2020NSB-11155-Arts&CultureeBook2020-1B

New Smyrna Beach
History
New Smyrna Beach occupies a notable place in history as the second oldest city in Florida, the site of
the largest single attempt at British colonization in the New World.
First settled by Europeans in 1768, Dr. Andrew Turnbull, a Scottish physician, brought 1,400 indentured
servants from Greece and Italy to East Florida. He established the colony of New Smyrna, named after
the hometown of his wife. The majority of the colonists came from Menorca, one of the Mediterranean
Balearic Islands of Spain, and were of Catalan culture and language. Although the colony produced
relatively large amounts of processed indigo in its first few years of operation, it eventually collapsed
after suffering major losses due to insect-borne diseases and Indian raids, and growing tensions caused
by mistreatment of the colonists under Turnbull’s overseers. About 600 survivors marched nearly 70
miles north on Old King’s Road and relocated to St. Augustine, where they settled by 1777. Descendants
today can trace their names to the list on the statue of Father Pedro Campos that stands in the courtyard
of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine. New Smyrna has been under the rule of four “flags”: the
British, Spanish, United States, and the Confederate Jack.
Museums
Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum
314 N. Duss Street
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
386.478.1934
blackheritagemuseum.org
Monday – Friday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
The Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum, formerly known as
the Black Heritage Festival / Museum of New Smyrna Beach,
Inc., is one of a few of its kind in the State of Florida. It is
housed in the 19th century restored old Sacred Heart / St. Rita
building, built in 1899. The structure was once a place of worship
for a congregation of Black Roman Catholics. The Centennial
Celebration was held December 11, 1999, marking 100 years of
the building’s existence and the official opening of the museum.
A permanent exhibit, the Heritage House, also known as the
“shotgun house,” was later added and located just across the
street from the museum, with period furniture and accessories.
The museum is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing awareness and appreciation for African
American culture and history. Emphasizing the contributions of its people, the museum preserves and
displays a collection of photos, oral histories, memorabilia and artifacts to educate citizens about the
history of race relations in small-town Florida over the course of the twentieth century. The photos
and oral histories speak of the hardships and triumphs of this African American community from the
early 1900s to the present. This museum is the cornerstone of the historic West Side community in
New Smyrna Beach, Florida and resides in the old Sacred Heart/St. Rita church building constructed
in 1899. The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. Admission is free, yet
donations are appreciated.
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