A Florida Nonprofit 501(c)3 tax Exempt Organization
West Nassau Historical Society - West Nassau Museum of History
Located Inside the Historic Train Depot at 45383 Dixie Avenue, Callahan
Mail to P.O. Box 1758, Callahan, FL 32011 (904-879-3406)
Abner McGehee
This page was last updated: April 2, 2026
2014 - WNHS
Call 904 879-3406 for info on special tours
Smithsonian Food Exhibit
March 28 thru December 12, 2026
inside the historic Callahan Train Depot
45383 Dixie Avenue, Callahan, FLA
2015: The Artifact display during the 2015 RRDays
April Exhibit Hours
Wed and Thur, 2p to 4p
Friday, 9a to 11a
Saturday 9a-12n
2nd and 4th Thursdays, 5p to 8p
Grant and Harold began the first phase of transforming the unfinished building into a display area by installing insulation and paneling and adding an air conditioning unit. John Hendricks and Jan Johannes adding the interior shelves and moulding and built the access ramp. Special thanks to Rayonier and Brandies Ace Hardware for their assistance in obtaining the materials.
Aided by his brother, Richard, co-founder Johannes worked his magic by producing a permanent top-notch turpentine display for the building that was opened to the public during our 2015 Railroad Day Festival.
The grand opening of the Musslewhite Turpentine Display Building on Saturday, April 18, 2015.
Before and after pics.
@All photos copyright West Nassau Historical Society unless otherwise noted.
Food Exhibit Lecture Series Schedule
All lectures start at 6:30 pm with light meal, then lecture at 7pm
*Lectures will be held next door at the Callahan Depot Pavilion, 45323 Dixie Ave
^Lectures will be held at the historic Callahan Train Depot, 45383 Dixie Ave
*Thurs April 23 amir al theeb blueberries
^Thurs May 28 glenda simmons jenkins Gullah/Geechee food
^Friday June 12 nick deonas family founded shrimping
june 25 scott meyer Congaree Penn mayhaw
Friday July 10 TBA
Thurs July 23 TBA
Thurs Aug 27 Amy Green Hodges Poultry
Thurs Sept 24 Tracy Nazarro, Traders Hill
*Thurs oct 22 TBA
*Thurs Nov 12 Lewis Jordan Farming
h
The Soul of Nassau: From Coast to Pine
The Sun Rises Over Nassau County
The sun rises first over the Atlantic shores of Amelia Island, casting a golden light across the Victorian rooftops of Fernandina and the working docks where the shrimp boats gently tug at their lines. It is a light that has greeted generations of fishermen, sailors, and families who first looked to the sea to provide their daily bread and their way of life.
Across the Fertile Marshes
As the morning moves inland, it sweeps across the vast, emerald-green salt marshes of the Intracoastal. These winding waterways are the nursery of our coast, a place where the tide dictates the rhythm of the day. For centuries, the people of Nassau County have harvested these waters, finding sustenance in the oysters, crabs, and fish that define our local tables and our shared traditions.
Through the Deep Pine Forests
Continuing its journey west, the sun filters through the towering canopy of the longleaf pines. In the heart of West Nassau, the air carries the scent of earth and timber—a reminder of the logging and turpentine camps that built our towns. Here, the land is more than just a backdrop; it is a provider, offering the space for the gardens, livestock, and groves that have fed our inland communities for over a century.
The Heritage of Our Soil
From the furrowed rows of our family farms to the quiet strength of our cattle ranches, the history of Nassau County is written in the soil. Whether it was the Victory Gardens of the past or the modern homesteads of today, we have always been a people who know the value of a hard day’s work and the blessing of a shared meal. Our culture isn't just what we say; it’s what we plant, harvest, and cook.
What We Each Bring to the Table
Today, as we stand inside the historic Callahan Train Depot, we celebrate this intersection of food and culture. We honor the boat builders, the loggers, the farmers, and the families whose diverse recipes and stories make up the 105 panels of this exhibit. We invite you to sit with us, listen to these voices, and discover what we each bring to the table in this place we call home.
