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The New Smyrna Museum of History, part of the SEVHS, is located at 120 Sams Avenue in the historic district of New Smyrna Beach.

The focal point of the museum is an exhibit devoted to the founders of New Smyrna, an intrepid group of indentured Mediterranean colonists, under the leadership of Scottish physician and diplomat, Andrew Turnbull.

In addition to the New Smyrna Settlement Exhibit, there is a perimeter gallery which gives chronological overview of area history, starting with pre-historic Florida and continuing through eleven distinct periods

Upstairs at the museum is a special exhibit of early St John's pottery, projectile points, and other artifacts collected by the late Zelia Wilson Sweett, a noted local historian .

The Sheldon Research Library contains documents, books, periodicals, maps and photographs relating to the history of New Smyrna Beach. The Library is open on Thursdays from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm and by appointment.

FREE ADMISION

Hours

Museum galleries and store

Tuesday-Saturday - 10 am-4 pm

Sheldon Research Library

Thursdays - 10 am -4 pm & by apt.

(386)478-0052

120 Sams Avenue

New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32168

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Preserving, Interpreting, and Promoting History in Southeast Volusia.

Dr.Turnbull organized the largest attempt at British colonization in the New World by founding New Smyrna, Florida, named in honor of his wife's birthplace. New Smyrna, Florida Colony, founded in 1768, encompassed some 101,400 acres.

We are Preserving our History & Heritage

Historical Museum & Library

" Night at the Museum"

fundraiser raised over $6,000.00

The New Smyrna Beach Historical Museum raised approximately $6,000.00 during “History and All That Jazz” on Friday, November 4, 2011 when more than 200 attendees enjoyed an evening, going back in time.

-SoNapa Wine Country sponsor – donated a variety of wines and server for the evening.

-Dr. Cyndi Fraser, saxophonist and soloist, donated her time and talent and was a hit, entertaining with the most popular songs from the jazz era, prompting attendees to break into toe tapping and dance.

Attired in jazz-era Zoot-Suit, John Peel, President of Southeast Volusia Historical Society was thrilled with the success of the event and stated, “We are so grateful to the businesses and individuals whose support made the success of this event possible. History and All That Jazz also provided an opportunity to spot-light our museum and the outstanding job our volunteers do on a daily basis, documenting and preserving the history of our area.”

Located at 120 Sams Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, admission to the New Smyrna Beach Museum of History is free. Operating hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00am to 4:00pm manned by friendly volunteers who are anxious to share the history of our area with visitors.The museum is funded by membership dues, donations, grants and fundraisers such as the Night at the Museum. In the Spring the members will hold the ever-popular Pancakes in the Park. Membership dues begin at $25.00 for an individual. For more information, call 386-478-0052.

Membership Meetings

Oct 20 - " Sea Turtles" Nancy Malmberg

Nov 17 - "Time Travel" - Dr. Roger Grange

Dec 15 -"Harmony Sound Waves" -Bert Fish Choir

Jan 19 -"Sweet Cane" -Dr. Lucy Wayne

Feb 16 -'Windover Pond' - Dr. Rachel Wentz

Membership meetings are held at the museum beginning at 6.30 pm. All members of the historical society are invited and encouraged to attend the meetings. Please feel free to bring guests to the meetings as they are open to the public. The museum is looking for more volunteers to help assist visitors during the day or with administrative and fundraising activities.

If you feel you can help out ,

Please call Virginia Schow 386.427.0527

Southeast Volusia

Historical Society, Inc.

Interactive programs and resources

make history come alive!

Civil War

Artifacts

The area was settled in 1768, when Scottish physician Dr. Andrew Turnbull established the colony of "New Smyrna." The colony occupies a notable place in history by being the single largest attempt by a member of the British Crown at colonization in the New World.

Turnbull transplanted around 1500 settlers, from Minorca, Majorca, Ibiza, Smyrna, Crete, Mani Peninsula, and Sicily, to grow hemp, sugarcane, indigo, and to produce rum.

The colony suffered major losses due to insect-borne diseases and Native American raids; and tensions grew due to mistreatment by Turnbull. Due to these complications, the remaining colonists marched north to St. Augustine along the Old King's Highway, to claim mistreatment by Turnbull to the Governor of Florida in St. Augustine in 1777; then a British protectorate. Soon after, St. Augustine was returned to the Spanish, and Turnbull abandoned his colony for life in Charleston, South Carolina.

Dr. Andrew Turnbull and the New Smyrna Colony of Florida

The St. Photios National Shrine on St. George Street in St. Augustine, Florida, honors the settlers of New Smyrna, who were the first Greek Orthodox followers in North America. The historical exhibit adjoining the Chapel tells the moving story of their plight in great detail, with accompanying exhibits.

The area was then only sparsely populated due to the frequent raids by Seminole Indians. During the American Civil War in the 1860s the still-standing "Stone Wharf" was shelled by Union gunboats. In 1887, the Town of New Smyrna was incorporated with a population of 150. In 1892, the arrival of Henry Flagler's Florida East Coast Railway lead to an increase in the area's population and a boom in its economy, which was based on tourism, citrus, and commercial fishing industries.

During Prohibition in the 1920s the city and its river islands were popular sites for moonshine stills and hideouts for rumrunners coming in from the Bahamas through Mosquito Inlet, now Ponce de León Inlet. "New Smyrna" became "New Smyrna Beach" in 1947, when the city annexed the seaside community of Coronado Beach. Today, it is a bustling resort town of over 20,000 permanent residents, with over 1,000,000 visitors annually.

Like its Spanish partner to the north, St. Augustine, New Smyrna has stood under four flags: first the British, then the Spanish, then the American flag in 1845, followed by the Confederate Jack, and finally replaced the Stars and Stripes again.

Visit us today, learn the History of New Smyrna Beach

Museum Galleries and Store Hours Tuesday-Saturday - 10 am-4 pm