Museum looks to the future:
  
Annual Meeting – October 2nd – Grace Manor
 
   

These are exciting times at the Suwannee County Historical Museum! As of August 29, the museum has been in the Atlantic Coastline Freight Depot for fifteen years. Through those years the museum has grown into an institution that brings pride to the community.

During a recent meeting of the executive committee, the annual meeting of the Suwannee County

   
 
    Museum Association was discussed. This meeting will be held on Thursday, October 2 at Grace Manor Restaurant and Community Center. A large part of the discussion included the idea of having such a meeting outside of the museum.

Such an idea is not a new one. Museum associations across the country have their annual meetings of members and guests in facilities other than their own. Such an idea provides the museum with an opportunity to go out into the community in an effort to gain additional community support and participation.

Through this annual meeting of the Suwannee County Historical Museum Association, an opportunity will be provided to share reports and accomplishments of this past year. The annual election of officers and recommendations for museum trustees also takes place. There will be opportunities to promote coming events and programs, as well as a fun opportunity to gain input from those in attendance about potential events, programs and practices of the museum. As a special feature to this meeting, we have asked Fred & Flora Andrews to share some historical anecdotes and stories about the history of the Thomas Dowling Family, the Dowling House, and living in this stately home.

As with all meetings of the museum association, this meeting is open to the public. The meeting will begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday, October 2nd. Complementary refreshments will be served. Guests may also order from the menu at their own expense.

   
 
    
Photos and information on this page taken from the Suwannee Freight Line 
A Publication of the Suwannee County Historical Museum Association
    
             


 
  Thomas Dowling was one of Live Oak’s most prominent citizens in its early development. Mr. Dowling developed the Live Oak, Perry and Gulf Railroad to serve his sawmill and later freight and passenger traffic. He donated a large tract of land for the building of an orphanage and a home for ‘old worn-out ministers and missionaries’. This is now known as Advent Christian Village in Dowling Park.

Thomas Dowling also began Live Oak’s first waterworks, purely from his own resources. The original 75,000 gallon tank constructed in 1897 is believed to be the oldest water tank in the nation still in use.

Mr. Dowling’s primary home in Live Oak still stands today. According to best records available, the house was built in 1896 by workers from his lumber company. The wrap-around porch with its two story columns was added soon after the original construction, giving the house its neo-classical features which distinguish it still today. Known now as Grace Manor Restaurant to people in Live Oak, Florida and the surrounding areas. A restaurant where you will experience southern dining at its finest!