Mandarin Historical Society Newsline - April
The Maple Leaf - 150th Anniversary Exhibit
Did you know that Mandarin has the only designated National Historic Landmark in Duval County? Indeed, it does. The shipwreck site of the Union troop transport Maple Leaf, located under five feet of mud in the St. Johns at Mandarin Point, holds that special distinction!
On April 1, 1864, this beautiful ship was steaming back to Jacksonville after dropping off a cavalry unit with “87 horses, 20 bales of hay and 20 bags of oats” in Palatka. The U. S. Government Pilot that night was a freed black man named Romeo Murray. His job was to navigate the St. Johns River, but there was no way he or anyone else would be able to see the twelve Confederate “torpedoes” that had been set out just below the surface of the water between Mandarin and Clay County. At 4 a.m. the Maple Leaf struck one of these hidden mines and an explosion occurred. The ship’s whistle blared, four crewmen died and she sank in minutes. Fifty eight passengers and crew made way to Jacksonville in lifeboats to report the loss of the men, the ship and the camp equipage and personal baggage of three Union regiments.
Fast forward to 2014 – the 150th anniversary of this historic event. The Maple Leaf wreck, discovered by Dr. Keith Holland, still lies beneath the mud of the St. Johns. But, some of this time capsule of Civil War cultural material has been revealed through over ten years of work by Dr. Holland and his team of divers. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the ship was located, surveyed and about 3000 items were recovered by the St. Johns Archaeological Expeditions Inc. These items are held in the State of Florida Archives.
During this anniversary year the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society will celebrate the Maple Leaf, her men and the team that brought her stories to life for all of us. April 4 & 5 marks the Grand Opening of a totally new Maple Leaf exhibit which will feature expanded information and rarely seen artifacts. And, you will be able to hear the actual recorded tape of the chief diver as he felt the ship’s structure in the dark waters for the first time.
Dr. Holland will be present these two days to talk with visitors. All historic buildings in Walter Jones Historical Park will be open, Civil War re-enactors will be on site and period music will be played by local musicians throughout the day. Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful park while learning about some pretty fascinating and significant history – right here in Mandarin.
Mandarin Museum at Walter Jones Historical Park, 11964 Mandarin Rd.
Friday, April 4 from Noon – 7pm
Saturday, April 5 from 9am – 5pm
This special exhibit will remain on display at Mandarin Museum through December 27 during museum hours.
For more information, to check museum hours or to volunteer at the museum, please view the website at mandarinmuseum.net, call 268-0784 or email mandarinmuseum@bellsouth.net.
On April 1, 1864, this beautiful ship was steaming back to Jacksonville after dropping off a cavalry unit with “87 horses, 20 bales of hay and 20 bags of oats” in Palatka. The U. S. Government Pilot that night was a freed black man named Romeo Murray. His job was to navigate the St. Johns River, but there was no way he or anyone else would be able to see the twelve Confederate “torpedoes” that had been set out just below the surface of the water between Mandarin and Clay County. At 4 a.m. the Maple Leaf struck one of these hidden mines and an explosion occurred. The ship’s whistle blared, four crewmen died and she sank in minutes. Fifty eight passengers and crew made way to Jacksonville in lifeboats to report the loss of the men, the ship and the camp equipage and personal baggage of three Union regiments.
Fast forward to 2014 – the 150th anniversary of this historic event. The Maple Leaf wreck, discovered by Dr. Keith Holland, still lies beneath the mud of the St. Johns. But, some of this time capsule of Civil War cultural material has been revealed through over ten years of work by Dr. Holland and his team of divers. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, the ship was located, surveyed and about 3000 items were recovered by the St. Johns Archaeological Expeditions Inc. These items are held in the State of Florida Archives.
During this anniversary year the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society will celebrate the Maple Leaf, her men and the team that brought her stories to life for all of us. April 4 & 5 marks the Grand Opening of a totally new Maple Leaf exhibit which will feature expanded information and rarely seen artifacts. And, you will be able to hear the actual recorded tape of the chief diver as he felt the ship’s structure in the dark waters for the first time.
Dr. Holland will be present these two days to talk with visitors. All historic buildings in Walter Jones Historical Park will be open, Civil War re-enactors will be on site and period music will be played by local musicians throughout the day. Bring a picnic and enjoy the beautiful park while learning about some pretty fascinating and significant history – right here in Mandarin.
Mandarin Museum at Walter Jones Historical Park, 11964 Mandarin Rd.
Friday, April 4 from Noon – 7pm
Saturday, April 5 from 9am – 5pm
This special exhibit will remain on display at Mandarin Museum through December 27 during museum hours.
For more information, to check museum hours or to volunteer at the museum, please view the website at mandarinmuseum.net, call 268-0784 or email mandarinmuseum@bellsouth.net.