“In the 1830s famous botanist Henry Perrine moved to Indian Key to create an experimental tropical plant station, bringing with him exotic and tropical seeds and plants from Mexico such as agave, arrowroot, cashew nuts, coffee arabica, flax, grass rope, sisal hemp, mango, strawberry prickly pear, tamarind and turmeric.
Several of these species still exist on the island today.”
— Megan Scallan, “Guest Expert on the Keys,” Distraction Magazine (September 16, 2022)
GUEST EXPERT ON THE KEYS – Distraction Magazine
“We are all part of the story, what we are doing today just as much as we have done during the decades. And these are the stories we need to share — they matter,” said Megan Scallan, Florida Keys History & Discovery Center’s curator and historian.”
— Melinda Van Fleet, “Keys History & Discovery Center Harvests Community Memories,” Keys Weekly (July 8, 2022)
https://keysweekly.com/42/keys-history-discovery-center-harvests-community-memories/
“A summer internship program hosted by the Florida Keys History & Discovery Foundation to catalog and digitalize local artifacts is well underway and will soon be offered through the museum’s website.”
— Thersea Java, “UPLIFTING UPLOAD: History Center’s Interns Bring Collections Online,” Key West Citizen (July 5, 2022)
https://www.keysnews.com/news/local/history-center-s-interns-bring-collections-online/article_2030172e-f6ee-11ec-9670-f3e439e73ba7.html
“Make sure to check out the new exhibition on Indian Key, “Indian Key Memories: A Community Scrapbook.” You can still participate by bringing your personal photographs, stories, poems, and artwork inspired by Indian Key and share those special moments that help tell the story of Indian Key. You will be included in our “History Harvest” exhibit in our upstairs gallery, remaining on display after the Celebration. Staff and volunteers will scan paper items onsite and immediately return the owner’s original materials, along with a free digital copy.”
- Editor, Konk Life (April 20, 2022)
https://konklife.com/indian-key-celebration-april-30-2022/
“This year’s Indian Key Celebration will showcase the 18th-century story of the sinking of the treasure laden Spanish galleon San Pedro in 1733; explore the fascinating story of Jacob Housman’s settlement of the 1830’s; and include the 20th-century depiction of life at a fishing camp, with highlights touching on hurricanes that affected the area and the building of the famed Overseas Railroad.”
— Contributed, “Indian Key Celebration Returns with San Pedro Sinking Showcase & More,” Keys Weekly (April 19, 2022)
https://keysweekly.com/42/indian-key-celebration-returns-with-san-pedro-sinking-showcase-more/
“Florida International University doctoral candidate in Atlantic history Megan Scallan will be bringing the museum’s database online, digitizing the museum’s archives and reaching out to community members for oral accounts of Keys history, beyond Islamorada. She’ll also be curating new interactive online exhibits.”
— Thersea Java, “HISTORY 2.0: New curator to help move history center into digital age,” Key West Citizen (Feb. 5, 2022)
https://www.keysnews.com/business/new-curator-to-help-move-history-center-into-digital-age/article_177e8c42-7f97-11ec-b0d8-fb1a7a801f4a.html
“The vision of the Florida Keys History and Discovery Foundation is that residents and visitors alike have a thorough understanding and strong appreciation of the unique history and environment of the Florida Keys.”
— “Take a tour of the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada,” TV88 MarathonFlorida com (February 4, 2022)
Take a tour of the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center in Islamorada
“In our second of three interviews, enjoy learning about our new Curator Megan Scallan, who has great ideas and plans for our museum moving forward. How about some children's activities, more events, a larger variety of historical material? What is your passion? Be sure and email her at curator@keysdiscovery.com with what you'd like to see here at the Florida Keys History & Discovery Center.”
— Florida Keys History & Discovery Center (January 17, 2022)
(1) 2022 0111 Bonnie&MeganInterview - YouTube
“The exhibit, “The Social Center of the South: The Past and Present of the Historic Hampton,” house tells the story of the Hampton House from its heyday in the 1950s and 60s to its rebirth over 40 years later as a community cultural center. The exhibit was produced by participants of the Historic Hampton House’s new music and history mentorship program, the Brownsville Unity Music Project. The exhibit is sponsored by Florida International University, The Children’s Trust, James S. and John L. Knight Foundation, and the state of Florida, Department of State, Division of Historical Resources.”
— Staff Report, “Historic Hampton House Exhibit Provides Peek Into Yesteryear,” South Florida Times (April 19, 2018)
https://www.sfltimes.com/news/historic-hampton-house-exhibit-provides-peek-into-yesteryear
“The Historic Hampton House Community Trust Inc. in Brownsville kicked off its BUMP (Brownsville Unity Music Program) at its inaugural event on Saturday collecting artifacts and stories designed to involve the community’s youth in preserving Hampton House and its history.”
— Margarita Sweeting, “Stories Across Generations: Hampton House Brings History to Local Youth,” Miami Times (Feb 14, 2018)
https://www.miamitimesonline.com/faith_family/hampton-house-brings-history-to-local-youth/article_7f797e8c-11a6-11e8-802f-7f00c2efb71e.html
“How do you encourage people to care about or even get excited over local history? One of the challenges in bringing the past and its ‘old-fashioned’ ideas alive in today’s fast-paced, social media world is making the people relevant. The Duxbury Rural and Historical Society has come up with an inventive and fun approach in its latest exhibit, ‘Re-imagining Bradford: Contemporary Art Inspired by the Bradford House Museum’ at the King Caesar House.”
— Sue Scheible, The Patriot Ledger (July 14, 2015)
A GOOD AGE: artists' imagination brings history alive in Duxbury
“The Duxbury Rural and Historical Society will open a new exhibit, “Re-Imagining Bradford: Contemporary Art Inspired by the Bradford House,” this June, in conjunction with a multi-year project to enhance the Bradford House experience. Megan Scallan Melvin, curator for the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society, said this is the first time they have hosted an exhibit of this type. This spring, artists from the South Shore have visited the Bradford House, taking photos, exploring the home and learning about the history of the family that lived there in the 19th century. After the tour with Melvin and Carolyn Ravenscroft, archivist, the artists returned to their studios, tasked with creating something that reflects their experience in the historic home. ‘The exhibition is all about looking at inspiration and having artists tell the story of the Bradford house while simultaneously taking it out of the context of the Bradford House,’ she said.”
— The Patriot Ledger (April 22, 2015)
Artists tour Bradford House, look for inspiration: Exhibit part of multi-year rejuvenation project - Duxbury Clipper
“The Weeden House is on the national register of historic places. Inside, you get a glimpse of those people who built Huntsville. The house/museum director is Megan Melvin.”
— Bobby Shuttleworth, “Weeden House: A Glimpse Into Huntsville's Past,” WAFF48 (May 17, 2013)
https://www.waff.com/story/22283069/weeden-house/
