UWF students interview Century residents at the Leach House Museum
Last Saturday I had the delightful experience of being interviewed by two UWF students about my experiences in Century through the years. They were a part of the Oral and Community History project directed by UWF Public Historian Dr. Jamin Wells. Their focus was on the ways the tornado of 2016 changed Century, but they also wanted to hear about other ways Century has changed.
The project included 12 UWF students who interviewed 13 Century area residents. Their finished project will be preserved in the UWF Historic Trust Archives.
Talking with the students brought back memories of my association with Century. I only lived in Century for a few years in the early 1980's but my Century experiences span the years from 1961 when I arrived at Century High School as a scared seventh grader to 2007 when I retired from Carver/Century K-8 after a 30 year career teaching in the Century schools.
I paraphrase one of the last questions I was asked: Where does Century go from here?
That is best answered by Century residents. Century began as a sawmill town controlled by the sawmill bosses. The sawmill is gone, the tornado made significant changes to the landscape, some previous town leaders have left and new people have moved into leadership roles. What happens now? Who is going to be part of the solution in Century's future?
One event I have enjoyed through the years, both before and after I joined the Alger Sullivan Historical Society, is Sawmill Day. This year's Sawmill Day will be Saturday, May 5th. It's not too late to reserve booth space or get your name on the entertainment line-up. Call our president, Jerry Fischer (256-3980), or me (850-417-9803) for more information. Agnes Grant has been telling me about some contests, in categories open and for ages 12 and under, that are in the works. There is no need to register early for the contests, just sign up at Agnes' booth on Sawmill Day.
Our museums are open most Saturdays from 10 am until 2 pm. Old 100, our restored Alger engine, is always there for viewing. The picnic area is available for public use. If you are on the property and decide you would like to see the museums, start calling the phone numbers you will find on the front door of the Leach House museum until you find someone who has time to come let you in. Individuals and groups are welcome to call me or Jerry (phone numbers above) to schedule visits at a time convenient for you. Our museums include: the Leach House Museum, which has exhibits of everyday life in early Century, Century High School memories, and pictures and items remembering the military service of area residents; the Post Office Museum which has exhibits from the early days of Century's post office, exhibits from Alger Sullivan records and tools from early logging and sawmilling days; and the Boxcar Museum which has railroad and logging camp memorabilia as well as dioramas of logging camp life.
The museums will be open with extended hours on Saturday, April 28th which will be the day of the 2018 Blackcat Reunion.
The next ASHS meeting will be Tuesday, March 20th at 6 pm in the Leach House Museum. Join us if you can, please.
