I used to sit with my grandmother on her soft sofa, looking through albums which told the story of her life. There were faded black and white photographs of she and my grandfather on their wedding day-- her dark hair in soft curls, his goofy smile; photographs of my grandfather when he finally came home from the war in 1945-- it was the first time he saw my dad, who was pushing a year old. We would look even further-- she would point to photographs of her grandfather; a German immigrant with an American dream who, she would add, is considered one of Tampa's pioneers. My grandmother valued our history and instilled that same love in her children and grandchildren. For that I am grateful. In turn, we created our own memories and, though she's gone, the sound of my grandmother's voice; her laughter; her spunk will never fade from my memory. Each time I smell toffee cookies baking in the oven or hear Bing Crosby or Billie Holiday crooning on the radio, there she is. The feeling is similar upon entering Treasures of Madison County, located in the historical W.T. Davis building on Range Avenue.
At once, you're taken away to a time much simpler, where the pace was slower and community was everything. Treasures board member, Teenie Cave, guided me through the exhibit, showing me items such as the X-ray machine they kept at the old Yankee Hunting Club Hospital many years ago. When that hospital moved to the brick building on Marion Street which, until last year, was Madison County Memorial Hospital, they brought the machine to Madison Veterinary Clinic where Dr. Davis and Dr. Lewis used it before they moved to the current location on U.S. 90. The X-ray machine now sits in the museum next to a cabinet filled with old medical tools and utensils and an old autoclave which was used to sterilize needles. Another point of interest is the projector from the Madison Drive-In Theatre, which used to be located on U.S. 90. It's surrounded by vintage movie posters, a dinner tray which used to sit inside the window of visitors' vehicles, a Madison County Coke bottle resting atop the tray and an old speaker which patrons would pull inside their car to hear the movie projected on the big screen.
If you continue to travel through this amazing museum you'll find an impressive military collection, complete with battle gear, uniforms, flags and photos of Madison's brave men and women who fought for our freedom. You might even see a photo of someone you know; a parent, grandparent or, in my case, a great grandfather, young, handsome and stoic, dressed in uniform. The items which rest inside Treasures of Madison County are representatives of the rich, amazing history of our area. I encourage you to visit and, perhaps, like the tune of an old song, you'll be carried away to a time you thought only lingered in the corners of your memory. If not, make sure you stick around for the next Enterprise-Recorder and another dose of Madison County history! Treasures of Madison County is located at 200 S Range Avenue. They're open Tuesday-Friday, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., and on Saturdays, from 10 a.m. until noon. For more information, call (850) 973-3661.
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1. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Savannah Reams, July 13, 2015. The old X-ray machine which used to rest in the Yankee Hunting Club Hospital, before it moved to Marion Street and became Madison County Memorial Hospital.
2. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Savannah Reams, July 13, 2015. The projector from the Madison Drive-In Theatre, which used to be located on U.S. 90. It's surrounded by vintage movie posters, a dinner tray which used to sit inside the window of drive-in visitors, a Madison County Coke bottle sitting atop the tray and an old speaker which patrons would pull inside their vehicle to hear the movie projected on the big screen.
3. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Savannah Reams, July 13, 2015. Organ pipes and chairs from the old Presbyterian church (now Church of Christ) located at 199 NE Range Avenue.
4. Greene Publishing, Inc. Photo By Savannah Reams, July 13, 2015. Treasures Board Member, Teenie Cave, stands in front of a wall which is filled with historical photographs of Madison County.