Baker County Historical Society

04/02/2026

On this day in 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León made landfall in Florida, claiming the land for Spain and marking one of the earliest recorded European arrivals in what is now the United States.

His expedition helped shape the early history of Florida and opened the door to future exploration in the region.

Moments like these remind us just how deep Florida’s roots truly go!

04/02/2026

UPDATE FROM THE BAKER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Okay… we may have gotten a little carried away 😄

While a 50-foot digital billboard, facial recognition inmate matching, VR arrests, and selfie-ready jail cells sound pretty exciting…

None of these “upgrades” are actually happening.

We couldn’t resist having a little fun with our beloved 1910 Old Historic Jail—because even history deserves a good laugh now and then!

Thank you for playing along with us, and for continuing to support the preservation of real Baker County history ❤️

Happy April Fool’s Day from BCHS!

04/01/2026

04/01/2026

🎉 NO FOOLIN’ — we’ve got the BEST members around! 🎉

The BCHS Board of Directors is sending a big, cheerful shoutout to all of our members celebrating April birthdays! 🥳🎂

We hope your special day is filled with laughter, fun, and all the things you love most. Here’s to another wonderful year ahead!

🎈 Happy Birthday from all of us at BCHS! 🎈

04/01/2026

WE ARE SO EXCITED TO SHARE THE NEWS!!! Improvements are on the way! Over the past few months, the new Board of Directors has been hard at work enhancing the Old Historic Jail.

We can’t wait for everyone to see the progress we’ve made!

03/31/2026

What’s your story? One of the most valuable things you can leave future generations is your own history. Write down your memories, experiences, and family traditions, and include the documents and details you wish you knew about your ancestors.

📜 Visit the Baker County Historical Society's Genealogy Library, open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10 AM – 3 PM at the Old Historical Jail in Macclenny. We will be open Sat. 4/4.

Your story is part of history—make sure it’s preserved for those who come after you.

03/30/2026

On Saturday the Baker County Historical Society celebrated our 3rd annual Legacy Day event with fellowship and learning. This event highlighted America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Guest speaker Thomas Parham gave a wonderful and informative presentation on the Revolutionary War in Florida and representatives of the Sons and Daughters of the American Revolution, David Chandler and Dr. Jane McClelland, provided insightful information on genealogy and how to become a member of the SAR and DAR. JROTC presented the colors of the flag which set the patriotic tone of the day. Guests in attendance were also treated to original patriotic music composed by member, Andre Ferreira, with Cathy Mendolera providing vocals.

A great time was had by all!

If you’re interested in becoming a member visit www.bakerhistory.org

03/25/2026

🚨 LAST DAY TO GET YOUR TICKETS! 🚨

Don’t miss out on this exciting event! Tickets are just $35 and include a delicious lunch.

Purchase yours today at www.bakerhistory.org under the “Events” page.

Join us for a fascinating look at the American Revolution in Florida, and enjoy the opportunity to connect with local SAR & DAR chapter representatives.

Spots are limited—secure your ticket now! We can’t wait to see you this Saturday!

03/24/2026

Tomorrow is the last day to purchase tickets for the Baker County Historical Society's Legacy Day event on Sat, March 28th from 11 am to 2 pm.

Purchase your ticket online at www.bakerhistory.org. Tickets are $35 and includes lunch. Hope to see you Saturday!

03/24/2026

Preserving family documents is an important part of protecting your history. Store papers unfolded in archival folders or envelopes made from acid- and lignin-free materials, and keep them in flat storage boxes. Scanning and transcribing originals also helps ensure the information is preserved for future generations.

📜 Visit the Baker County Historical Society's Genealogy Library, open the 1st and 3rd Saturdays from 10 AM – 3 PM at the Old Historical Jail in Macclenny.

Protect your family history today so it can be shared tomorrow.

03/24/2026

As part of our ongoing project to document our historic cemeteries in Baker County, several cemetery committee members visited 4 locations last Saturday.
Woodlawn
Hodges
Mt. Herman
South Prong Cemetery (Below picture is of a memorial for the Tippens family who died during an Indian uprising.)

Watch for details of an event on May 9, 2026 where the Historical Society will showcase the work of this committee.

03/21/2026

WE'RE OPEN!! The society will be open today from 10 am to 3 pm. Make plans to stop in to buy your Legacy Day ticket, take a tour or do a little genealogy research.

Please pardon our mess as we are working on renovations upstairs in our library rooms.

The Cemetery Committee will be meeting this morning at 9:30 AM at the Baker County Historical Society. Following the meeting, committee members will be visiting several local cemeteries.