Monthly Archives: November 2010

BAGDAD – The Bagdad Village Preservation Association will present the annual Blackwater Heritage Tour, on December 4th from noon until 6:00pm.

With the theme “A Bagdad Christmas, December 1860,” this years’ tour remembers the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and will bring history alive. The tour begins with registration at either end of Forsyth Street and features historic homes and a church beautifully decorated for the season. The event is a leisurely walking tour and guests will be greeted by amateur historians, in period costumes, ready to take them on a journey through the village’s history.

Featured this year:

The Pooley House (circa 1890) an excellent example of a 19th century Creole cottage which represents the Eastern rim of the French Creole culture stemming from Louisiana.

The newly restored Dunlap House (circa 1920), an excellent example of the original shotgun houses that were built for mill employees.

An authentic 1860’s militia encampment, with Civil War-era cooking and night cannon fire.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 children 10 and under. Advanced tickets are available at the Bagdad Village Museum, the Copper Possum, Bagdad Village Homes and Land, and at the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce. The tickets include entrance to all tour venues, Civil War encampment and live music. Homemade soup and other food items will be available for purchase.

For more information, contact Mike Johnson at 850-293-5349 or Robyn Baker at 850-554-4669 or visit the association’s web site at www.bagdadvillage.org .

BAGDAD – The 170th Anniversary Lecture Series, sponsored by the Bagdad Village Preservation Association, continues with Major James M. “Mickey” McNair (Retired), who will speak on the topic of “Our Indian Heritage in Santa Rosa County,” a recounting of the larger history of Native Americans throughout our country and especially that of Santa Rosa County and Northwest Florida. Accompanying Major McNair will be members of the Santa Rosa Creek Indian Tribe, dressed in traditional attire, who will share some of their heritage.

The presentation will be held November 6th, 10:00 a.m. at the Bagdad Village Museum, 4512 Church Street, Bagdad, with refreshments following. There is no cost and all are welcome. For more on the lecture series or the Bagdad Village Preservation Association, visit the association’s web site at www.bagdadvillage.org.

BAGDAD – The 170th Anniversary Lecture Series continues with Dr. Brian Rucker of the Pensacola State College History Department, who will recount “Life in the Piney Woods,” of early settlers in Northwest Florida. Our portion of Florida, incorporated a large area originally known as “Blackwater” and had a rich culture of churches, schools, fraternal organizations, and families. The work of maintaining the family and earning a living at farming and lumbering, among other tasks, will be examined in depth, as well as the leisure time activities of the people. Dr. Rucker is a noted scholar in his field, having published extensively on life in Florida and nearby areas. A brief General Meeting, to include the election of 2011-2012 BVPA officers, will precede the lecture.

All are also invited to join us following the lecture for a soup and salad lunch under the beautiful Bagdad oak trees following the lecture. For $5.00 you will enjoy soup, salad, dessert and beverage.

The presentation will be held October 2nd, 10:00 a.m. followed by lunch at 11:00 a.m. at the Bagdad Village Museum, 4512 Church Street, Bagdad. There is no cost for the lecture and all are welcome. For more on the lecture series or the Bagdad Village Preservation Association, visit the association’s web site at www.bagdadvillage.org.