FLAGLER BEACH, Fla. — Before there was a museum, there were people who understood that their town’s photographs, family stories and everyday treasures deserved a place to call home.
Twenty-five years later, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum celebrated that vision with an anniversary gathering that brought together founders’ families, longtime volunteers, community leaders and a new generation ready to help preserve the past.
For board Chair Cindy Dalecki, the milestone offered an opportunity to thank the people who have sustained the museum since its founding in 2001 — and to imagine what comes next.
“It’s because people care to start the museum and to keep it going,” Dalecki said.
That care filled the room as volunteers and docents raised their hands for recognition. Board introductions offered a lighthearted illustration of the museum’s continuing evolution. Some members counted their service in years, while several newcomers had been on the board for less than 24 hours.
Dalecki, who estimated her own board service at 15 or 16 years, welcomed past museum directors Teri Pruden and Kathy Wilcox, and Mayor Patti King, alongside City Manager Dale Martin, Commissioner Scott Spradley and Sheriff Rick Staly, who brought a 1938 police car.
King read a city proclamation honoring the museum’s quarter-century commitment to collecting, preserving and sharing the photographs, artifacts and memories that tell Flagler Beach’s story.
The proclamation recognized the founders’ vision and the volunteers, donors, members and community partners who have carried it forward. It also emphasized the museum’s role in helping future generations become stewards of their community’s heritage.
“Thank you all for continuing that,” King said. “We greatly appreciate you in the community, and we need to make sure it continues forward.”
For James Fiske, the value of that work becomes apparent in everyday encounters with visitors: someone recognizing a face in a photograph, a family remembering a place that has changed, or a child asking a question that prompts a fresh look at a familiar subject.
“Some gave photographs or artifacts, some researched, organized, built exhibits, opened the doors, or shared whatever they remembered,” Fiske said. “Each contribution becomes part of the collection we care for today.”
Among those whose contributions helped establish the museum was Catherine Wilson, remembered during the celebration by her daughter, Barbara Revels.
Revels’ recollections painted a portrait of a resourceful woman whose love of local history grew from a life deeply connected to the community.
As a child, Revels accompanied her mother into the woods to gather fox grapes for jelly. The family collected Christmas trees from a farm long before Palm Coast developed around them. Wilson loved fishing and sewing, drove a school bus, worked as a seamstress and recovered furniture.
Her sewing skills also served the museum through placemats sold as a fundraiser.
After Revels’ father died, preserving history became a particular passion for Wilson. She lobbied the city commission, gathered support and donations, and helped bring people together around the idea of a museum.
The building itself held a piece of the town’s story.
“This was the firehouse,” Revels said. “I got to remodel it.”
Family trips became opportunities to gather ideas. Revels recalled photographing exhibits at other museums to bring inspiration home, including ways to tell the stories of founding families.
“She worked so hard in bringing everybody together and getting the donations,” Revels said.
That legacy took on new meaning with the presentation of the inaugural Catherine Wilson Awards, recognizing young people helping preserve and share local history.
Recipient Tzyonah Williams was honored for her work with the Museum Summer Adventure Series, welcoming children and helping make history something they could explore for themselves.
“I love the Flagler Museum so much,” she said. “It was the highlight of my summer.”
The second recipient, Caleb Hathaway, began researching his first book at 16. A local author who grew up in Flagler County, Hathaway also participates in living history presentations and recently joined the museum’s board.
“This is a wonderful institution here that has preserved so much history,” Hathaway said.
His recognition underscored a theme running throughout the evening: The museum’s future depends on helping younger generations find their own connection to the past.
Revels welcomed the young people in attendance and described an idea for a hands-on space, potentially called “Cat’s Closet,” where students could touch and explore clothing and objects from the past.
Dalecki also sees opportunities to expand the museum’s summer programming. Interest from adults has prompted discussion of an adult museum summer camp, while possible audio tours are among other ideas under consideration.
Keeping participation accessible remains a priority. Annual memberships start at $25 for individuals and $40 for families.
“We want everybody to be a part of it,” Dalecki said.
She shared a recent example of that community connection when a visitor, inspired by an older aerial photograph on display, donated a newer image so the two could be viewed together.
For Dalecki, such gestures explain how the museum has reached this anniversary — and why its next chapter holds promise.
“Everybody, really in this town and beyond, cares about the museum, cares about preserving the museum,” she said. “It really warms your heart.”
