The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Programs

Heritage Craft Classes

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is offering the following traditional craft classes in its Heritage Alive Craft Series. Space is limited. Pre-register by calling (850) 678-2615 or stop by the Museum at 115 Westview Avenue, Valparaiso.

Emerald Coast Woodturning Guild Saturday, September 20 10 a.m. – until The program begins at 10 a.m. and is followed by basic instruction in traditional woodturning and woodcraft techniques. Craftsmen from the ECWG will demonstrate their incredible skills, display their finely crafted work and answer questions from visitors. Come and watch as the saw dust flies! This program is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. Call (850) 678-2615 for a reservation. The HMNF keeps traditional handcrafts and trades alive through its monthly Heritage Alive! Craft Series. This series is supported in part with a grant from the Okaloosa Arts Alliance.
GENERATION FUND HMNF Announces New Planned Giving Program The HMNF is pleased to announce the establishment of the Generation Fund, a planned giving program. This program will provide HMNF members and individuals in the community an opportunity to donate to the museum via estate planning. “Museums are all about the long term. I feel good knowing that I've designated money today to support the HMNF Florida in the future,” affirmed Ken Bailey, senior vice president and regional chief financial officer, Synovus Financial Corporation. The museum is proud to acknowledge community members for their leadership and vision as principal members of this new program and encourages the public to become part of history and further preserve and promote the region's rich heritage in the years ahead. Contributions to the Generation Fund may be designated for collections care and management, acquisitions, public education programs or facility expansion and operations.
Pine Needle Basketry Saturdays, March 29 & April 5 9 a.m. – noon The early Native Americans produced carrying vessels from the abundance of pine needles in the region. Design and create a basket from this local resource. Materials included. Cost: $35, $30 for HMNF members
Basket Weaving – Single Wine Basket Saturday, April 12 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. While designed to hold a single wine bottle, this tall flat reed basket with handle could be used on kitchen counter or desk. Most supplies included. Cost: $30, $25 for HMNF members
Beginning Tatting Wednesdays, May 7, 14, 21 & 28 9:30 a.m. -11:30 a. m. Every Victorian household had intricately tatted lace doilies, pillowcase edgings and collars. Learn this traditional art in four lessons. Materials included. Cost: $35, $30 for HMNF members
Basket Weaving – Cracker Basket Saturday, May 17 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Designed as a miniature of the traditional hearth basket that held kindling in Cracker homes, this one is for saltines. Most supplies included. Cost: $30, $25 for HMNF members

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HANDS-ON HISTORY
This series of Saturday programs and workshops is geared toward children 5-8 years old.

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History Sandwiched-In
Lunchtime Lectures at the Heritage Museum

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is pleased to present History Sandwiched-In, a lunchtime lecture series on topics pertaining to local and regional history. Brown bag lunches are encouraged. Lectures are offered free as part of the museum’s 35th anniversary program schedule. This ongoing program will feature one-hour lectures presented by historians and scholars and local legends.

Carrie Sue Ayvar with Bilingual Storytelling

Thursday, March 5
12:00 noon

A third generation bilingual (Spanish/English) storyteller, Ms. Ayvar is dedicated to preserving and promoting the art of storytelling throughout the United States and Mexico. She has developed and given storytelling workshops for families, teachers, and students, from preschool to university level, as well as for many diverse community groups. Join Ms. Ayvar as she shares the age old tradition of storytelling.

Dr. Judy Bense with a Northwest Florida Archaeology Update: Shipwrecks, Spanish Colonists, and Indians

Thursday, May 1
12:00 noon

Dr. Bense is the Executive Director of the Division of Anthropology and Archaeology and Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. During 2004-5 she created the Florida Public Archaeology Network, a statewide network of institutions dedicated to promoting archaeology.

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The Heritage Trunk
A Museum Education Resource Now Available

The Heritage Trunk, a newly developed educational resource created by the Heritage Museum, is now available to all Okaloosa and Walton County educators and home educators free of charge.

The Heritage Trunk is a museum education tool geared toward 3rd and 4th grade classroom curriculum that can be used in the classroom or on-site at the Museum to teach students about local and regional history. The Heritage Trunk contains images and objects from the Museum’s permanent collection which will help engage student discussion, expand critical thinking skills, inspire imagination, and teach history from a new perspective.

This program is sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, the Florida Arts Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, please contact the Museum at 678-2615.

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Heritage Craft Classes|Hands-on History|History Sandwiched-In|The Heritage Trunk
School Tours|General Tours