Smithsonian Institution’s Pilot Food Exhibit Premieres at Historic Callahan Train Depot

The exhibition offers a comprehensive look at the county's culinary heritage, highlighting the vital roles of farming, dairy, poultry, and the coastal shrimping industry. Through 105 historical panels and high-tech interactive touchscreen kiosks, visitors can discover the stories of the families and workers who built Nassau County from the soil to the sea.

 

This immersive experience features numerous artifacts, two interactive touchscreen stations where guests can listen to thirteen exclusive interviews with local residents, preserving the firsthand accounts of our community's pioneers. Surrounding these stations, a wall of five synchronized monitors displays a rotating collection of rare historical photographs and vintage films, bringing the sights and sounds of Nassau's agricultural past to life. For our younger historians, the exhibit includes a dedicated "Reuse/Recycle" kids' area, featuring hands-on activities that emphasize the importance of sustainability in our local culture.

 

Location: Historic Callahan Train Depot, 45383 Dixie Avenue, Callahan, FL 32011

 

Guest Lecture Series:

• Thursday, April 23 - Amir Al Theeb of Al's Blueberry Farm

• Thursday, May 28 - Glenda Simmons Jenkins, Gullah/Geechee Foodways

• Friday, June 12 - Nick Deonas, grandson of Mike Tiliakos, founder of modern shrimping

• Thursday, June 25 - Scott Meyer of Congaree and Penn, growers of Mayhaws 

Location of April 23 lecture will be at the Callahan Depot Park Pavilion, 45323 Dixie Ave. All other lectures will be held inside the historic Callahan Train Depot, 45383 Dixie Avenue, Callahan, FL 32011. All lectures begin with light meal at 6:30 pm and then lecture at 7:00 pm.

 

About the West Nassau Historical Society: The West Nassau Historical Society is an all-volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the history and culture of western Nassau County. We are an active supporter of the Nassau Council of Arts and Culture. For more information or to schedule group tours, please visit wnhsfl.org or call 904-879-3406..