As early as 1840, Bagdad was a thriving port, producing and shipping more yellow pine lumber than any port in the world. By 1900, Bagdad Village had become one of the most industrialized areas in the State of Florida. Life in Bagdad centered around the saw mill and logging industries pioneered by Joseph Forsyth and partners. The daily thumps, clanks, and whine of the mills continued for over 111 years until the Depression and depletion of natural resources silenced them forever in 1939. The Village of Bagdad is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Join the Bagdad Village Preservation Association on Saturday, May 30, for its Spring Market Day celebration from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the Community Center, Pooley and School Streets, in Bagdad. There will be:

• Arts & Crafts Vendors
• Fish Fry
• Cake Walk
• Homemade Ice Cream
• Children’s Activities
• Bagdad Fire Department Demonstration

Among the items for sale will be: Pen and Ink Drawings, Candles, Collectibles, Jewelry, Wind Chimes, Honey, Farm Implements, Crochet Towels, Aprons, Personalized Books, Children’s Music, Kites, Metal Sculptures, Homemade Salsa, Antiques, Red Hats, Lighted Glass Bottles, Turned Wood Items, and Watercolor Paintings.

Those in the know suggest you bring a lawn chair and simply enjoy the day. That sounds like a great prelude to summer!

Call 850-983-3005 or 850-293-5349 for more information or visit www.BagdadVillage.org.

Mission San Luis will host a Military Muster Saturday, May 9, from 10 A.M. until 4 P.M. The event is free and open to the public. Attend the event to see colorful pageantry, experience musket and cannon firing, and learn about the world of Spanish soldiers and Apalachee warriors. Hands-on activities for children will include military drills and “make & take” colonial crafts.

The Castillo de San Luis will welcome the St. Augustine Garrison Company of the Florida Historic Militia and the living history volunteers from the Castillo de San Marcos National Monument.

SCHEDULE
10 A.M. ~ Military parade around the plaza
10-1 ~ Book signing by Dr. John Hann
10:30 ~ Cannon & musket firings
1-2 P.M. ~ Presentation of Paso Fino horses
2:30 ~ Military procession to the church for
the blessing of Our Lady of the Rosary banner
3:30 ~ Cannon and musket firings

2020 Mission Road ~ Tallahassee ~ 850-487-3711
www.missionsanluis.org

Panhandle Pioneer Settlement will host its eighth annual quilt show, “Everlasting Stitches”, this Saturday, May 2, from 9:00 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. CDT. There is a $3.00 admission charge.

The great thing about this quilt show is that everyone can have their quilts displayed during the show. Bring your quilts — old, new, large, small, hand-stitched, or machine-made — to the Frink Gym at the Panhandle Pioneer Settlement between 1:00 and 4:00 P.M. on Friday, and you can pick them up at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday. For more information, contact Susan Warren at 850-643-8806 or write to info@ppmuseum.org.

Panhandle Pioneer Settlement is a living museum documenting rural life in Northwest Florida since the early 1800s. It is located in Sam Atkins Park, about 1 mile west of the intersection of Hwy 71 and Hwy 20. Follow Hwy 20 west out of Blountstown and look for the signs for Sam Atkins Park. Turn north at Lindy’s Fried Chicken (Silas Green Street) and follow the signs.

For more information, contact the Settlement at 850-674-2777 or go to www.ppmuseum.org.

Panhandle Pioneer Settlement will be having its annual Folk Life Days April 16th, 17th & 18th.

There will be demonstrations relating to homelife, including biscuit-making, soap-making, quilting, knitting, crocheting, and washing clothes. Other features relating to life on the farm include beekeeping, blacksmithing, woodcarving, making crackling, churning butter, and using a saw mill. There will be hayrides and music throughout the day. All cabins will be open and manned by volunteers. Admission is $3. For additional information and/or directions, call 850-674-2777 or visit www.ppmuseum.org.

The official dedication of the Cape St. George Light in St. George Lighthouse Park at mid-island begins on Saturday, April 4, at 10 A.M. The ceremony will be followed by free climbing at the lighthouse, and a fundraiser including a chicken barbeque, music, and a silent auction. The idea is to “dedicate” in the morning, and “Party” in the afternoon.

Welcome to the Panhandle Historic Preservation Alliance (PHPA) Events blog. We hope you will visit here often to get information about history-related events in the Florida Panhandle.

Membership is free and open to individuals and organizations who are actively engaged in the collection, preservation, and restoration of historic property and memorabilia in the Florida Panhandle.