A free and interesting local “Americana” museum in downtown Stuart is open every day from 10:00 to 3:00. This museum will entertain you with artifacts, displays and pictures of the local Martin County area. Eighty percent of the museum is artifacts, numbering over 10,000, are from local residents who have donated freely to this museum.

Operated by volunteers of the Stuart Heritage Organization, this museum will give you a good idea what has passed in the area for the last hundred years. There is a potpourri of many different themes starting with the early Seminole Indians, Henry Flagler’s railroad and a large section is given to Stuart High School which was a focal point of the community for a very long time.

The structure was built in 1901 by George W. Parks and sold general merchandise. In the 1940’s the business became known as Stuart Feed Supply. The building was purchased by the City of Stuart in the 1980’s.

We particularly enjoyed seeing various sewing machines and my wife could relate to the old fashion “ice box.”

The famous actress Francis Langford is honored at the museum as she lived in the area.

A local writer, Ernest Lyons, is recognized for his work as an editor for the local newspaper and his several books that he wrote. Lyons books are filled with vignettes of what life was like in Martin County in the early and mid 1900’s. It is a good read.

For a first time visitor to the area, this museum will give a unique perspective of the community that once was. For a “cracker,” like myself, this museum brings back home style nostalgia of how things were.

Kudos to the volunteers and the people involved in preserving this piece of local history. Don’t forget to take a walk along the river’s boardwalk which is directly behind the museum where extra parking is located.

Just imagine that the St. Lucie was once “blue,” something that may never happen again.