OHC NEWSLETTER
Jan, Feb and March 2025
Okefenokee Heritage Center turns 50!
An excerpt from the book:
“The Unusual Story of the Okefenokee Heritage Center and Southern Forest World”, written by Susan Lott Clark
(Article abridged by Carla Cornett)
How it all began!
At the regular meeting of the Waycross Service League, on May 5, 1964, the following came as a recommendation from the executive committee: “We move that the League investigate the establishment of a Children’s Museum on Waycross”. Ruth Groover seconded; motion carried. There was a long discussion about it. Barbara Moore said that whereas our meetings usually lasted only about forty-five minutes, she recalls that this on went on for an hour and a half. Some of the members scoffed at the idea, saying there was nothing in Waycross old enough to be worthy of keeping. They probably were thinking of Waycross in comparison to Williamsburg. Others possibly were thinking that usually, the Waycross Service League had worked more to provide health clinics for children and with welfare-related organizations. A commit-tee was appointed, with Mrs. Norman (Dot) Gibson, chairman; Mrs. Billy (Ruth) Groover; Mrs. John (Anna) Fesperman; and me.
We met a couple of times, early in May, and decided the way to begin would be to interview various so-called civic leaders to see what they thought. So, we talked personally with some of the wealthier, more influential people in town. Many were rather indifferent. Their caution was that we might be able to raise the money for the museum but that it would be very hard to continue to raise money for operating costs for a museum in Waycross. How right they were! It has been a constant struggle from the start. However, we personally are glad we did it, because we believe it has added an awareness of the need for educational and cultural enrichment along with other activities that have improved the quality of life in Waycross. Young people, now in their thirties, have said, “I can’t imagine Waycross without the Heritage Center”.
Find out more in our Newsletter, click the link below: