Heritage Day Festival at the 1885 Train Depot
The Heritage Day Festival started thirty-four years ago by Virginia Jackson to honor the founders of Hernando County, which started in 1843.
“We kind of forgot where we came from,” Gary Spurlock said. Spurlock is the Train Depot’s current docent. Remembering that the street in front of the Train Depot was not a paved road but a dirt road and the only transportation was horse drawn carriages. Volunteers like Gary Spurlock love to tell the stories of Brooksville’s past. As you walk through the train depot you get a feel of what it was like, from the creaking of the original wood floors to having a glimpse of what life was like back before cells phones.
“A funny story while conducting a tour, a young child around five or six didn’t understand how to use the candlestick telephone that was displayed. He was scared to put his finger in the dialer,” Suzanne Touchton said.
Hernando Historical Museum Association bought the train depot in 1990, and at that time it was abandoned, Ron Daniel President of the Hernando Historical Museum Association explained.
During the festival, the public had the opportunity to tour some of Brooksville’s historical homes. The tour included the 1885 Col. Martin Home, 1900 Ederington House, 1911 Dawson House and of course the May-Stringer House.
As some of the houses have changed hands several times over the years, current owners of the restored historic homes have had much work to bring them back to what they once were.
In 2004 the Ederington house was purchased by Mr. and Mrs. Mango. Renee Mango explained that they tried very hard to preserve and restore the home in a gentle manner.
Somer Struhar and her husband, John purchased the Col. Martin House back in 2013. “I love Victorian homes, I love the character,” Somer Struhar said. Having helped her grandmother restore houses, Somer shares her love of restoration with those that browse through her family’s home.
Anthony and Sheri Pedonesi are the second owners of the Dawson House. “I take such pride in the history of Brooksville and Hernando County from the moment I moved here, ” Sheri Pedonesi said.
For the owners of these houses, they all can agree that those who step inside their homes understand what passion lies from wall to wall. “That people appreciate history not just the homes but the historical story of our area,” Renee Mango said.
There is so much history that is lost every day, but memories are kept alive by providing these types of events for the community. If you are interested in volunteering with the Hernando Historical Museum Association please visit their website at www.hernandoheritagemuseum.com