arlene Conley	Treasurer
Clel Shore	Director
Kay Higley	Director
Leonard Higley	Director
Vernon Keen	Director
Carol Mahler	Director
Harold McLeod	Director
James Westberry	Director

 

Committees

Standing Committees	Members
Membership	Clel Shore - chairperson
Finance	Arlene Conley
	Andy Ames
Program	John Reynolds

Special Committees	Members
Museum	Kathleen Ingraham-Kuhns - Chairperson
Restoration	Harold McLeod - Chairperson
Long-Range Planning	Leonard Higley - chairperson
	Kay Higley

 

Past Presidents

Adrian H. Cline	1986 - 1987
Howard Melton	1988 - 1989
Iris Bell	1990 - 1991
Luke Wilson	1992 - 1995
John A. Reynolds	1996 - 2004
Jerald Newberry	2005 - 2006
Art Anauo	2007 - 2008
Mitzie McGavic	2008 -

  

The past presidents of the DeSoto County Historical Society were honored at a monthly luncheon meeting of the Society. Pictured (left to right) are: Jerald Newberry, John Reynolds, Luke Wilson, Howard Melton and Adrian Cline. A special thank you to John Lawhorne, who provided us with this wonderful photo.

 

Meetings

Our meetings will be held the second Thursday of each month at the Family Service Center on Whidden Street in Arcadia at 12:00 noon until further notice, due to restoration and renovation of the Brownville School. Come early for our dutch treat luncheon! Luncheon is at 11:30 am, and is catered by Kay & Leonard Higley of the Historic Parker House Bed & Breakfast. Meeting dates and guests are as follows:

January 14, 2010:

Fred Carter introduced Charlotte Carter and Martha Craven, who spoke about the new Mural Society in Arcadia. Our January Newsletter can be viewed here.

February 11, 2010:

Dr. Barbara Carlton spoke about her new book, written by Barbara Oehlbeck: This Was Nearly Mine: A Journey Through Carlton Country. There were also copies available. Our February Newsletter can be viewed here.

March 4, 2010:

Kay Higley and Bebe Jackson, co-chairs of our Annual Pioneer Day and Barbequed Rib Cookoff Committee, will give a "sneak preview" of this heritage festival. Our March Newsletter can be viewed here.

April 8, 2010:

Carol Mahler and Guy LaBree gave a presentation about Mahler’s book, Guy LaBree: Barefoot Artist of the Florida Seminoles, published by the University Press of Florida. Our April Newsletter can be viewed here.

May 13, 2010:

Larry Hudson gave a presentation entitled “The Hudson-Ryals Family History.” Our May Newsletter can be viewed here.

June 17, 2010:

June Sowell spoke about "Historical People of Fort Ogden". Our June Newsletter can be viewed here.

July 8, 2010:

Frank Desguin spoke about how his grandparents met in Nocatee, and Captain Louie Desguin spoke about historical Peace River Tours. Our July Newsletter can be viewed here.

Take a look at our past speakers and newsletters here.