Manatee historic preservation museum kicks off reopening with new exhibit, activities
The Reflection of Manatee historic preservation group plans to kick off its reopening with a day packed full of family-friendly events.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to shut down for nearly two years, but their doors will reopen to the public for the first time since March 2020, providing educational opportunities and a chance to head back home with unique heirlooms.
From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Reflections of Manatee, 1302 Fourth Ave. E., Bradenton, will host a silent auction of antiques and other collector’s items. Due to space constraints, there are several historic gems up for grabs.
“We have an eclectic collection of antiques – American brilliant cut glass, French crystal, Christmas plates. It’s a random assortment of stuff, but we can’t keep it forever,” said Jean Lammie, the organization’s executive director.
Lammie explained that the items, which date back as far as the 1870s, were previously donated. The group is auctioning the items to make way for new items and support keeping their buildings open to the public.
“The money we raise goes toward conservation and preservation of collections and buildings because that is our overall goal,” Lammie said, referring to the trio of preserved 19th- and 20th-century homes that serve as Reflections of Manatee’s museums. “We don’t have a site unless these buildings are safe and sound.”
Reflections of Manatee has previewed several items on its Facebook page, such as a Wexford crystal punch bowl, Norman Rockwell collector’s plates and other rare finds.
In addition to the auction, Reflections of Manatee will make its museum available for tours that highlight the Bradenton area’s history. It will be the first opportunity for members of the public to see the findings of the recent Angola excavation for themselves.
Ahead of the city of Bradenton’s construction to extend the Riverwalk Park along the Manatee River, Reflections of Manatee partnered with New College to dig up artifacts from a 19th-century community of settlers who escaped slavery and called the area home.
Researchers dug up several pieces of history that provided a peek into what Angolan life was like at the time. Those findings, which include tobacco pipes, animal bones and household ceramics, will be on display in an exhibit that recreates the depth of how they were discovered underground, just a few dozen yards away from the historic buildings.
“It’s our first real big understanding of the personal belongings of the Angola community,” said Lammie.
Starting in December, Reflections of Manatee will be open to the public every Friday, as well as the first and third Saturday of each month. For more information, visit www.ReflectionsOfManatee.org.
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