On July 2nd, the Mandarin Community Club hosted a "Bingo for the Bell...the Unveiling" and 98th Club Anniversary. The event was deemed a big success with a great turn out from the community and the long-awaited unveiling of the fully restored 1855 bell. The funds raised at the Bingo event will go toward the final steps of securing the bell on a moveable display with an appropriate cover to preserve and protect the finish and a storage cabinet to secure when not on display. The bell is considered to be an artifact of great historic significance and comes with a fascinating backstory. Research by the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society reveals that Harriet Beecher Stowe herself went on a letter writing quest to solicit a bell for use at the then named Mandarin Schoolhouse. It's possible the existing bell was in response to Mrs. Stowe's request. Likely the bell arrived in "used condition" as its date can be tracked to 1855--a date that pre-dates the building, the Civil War, and Mrs. Stowe's years in Mandarin! The bell was utilized to call the community together for community meetings, performances, religious services, and much more.
The evening also celebrated the anniversary of the Club founding on July 2nd, 1923. The Club grew out of the Liberty League that was active in World War I but afterwards citizens were looking for leadership on community issues so the Community Club was formed from that group. There has been 98 years of steadfast service and enrichment to the community from lobbying for electricity in its earliest days, to the nationally acclaimed Mandarin Players and theater groups making use of the stage, to advocating to preserve and protect the Patriarch Oaks of Mandarin Road, and so much more. The Community Club has been the recipient of countless awards and honors in addition to being the oldest civic organization in Jacksonville, housed in one of the most historically significant buildings in North Florida, and owner of the National Register designated Post Office and General Store. It’s a big responsibility which we can only meet with the support of dedicated members and volunteers. Learn more about the history of the Club and Mandarin by purchasing Mandarin on the St. Johns by Mary B. Graf or Palmetto Leaves by Harriet Beecher Stowe for your summer reading. For more information, check out our Support page or contact us at info@mandarincommunityclub.org. The Mandarin Community Club will be collecting holiday card greetings for our servicemen and women this year. Distribution will be through the American Red Cross. It is our hope that our members and the community alike will support this endeavor. A collection box designed for this purpose will be in placed at the front door of the MCC building from November 1st-10th. Those wishing to participate can also bring their cards to the annual Wreath-Laying Ceremony on November 8th at the Billard Commemorative Park. Please note these few guidelines per the American Red Cross:
Thank you in advance for your support of this project. A “GROWING” event, the Club is proud to host a TREE GIVEAWAY for the fourth year in a row! This is our way of continuing to replant and keep Mandarin “green.” Over 500 FREE TREES are available to residents living in the 32223, 32257, and 32258 ZIP codes. But only one (1) tree per household/vehicle please. Food trucks will offer breakfast as the morning begins and lunch items later. Nitrogen Creamery will keep the kids cool and happy! And this year there will be FUN children's activities they won’t want to miss! Speakers inside the Club building include Larry Figart from the Duval County Extension Office on best tree planting and tree care practices, a talk on how to attract garden friendly butterflies and a local beekeeper on the critical role of bees and the production of local honey! The Club will host a special table with membership information and retail merchandise sales including the popular Mandarin baseball caps. And a very special Prize Drawing will tempt everyone to purchase tickets! VOLUNTEERS ARE ENCOURAGED AND WELCOME!! Want to help? Please contact the club at 904-268-1622 or e-mail. U.S. FLAGS WILL BE HONORABLY RETIRED - The Mandarin Community Club is collecting worn, used, or damaged flags for proper and honorable disposal. In partnership with SAR (Sons of the American Revolution) the Club will hold a flag retirement ceremony as a valuable service to our members and the community. This is a moving and educational experience for all who attend as an American flag is deconstructed while the history and meaning of each component is explained. We would like to thank Thompson Ace Hardware for their role in collecting worn, used or faded flags for this event. If you have a flag you would like retired and properly handled for disposal, a collection box will be located outside the Club at 12447 Mandarin Road from 7 AM - 3 PM on Feb 9th until the ceremony begins. Members and guests are invited and encouraged to attend this highly symbolic ceremony. Check our website at mandarincommunityclub.org or call the Club at 904-268-1622 for more information. The first Third Thursday Lecture of 2020 kicks off on February 27th* with local author, Greg Estevez, who will be presenting on Edisto Island, South Carolina, as well as his family connections to the rich history and heritage from slavery times to present day. Some may be surprised by the historical connection Mandarin has with Edisto Island. There once was a small African-American community on Old St. Augustine Road that was also called Edisto. The people who settled there had migrated from Edisto, SC to this area after the Civil War. They started a church there, Julington Baptist Church, one of Mandarin’s three historic African-American churches that still exist. As the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society was undergoing research for the development of an exhibit on African-American history in Mandarin, which will be part of the newly expanded museum building, they came across a couple of names connected to Mandarin and Edisto communities. *Please note this lecture will be on the 4th Thursday of February due to a conflict at the Mandarin Community Club Third Thursday Lectures are presented by the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society in partnership with and held at the Mandarin Community Club, located at 12447 Mandarin Rd. Refreshments begin at 6:30 pm with the lecture at 7 pm. It is free and all are invited and encouraged to attend. Adapted from: Mandarin Museum & Historical Society |
Club NewsCurrent & past news and announcements from Mandarin Community Club.
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The Mandarin Community Club is an independent, not for profit organization open to all, especially those who live in the Mandarin area. The Club is dedicated to the preservation and beautification of Mandarin, to providing educational forums and enhancing the cultural and recreational life of the area and to maintaining its three historic properties.
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MANDARIN ART FESTIVAL
Every Easter weekend Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Sunday 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
SUPPORT
Membership is opened to all who wish to support the Club's mission and preservation of historic structures. The Mandarin Community Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations made to our organization is tax-deductible.
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STAY CONNECTED
*E-mail inquiries are limited to membership
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MANDARIN COMMUNITY CLUB | 12447 MANDARIN ROAD | JACKSONVILLE, FL 32223 (MAP) | (904) 268-1622 | CONTACT US | © 2023 Mandarin Community Club, LLC
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIV OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS BY CALLING TOLL FREE 800-435-7352 WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. REGISTRATION # CH50554
The Mandarin Community Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations made to our organization is tax-deductible.
The Mandarin Community Club is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. All donations made to our organization is tax-deductible.