Suwannee Democrat

May 19, 2009

Museum in the works for Branford?

By Vanessa Fultz, Democrat Reporter

Branford may be getting a museum and genealogical society.

The South Suwannee Heritage House, as the facility may be called, would be located in the Presbyterian Manse on the corner of NW Drane Street and NW Haines Ave.

"There's a lot of history here," said Shirley Clark, Branford Town Council president. "It's right on the Suwannee River and we want people to know about Branford and how it came about."

Current plans are for the museum to also include means for patrons to research their own genealogy.

"Everybody wants to learn about their roots and family," Clark said.

Donna Hardin, town clerk, said officials purchased the house and a vacant lot next to it for $69,000. The purchase was made about a year ago.

"Our fire volunteer department uses (the lot) for training drills," she said.

The project is still in the planning stages. An inspection of the building will be scheduled soon.