| Preserving the history of Florida’s citrus industry |
The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame has received several significant collections this past year of historical artifacts from notable collectors of citrus memorabilia, including citrus crate labels from Jim Ellis (Bartow, Fla.), postcards from Jerry Chicone (Orlando, Fla.) and Brenda Eubanks Burnette (West Palm Beach, Fla.), and more than 200 various items from Don Ball (Bradenton, Fla.), including correspondence, invoices, photos, ads, crate stencils, and an antique wooden juicer. [emember_protected custom_msg=”Click here and register now to read the rest of the article!”]
Other citrus artifacts already in the collection include a fruit knife and reamer collection from Dr. Larry Jackson, and marketing memorabilia from the Florida Department of Citrus. The collections have been added to the Florida Citrus Archives (originally created by Professor Thomas Mack) and are located at Florida Southern College (FSC) in Lakeland.
All of the items will be cataloged in an online database that can be reached through the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame website, and many will be available to create three-dimensional exhibits that will be loaned to schools, civic organizations, and museums for educational purposes. The preservation projects and educational activities are under the direction of FSC archivist LuAnn Mims in the McKay Archives Center. The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame funds the preservation work through its endowment fund, which provides money to three fellowship students each semester who are chosen to work in the Archives Center.
These artifacts are important to preserve, as they help tell the story of a bygone era and give us insight to our history. The Florida Citrus Archives creates a different exhibit showcasing these items annually in March, in conjunction with the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame Inductee Luncheon. Next year’s luncheon is scheduled for March 7, 2014.
About the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame:
Based in Lakeland, The Florida Citrus Hall of Fame was established in 1962 to pay tribute to those who have made significant contributions to the Florida citrus industry. A permanent endowment fund was established in 2009 for future Citrus Hall of Fame projects, the Hall of Fame Student Fellowship Program and to maintain the display and website in perpetuity. For more information about the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, please visit the website at www.FloridaCitrusHallofFame.com.
To donate memorabilia:
Anyone wishing to donate artifacts or memorabilia to the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame and the Florida Citrus Archives are encouraged to contact Brenda Eubanks Burnette, executive director of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, at (561) 351-4314 or BBurne1003@aol.com.
CREDITS
story by BRENDA EUBANKS BURNETTE
photos courtesy of the Florida Citrus Archives [/emember_protected]
