Oh, What a Night! Night at the Museum 2026!
By Barbara Palmgren
On Oct. 3 at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida in Valparaiso, a special event called Night at the Museum honored the 250th anniversary of the birth of our nation.
Everyone enjoyed meeting and hearing from Valparaiso Mayor Joe Morgan, portraying Thomas Jefferson; Travis Souther, representing a colonial soldier; and Parker Destin, depicting George Washington. Each of these actors was located in a separate area of the museum, coming to life and entertaining small groups of 12-18 participants in a cozy atmosphere to make the experience up close and personal.
The fourth reenactment was a mini-musical, “Abigail’s Choice,” written and directed by Barbara Palmgren. “Oh, what a night! Late December back in ‘76,” sang Ken Walsh, dressed as John Hancock, who fantasized about how he might open John Hancock Insurance because of his famous signature. Of course, Mike McMain, representing John Adams, reminded him of how Hancock kept a low profile the night they “threw the tea into the harbor.” The cast included Bryan Griffin, Erica Griffin, Ken Walsh, Mike McMain, Barbara Palmgren and Connie Wolfe, with Michael Weaver as musical director.
The audience consisted of local supporters from Okaloosa and Walton counties and a visitor from Texas who said she learned a lot about our history while being entertained. She thought every student studying American history should see these presentations. And who knows, because the acts were videotaped by a teen volunteer from Niceville High School earning community service hours, this just might be possible. One special group consisted of members of the Okaloosa County 250th Commission, many dressed in colonial attire as they continued with still many more events to complete this extraordinary year.
The event took planning and organization from management staff Arthur Edgar and Debra Reddick, as well as volunteers who poured drinks and served food throughout the evening. Festivities ended with the cutting of a special cake, participants bidding on silent auction items and guests viewing exhibits throughout the museum. The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida also had a large copy of its own Declaration with a few famous lines and welcomed more signatures so that this historic year would be preserved.
An Evening of Culture Celebrates America 250!
By Barbara Palmgren
Okaloosa County was well represented by Parker Destin, who served on a five-person panel at an evening event in Pensacola in late September. The University of West Florida’s College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities presented a program titled “Gulf Coast Culture: Revolution and Rebellion.”
The keynote address was delivered by featured speaker Jack E. Davis, noted historian and author of “The Gulf: The Making of an American Sea.” Davis received the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for History for this book, which covers the history of the Gulf of Mexico from its geological formation to the present (2016). Visiting from Central Florida, where he teaches at the University of Florida, Davis spoke highly of the Florida Panhandle, where he once lived for a short time.
After the speech, the panel asked questions and shared opinions with Davis. The evening ended with a tour of the 250th exhibit at the Pensacola Museum of History. With both permanent and temporary exhibits, this year’s temporary exhibit featured the roles East and West Florida played during the American Revolution. Davis was available afterward for a book signing and additional time with guests.
Doolittle Raid Artifacts Donated to NWFSC Museum
Northwest Florida State College hosted a special donation ceremony Oct. 20 honoring the legacy of the historic Doolittle Raid of World War II. The ceremony marked the addition of significant artifacts to the college’s Doolittle Raid WWII History Permanent Exhibit.
The ceremony took place at 2 p.m. at the Doolittle Museum in Raider Arena on the college’s Niceville campus.
State Rep. Patt Maney, Dewey Destin and Parker Destin contributed a mission-flown signal mirror and navigation equipment belonging to Lt. Col. Carl R. Wildner. The artifacts became part of the college’s permanent exhibit, offering a tangible connection to one of World War II’s most historic military missions.
The donation helps preserve the story and legacy of the Doolittle Raiders, ensuring future generations have an opportunity to learn about the courage, ingenuity and sacrifices associated with this significant chapter in American military history.
