Press Release
By Amelia Island Museum of History
11/4/25
Brown Bag Lunch
Robert Schuyler and the 19th-Century Carpenter Gothic churches of Florida
With Jonathan Rich
December 3, 2025, at Noon
In this Brown Bag Lunch, author Jonathan Rich shares the remarkable story behind his award-winning book Spires in the Sun: The Carpenter Gothic Episcopal Churches of Florida, recipient of the Florida Historical Society’s 2024 Charlton Tebeau Award for the most outstanding work in Florida history. Rich presents an illustrated talk on Florida’s distinctive Carpenter Gothic churches and the people who built them, weaving together stories of architecture, faith, and community. His lecture highlights Fernandina architect Robert Schuyler, designer of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and other historic landmarks, and explores how Bishop John Freeman Young’s vision shaped Florida’s Gothic Revival legacy.
***
Temporary Location for Fall Programs:
While The Maple Leaf exhibit is in the Lecture Hall through December 7, this program will take place at the Fernandina Beach Branch Library.
- Date: Wednesday, December 3
- Time: Noon (doors open at 11:30 AM)
- Location: Nassau County Public Library – Fernandina Beach Branch, 25 N. 4th Street
- Cost: Free
Seating is first-come, first-served. We recommend arriving early to secure downtown parking and a seat. This program is fully wheelchair accessible.
Can’t join in person? Watch live at: https://www.twitch.tv/ameliaislandmuseumhistory
For more information, contact Isabelle at [email protected] or call 904-261-7378 x102.
Farewell Celebration & Silent Auction
Join us on Sunday, December 7, from 1–4 p.m. at the Amelia Island Museum of History for a special community event celebrating the closing of two exhibits — The Maple Leaf: An American Civil War Shipwreck and its companion art exhibit.
Enjoy an afternoon of art, history, and live music by Sean McCarthy, Grammy Award–winning musician Tammy Rogers, and Thomm Jutz, performing selections from their new album inspired by Fernandina’s history.
The event will also feature the final hours of our silent auction, offering the chance to bid on two stunning original works by local artists featured in the companion art exhibit:
- David Jones’ Locker by Denise Murphy
- Mysteries of the Deep by Sandy Castiaux
All proceeds support the Amelia Island Museum of History.
***
- Date: Sunday, December 7
- Time: 1-4 PM
- Location: Amelia Island Museum of History, 233 S. 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach, FL
- Cost: Free
For more information, contact Isabelle at [email protected] or call 904-261-7378 x102.
3rd on 3rd / Exhibit Opening
Right Whales of Amelia Island
With Richard Timm and Scott Rowley
December 19, 2025, at 6 pm
The Amelia Island Museum of History will present Right Whales of Amelia Island, December 19, 2025 – April 5, 2026, a special exhibition created by the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors in collaboration with our partners and sponsors. The Amelia Island Museum of History is located at 233 S. 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.
Looking out from Amelia Island’s beaches, the warm coastal waters of SE Georgia and NE Florida host the only calving grounds for the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale. This exhibition explores their hunted history and fragile hope-filled future. Fewer than 400 remain, but if you are lucky, during November through April, one of those right whales and her calf will swim into your view.
The exhibit will open on December 19th as part of the museum’s “3rd on 3rd’ series with a special presentation by Richard Timm and Scott Rowley of the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors. The evening’s activities will begin at 6:00 p.m. Following the presentation, attendees will enjoy exclusive access to the exhibit along with complimentary appetizers and beverages. The suggested donation is $5 for members, and $10 for non-members. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. The program is wheelchair accessible.
A second presentation will be at the museum on February 20th, 6:00, again as part of the museum’s “3rd on 3rd” series. Nick Williams, Executive Biologist who leads Whale Guard Bioacoustics Research Inc. and serves as the Naturalist for The Ritz-Carlton, will share right whale–related research that he is currently involved with.
A third presentation will be on March 4th, 12:00 p.m., as part of the museum’s brown bag lunch series. Theresa Hartz of the Amelia Island Whale Ambassadors will provide an update on the 2026 calving season, the lessons learned, and insights about individual whales.
This exhibition is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and partners, especially our platinum level sponsors: Dan and Krissi Barr and Defenders of Wildlife; and gold level sponsors: Barry and Kim Evans, the Amelia Island Sunrise and Fernandina Beach Rotary Clubs, and Bill Horak – Wealth Management Corp. Our silver level sponsors are: Ken and Connie McDaniel, Scott and Phyllis Rowley, and VyStar Credit Union. Our bronze level sponsors are:Craig and Jane Louer, Tim and Teresa Poynter, Ken and Lisa Saitow, Eight Flags Chiropractic, Color It Green, and Conserve Nassau. We especially thank the Amelia Island Museum of History for giving us the opportunity to create this exhibit. We appreciate the collaboration of All American Designs LLC, Blue World Research Institute, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission, Marineland Right Whale Project, Museum of Florida History, New England Aquarium, Pam Bell Photography, and SMELTS.
To learn more, please access the museum’s website at https://ameliamuseum.org/ or contact Isabelle Bournigault at [email protected] or at (904) 261-7378 ext. 102
