History Center Board
About the Board
This is a unique 100 year old building that has been rehabilitated to be used for history exhibits and also for art, education, community functions, and other subjects of interest.
It is our mission to educate the public about the history of Melbourne Beach and the South Beaches.
The History Center is open to everyone Saturdays from 11 am - 3 pm. We enjoy all comments, stories, interest, and support.
How to Reach Us
Phone: (321) 952-7322
Meetings
The Town of Melbourne Beach History Center Board meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month at 4:00 pm at the Old Town Hall at 2373 Oak Street (near A1A), Melbourne Beach, FL 32951. Residents and public are welcome.
When: 1st Thursday of Each Month
Where: Old Town Hall
Time: 4:00PM
Exhibits
The most recent exhibit has been OAK LODGE, AIS INDIANS & RODEAVER COLONY.
There is always a permanent display of information, history and artifacts relating to Ais Indians, Ponce de Leon, shipwrecks, and photos of the early years, interesting people and places.
Some of our past exhibits include:
- Ryckman House
- Historic Foods
- Old Oak Lodge
- The Melbourne Beach Chapel
- Town of Indialantic
- Student Art Exhibit- Railroad
- The Smith Homestead
- Honest John’s Fish Camp
- Historic Christmas Ornaments
- Interviews of longtime local residents
- Founders Day T-Shirts
- Art Show – Facets of Florida
There have also been exhibits pertaining to pineapples, shipwrecks, Ais Indians, Juan Ponce de Leon, a Casino, and the railroad and tram.
We welcome suggestions for subjects of interest and if you know of a topic please contact us. Also we suggest that you call ahead to see which exhibit is presently showing or to find the month for a certain topic.
History of Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall History Center is located in a building that was built in 1908 by the Melbourne Beach Improvement Company. That company was organized to develop the area into a town with streets, buildings, facilities, etc.
The officers were Capt. Rufus Beaujean, his son Don Beaujean, and Lawrence Ryckman. It may be that in this building, they each had an office with an entry door and the fourth door could have been the Post Office. It was located by the pier in the area now called Ryckman Park.
In the mid 50s, a new town hall was built so this building was floated down the river and set on land in the area of the present golf course. It was moved again in 1976 to its present location.
About the Rehabilitation
In 2001, some members of the present Board learned that the County was going to demolish the run-down building. A letter/petition campaign was started to “Save the Building”. County and Town governments co-operated. Many volunteers and craftsmen donated their time and materials like wiring, roofing, plumbing. It took six years of community effort until the building was finally re-opened in May of 2007.
You can also get information by searching Google for Town of Melbourne Beach Old Town History Center.
Board Members
| Member |
Position |
Term |
| Laurie Simmons |
Chairwoman |
01/18/2025 |
| Crystal Cain |
Secretary |
12/21/2024 |
| Frank Thomas |
Member |
05/17/2019 |
| Steve Doles |
Member |
02/15/2025 |
| Genie Gold |
Member |
12/21/2024 |
| Bruce Morgan |
Member |
12/21/2024 |
| Vacant |
Member |
|
| Vacant |
Alternate #1 |
|
| Vacant |
Alternate #2 |
|