Baker County Historical Society

11/11/2025

🇺🇸 Veterans Day • Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Today we honor all who served. Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, marking the end of World War I at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. Congress made it a national holiday in 1938, and in 1954 it was renamed Veterans Day to honor all U.S. veterans. 

Right here at home, Baker County is proud of our service members—over 1,500 veterans live in our county, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS 2023). 

Across our state, Florida supported approximately 81,955 active-duty military personnel in 2024. 

To every veteran and military family in our community: thank you. If you’d like us to recognize a veteran, share a name or photo in the comments so we can help preserve their story for future generations.

11/10/2025

Thank you to all the volunteers who make this beautiful tradition happen!

11/10/2025

📚 Genealogy Library Open This Saturday! 📚

Looking to explore your family roots or dive into Baker County’s rich history? The Genealogy Library at the Baker County Historical Society will be open this Saturday from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM!

Come browse our extensive local records, family files, photos, cemetery indexes, and rare historical collections. Our volunteers are happy to help you get started with your research or find that missing piece of your family puzzle.

📍 Baker County Historical Society
42 W. McIver Street, Macclenny, FL

Everyone is welcome — stop by and discover a story from your past!

11/10/2025

📜 November Members Meeting Announcement 📜

The Baker County Historical Society will hold its Members Meeting on Wednesday, November 13th at 7:00 PM at the Historical Society building.
Everyone is welcome to attend!

The Nominating Committee will present the slate of candidates running for office, and members will review and discuss several proposed bylaw changes, including:

🔹 Lowering the senior membership age from 65 to 62
🔹 Changing the number of votes per family from one to up to four (for members 18 and over)
🔹 Allowing the President to appoint a temporary replacement for an open board seat (with Board ratification)
🔹 Clarifying that the President is the official spokesperson for the Society
🔹 Granting the President authority to take necessary action on urgent matters between meetings (subject to later Board ratification)

Please see the meeting minutes for full wording of each proposal.

🗳 Important Voting Update:
Ballots will not be mailed this year. Voting will take place electronically, so be sure to check your email on November 20 for your ballot link!

Join us as we prepare for an exciting year ahead and continue preserving Baker County’s rich history together.

11/09/2025

🪦 Cemetery Committee Update 🪦
The Cemetery Committee recently completed their first field visit to Crews Cemetery in Baxter. Members heard the story of how the cemetery began and learned about many of the families who rest there — a fascinating glimpse into our county’s early history.

Next, the committee will visit the Magnolia/Carl Brown Cemetery, with plans to meet one of the trustees and continue documenting these important sites.

The group has already gathered a wealth of information, and their next goal is entering and organizing those records to plan future projects.

🗓 Next Meeting:
📍 Baker County Historical Society (42 W. McIver St., Macclenny)
📅 Saturday, November 15
🕙 10:00 AM

This will be a planning meeting focused on setting priorities for 2026. Anyone interested in local history, genealogy, or preservation is welcome to attend!

11/08/2025

The Baker County Historical Society would like to wish the Wildcat Pride Marching Band the best of luck as they head down to State Competition today! Your hard work, dedication, and spirit make our community proud.
A special shoutout to our very own President, Justin Burnham, who has served as Assistant Director of Bands for the past 15 years — thank you for your continued passion and leadership!
Go Wildcats! ❤️🤍🖤

11/03/2025

Check this out! Calling all local artists! Here’s a chance to show off some artwork!

CALL FOR ARTISTS
Florida’s History Shop, the retail store for the Museum of Florida History, is seeking proposals from Florida-based artists to sell their Florida-themed artwork in the store. Florida’s History Shop has locations in the Florida Historic Capitol Museum and The Capitol. 🔗More information here: https://dos.fl.gov/communications/press-releases/2025/call-for-artists-florida-s-history-shop-seeks-florida-based-artists-as-consignees/

11/03/2025

✨ Fall Ball 2025 ✨
Mark your calendars — it’s almost time to dance the night away! 💃🕺

Join us Saturday, November 15th from 7–11 PM at the Baker County Fairgrounds for this year’s Fall Ball!

🎟️ Tickets: $20
📅 Last Day to Purchase: November 7th
📍 Where to Buy: BCHS students can purchase tickets from Mrs. Staples in the library
✍️ Important: A signed permission form is required to buy a ticket

Don’t wait until the last minute — grab your friends, pick your outfit, and get ready for a night to remember! 🍂✨

10/29/2025

Last day to purchase Fall Ball tickets is November 7th!! BCHS students can purchase from Mrs. Staples in the library! We will also be at the Old Jail this week from 3:30-6 for purchasing!

10/28/2025

⚡ BLACKOUT at the Old Jail ⚡

The power’s out… but something’s still inside.

Step inside Baker County’s most chilling haunt — the Haunted Jail, if you dare.

🕖 Dates: October 28, 29, 30, & 31
⏰ Time: Opens at 7 PM nightly
💀 Admission: $5 per person — cash or card accepted
📍 Location: 42 W. McIver St., Macclenny, FL
🏚️ Hosted by the BCHS History Club

Darkness falls, the air grows cold, and every creak of the old jail tells a story…

Will you make it out before the lights come back on? 🔦

10/25/2025

🍂 Fall Ball Ticket Sales Are Here! 🍁
Get ready to dance the night away at the Baker County Fall Ball! 💃🕺

🎟 Ticket Sale Times:
📅 Monday, Oct. 27 — 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
📅 Tuesday, Oct. 28 – Friday, Oct. 31 — 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM

📍Tickets will be available at the Baker County Historical Society, 42 W McIver St, Macclenny, Fl.

Open to all BCHS and Baker County homeschool students!
✅ You must have a signed permission slip to purchase a ticket. Tickets are $20.

Spread the word, grab your friends, and get ready for a night to remember! 🌾✨