Wanted: Local historians

The Alachua County Historical Commission will soon have four vacancies. Residents with knowledge of County history or historic preservation are encouraged to apply. The Commission meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month (except July and December) at the County Administration Building (12 S.E. 1st Street, Gainesville). The COVID-19 emergency may impact ACHC meetings in the near future. Appointments to the Board will be made by the County Commission in late May, and applications before May 8 are encouraged.

Board positions are three-year appointments. Knowledge of local history is critical, and persons who are active in local historic preservation efforts and localhistoricalorganizations are eligible. Professional practitioners and college students of history, architecture, planning, law, and historic preservation are encouraged to apply. Projects of the Historical Commission include work on StateHistorical Markers and supporting nominations to the National Register of Historic Places.

The Advisory Board works to accomplish the mission, “To promote, preserve and protect Alachua County’s historic resources,” and provides research and recommendations to the Alachua County Commission on matters related to County history. The Historical Commission provides leadership in advancing the identification, protection, preservation, and interpretation of Alachua County’s cultural heritage. They provide historical research and provide documentation as needed for exhibits, educational programs, and pamphlets about County history. They may assist local organizations such as museums, libraries and archives, historical, archaeological, and genealogical societies, and other institutions having historical objectives.

For more information about the application process or the Alachua County Historical lCommission, contact staff liaison Kathleen Pagan, AICP, Senior Planner, at 352-374-5249 or kpagan@alachuacounty.us.

To complete the application, go here.