Leesburg Heritage Society. INC.

Please be sure to
visit us on Facebook

We are saddened to announce the loss of two of our "Life Members"
Arthur Louis Burke, Sr.
&
Annie “Gerry ” Lee Parker

In Memoriam

Arthur Louis Burke, Sr.

Arthur Louis Burke, Sr, Captain, USAR-TC, Retired CPA, Rotarian, World Traveler, Kentucky Colonel, Mason and Shriner, passed away peacefully at Cornerstone Hospice House in Tavares Florida, on May 23rd, 2019. Art was born in Fountain, Florida on August 28, 1918, in a railroad boxcar where his parents worked at a Pole Camp. His wife of 49 years, Suzanne Unkle Burke, and his daughter Annette Mindek preceded him in death. He is survived by his sister, Carolyn Betts of Sanford, FL, son Arthur L Burke, Jr. (Marsha) of Leesburg, FL, daughter Shirley Burke White (Butch), of Lady Lake, FL, daughter Barbara Marlin (George) of Richmond, TX, and son Bill Burke (Mary) of Suwanee, GA, fourteen Grandchildren and a multitude of Great and Great-Great Grandchildren. Arthur was proud to be a third generation Floridian. At the age of 23 he was drafted by the US ARMY and served stateside during World War II, and later in Korea. He enjoyed his 12 years of military service achieving the rank of Captain. With his wife, Suzie’s encouragement, Arthur left the military and enrolled at the University of Florida in 1954, where he obtained his Bachelors’ Degree with a double major in Industrial Management and Accounting in 1958. He was a proud Florida Gator and faithfully wore his class ring. Following graduation from college, he began his accounting career, eventually starting his own business. It was a lead role in a Melon Patch play, Blythe Spirit, in 1971, that gave him the confidence to prepare for the Certified Public Accountant designation, which he earned on his birthday in 1972, at the age of 54. Arthur served clients well into his 90s. It kept him sharp and occupied after he lost his wife Suzanne in 2001. He had many friends and said that the hardest part of growing old was losing them. He loved the attention that came with being a centenarian. Arthur was generous to his family and was known for welcoming any relative into his circle. The family is grateful to the caregivers at Vista Lake Assisted Living Facility where he resided for the past 22 months. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Cornerstone Hospice (cshospice.org), Wreaths Across America (wreathsacrossamerica.org), or the charity of your choice. A Military and Masonic service will be held on June 24th at 10:00 at the Veteran’s Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida with a reception to follow at Morrison United Methodist Church, in Leesburg, at noon. Online Condolences may be left at www.beyersfuneralhome.com Arrangements entrusted to Beyers Funeral Home and Crematory, Leesburg, FL.

Annie “Gerry ” Lee Parker

Annie “Gerry ” Lee Parker, age 92, of Fruitland Park passed away Monday July 1, 2019 in Tavares. She was born September 19, 1926 in Fruitland Park. She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Robert E. Parker. She is survived by a daughter, Sharon Smith-White and her husband Don White, Sons, Charles E. Parker and wife Sherry, and Robert W. Parker and his wife Carol Wheeler. She is also survived by 5 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Page-Theus Funeral Home Chapel, Leesburg...

NOTICE FOR FINAL MEETING 2018-2019
The Leesburg Heritage Society will meet on
Tuesday, May 7th, at 3:30 at the the Leesburg Public Library, East Main Street.
Our program will be by Sandy Stokes,
who will tell about his family and their long history in Leesburg.

This is the final meeting of 2018-2019.
Our next meeting will be October 1st, 2019.

The new Officers & Board members are installed
May 9, 2019

DIRECT LINK TO LIST OF OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS

FUNDRAISING FOR THE MOTE-MORRIS HOUSE CONTINUES

Glorianne Fahs & Vi Pfahler Host the table at fish fry 4 Apr 2019
Funds go to the "HELP THE HOUSE" fund c/o "The Leesburg Partnership"

Please help us raise funds toward the Mote-Morris House Restoration Project

Technically, Mote-Morris House is being rebuilt, not restored. The insurance should pay the costs of the structure, and possibly window hangings and some other replacements. The interior will be refurbished, not restored. After much indecision, we decided to collect replacement furniture, with minimal restoration of many of the original furnishings, which in most cases were replicas. Our 1880's piano and Lee sideboard were salvageable.

We need a china cabinet for the dining room, and other dining room furniture.

For additional speaker & presentation information
please click on the Webmaster's Corner

BRAND NEW PRESENTATION
by EMMETT B PETER III

For your convenience, the March 19, 2019 Newsletter, is now published
to view the newsletter, PLEASE CLICK HERE

Our website is frequently updated with new information about exhibits and events, etc.
We invite you to visit our site often and to add your comments on the "Contact Us" page

The Leesburg Historical Museum is open:
Tuesday thru Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Leesburg
Historical Museum
is conveniently located in the historic Woman’s Club Building, at 111 S. Sixth Street (between Main St. & Magnolia St.), which was used for many years later by Lassiter-Ware Insurance. The museum faces the Life Stream Building which is the tallest building in Leesburg.

 The museum has an interesting history all its own. It has been home to the Leesburg Library, the Leesburg Chamber of Commerce, several civic clubs, the Leesburg High School Prom and the Poinsettia Ball. The museum is crammed with artifacts and items that help tell the story about Leesburg – from the days that citrus was king and the popular Watermelon Festival was a highlight for kids and adults alike, to the Leesburg Centennial in 1957 and gathering places such as the Magnolia Hotel and the Lake View Hotel.

A short history of the GFWC Woman's Club of Leesburg:

October 20,1909. Formed with eighteen ladies to organize club
October 9, 1922. New 2 story clubhouse completed, grand reception held in December
March 14, 1946. Clubhouse sold to Paul Lassiter; two lots purchased on Ninth Street. October 10,1949. 40th anniversary/meeting at new clubhouse.

March 2018. Sold building to Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church. Allowed to hold meetings there for three years. The Club donated several artifacts to Leesburg Heritage Museum for display.

Several artifacts may be seen in a dedicated showcase, including a handsome silver tea service.
(please see our "Highlighted Exhibits" page) DIRECT LINK HERE

Leesburg home built 1877 Recent Acquisition

We have recently added some new acquisitions to our museum. here is a direct link to our
"Highlighted Exhibits"

DIRECT LINK TO "HIGHLIGHTED EXHIBITS"

Exhibits & Displays

Be sure to visit the full
exhibits & displays page.
New items are frequently added so visit our website often.
Perhaps you would like to donate an item for exhibition.
If so, you may call us directly at (352.315.1800), or
use our contact page

DIRECT LINK TO EXHIBITS & DISPLAYS PAGE

Please help us raise funds toward the Mote-Morris House Restoration Project
Raffle tickets are available at the museum
For more information please call: 352.315.1800

DIRECT LINKS TO OTHER LOCAL HISTORIC SITES

Welcome
We welcome a new link between us
(The Leesburg Heritage Society & Historical Museum)
& the "Virgil Hawkins Historical Society Inc"
Please be sure to click on the link and visit their site.