As the end of June grows near, I find myself approaching the halfway mark of my term as the Historic Preservation Intern at the Walton County Heritage Association. I have continued to assist with museum operations and have become increasingly familiar with the everyday duties that public historic preservation entails. One of my main regular duties is serving as a docent for the museum, in which I welcome visitors to the museum, provide oral interpretation for museum collections, and assist visitors in making purchases from our gift shop. I also assist community members regarding matters of local historic preservation, which is relevant for an increasingly developing area. For example, I helped one concerned citizen research the history of her neighborhood, which she could bring to her city council in response to a major development project and re-zoning proposal for that area. I have also worked to integrate myself with the leadership of the Walton County Heritage Association and its various stakeholders. I had the privilege of attending a board meeting last week, where I was able to present updates on my current works in progress as their intern. That meeting was an eye-opening experience, as it showed me that preserving the heritage of a local community is truly an “all hands on deck” effort!
One of the major projects I am currently working on is writing and submitting grant proposals on behalf of the Walton County Heritage Association. Funds secured from these grants would go toward various projects that would not only improve the museum but also increase engagement with the local community, especially young people. One of the main projects to be funded would be making and developing “TikTok-style” short form videos for our main exhibits. Visitors would view these videos by scanning a QR code with their smartphones at each exhibit, and the videos would also be posted on our social media pages. Other projects that could increase community outreach include facilitating WCHA presence at various events and festivals in DeFuniak Springs, such as the weekly farmer’s market. With grant funding, we could set up a tent in the vendor areas, sell merchandise from our gift store, and engage young people in historic activities such as churning butter and using a typewriter. Using technology and hands-on activities, we hope to target younger generations to help them become more interested and involved in preserving their local heritage.
Another major project I have under way is a research project on the “Captain Fritz”, which is pictured above. The “Fritz” was a steamboat that was manufactured in 1892 in Moss Point, Mississippi. The ship served as a major economic and cultural lifeline for the developing economy of Walton County in the early 1900s, carrying freight and passengers between Freeport and Pensacola via the Choctawhatchee Bay. The vast majority of the ship’s freight were naval stores, which are chemicals derived from pine trees used in shipbuilding. The Fritz’s passengers included some major figures in Walton County history, such as the Wesley family, who built the Wesley House in what is now Eden Gardens State Park. Sadly, in 1930, a mysterious fire destroyed the Fritz and killed one crew member. The wreckage still lies in the Choctawhatchee River, and is even visible when the water level is low enough. In my research, I have found a treasure trove of primary sources in the Pensacola News Journal digital archive (accessed through the University of West Florida). Using these newspaper articles, I hope to write a newsletter article for members of the Walton County Historical Association and even potentially facilitate an exhibit in our museum on the Captain Fritz! I am very excited to be conducting this research and to help inform our community more on the economic history of Walton County.
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