Eric Musgrove Contributor We have been looking at African American history for the past several weeks. Last week, we began reviewing religious life during Reconstruction. This week, we complete that aspect of…
Category: History
181 years of Florida history in the making
Hailey Heseltine editor@riverbendnews.org In 1845, Florida became the 27th state to join the United States of America. This year marks 181 years since Florida’s statehood began. Florida’s history, of course, began long…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 4
Eric Musgrove Contributor Last week, I discussed the end of slavery in the United States, an act that freed millions of African Americans to choose their own paths in life, often for…
Casting the BALLOT of courage: Jeanette Udell
Jason Futch reporter@riverbendnews.org The year was 1962. Just a few years before the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, a man named Sistrunk and his wife,…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 3
Eric Musgrove Contributor We ended our discussion last week talking about the First Seminole War, in which former slaves played an important role. This week, we continue our discussion of African American…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 2
Eric Musgrove Contributor This week, we will continue our discussion of Black history in Suwannee County, a history that has spanned nearly five centuries. Slavery had become a part of American culture…
James Dean the first elected Black judge in Florida
Christian Peterson reporter@riverbendnews.org February is designated as Black History Month across the United States. Each year, Riverbend News highlights local individuals who have had a tremendous impact on history. This week’s subject is James Dean. Dean was born into slavery in Ocala in 1858….
A legacy of care and dignity: Charles T. Hall
Jason Futch reporter2@riverbendnews.org Charles Theodore Hall was a man whose name was synonymous with care and dignity in Suwannee County. He was one of the earliest Black funeral directors in Suwannee County,…
Remembering Suwannee: Black history in Suwannee County, Part 1
Eric Musgrove Contributor This month is Black History Month. In honor of this time, today begins a two-month-long series on the impact of African Americans in Suwannee County’s history. African Americans have…
Celebrating the many adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Mickey Starling editor@riverbendnews.org Occasionally, some of the happy reflections of childhood come back to us in one form or another. Many of us grew up enjoying a variety of Disney characters, but…
Remembering Suwannee: Reflections on a new year, Part 2
Eric Musgrove County Historian Last week, to start 2026 off, I began a discussion on how to preserve your family’s records and photographs. Today, I’ll complete that discussion before we continue with…
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s role in the Civil Rights Movement
Danny Federico reporter3.riverbendnews@gmail.com Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. continues to be one of the most influential figures in American history. He is remembered for his courage, compassion and dedication to justice and…
Honoring the “father of American music”
Although Stephen Collins Foster was born on July 4, 1826, in Lawrence, Penn., he has monuments and state parks named after him throughout the United States. However, in the North Central Florida…
Remembering Suwannee: Reflections on a new year, Part 1
Eric Musgrove County Historian I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as we roll into 2026. In lieu of a normal historical article, I’d like to take…
Pallets for Patriotism brings America250 home to Hamilton County
Jennifer Gisonni Contributor Florida Youth Charitable Inc., in partnership with Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 4993, Lowe’s and Ace Hardware of Jasper, is proud to announce Pallets for Patriotism, a community…
Remembering Suwannee: Thurber Talmadge Scott, Part 2
Eric Musgrove County Historian Last week, we began discussing T. T. Scott. We continue this week. Scott’s civic affairs spread to the state level. He was appointed to the Board of Control…
New Year’s superstitions around the world
Hailey Waldo editor@riverbendnews.org Many people have odd superstitions when it comes to New Year’s celebrations. From avoiding certain foods and chores to throwing furniture out of the window, people around the world…