DeSoto County Historical Society

09/02/2026

“I Wonder . . .” Wednesday features a historic photograph, and we are asking for your help in identifying some aspect of the photograph—who, what, when, or where. Please share what you know!

I Wonder Who . . . these women are? These photographs were sent to the Society with the hope that we might identify them. We know that they have a Westberry family connection, and color photographs became popular in the late 1960s.

09/02/2026

The John Morgan Ingraham House Museum remains closed this week for repairs to the front porch. For more information, please contact the Society at 863-445-0789 or [email protected].

08/31/2026

🚨 ONE FINAL PUSH — AND WE NEED YOUR HELP SPREADING THE WORD! 🚨

Last year, you all helped us take A Land Remembered far beyond what we ever imagined. Teachers, Extension agents, agricultural organizations, parents, producers, and friends shared the program across Florida — and it took off.

Can we do it again? 🌴🐄📚

Registration is wrapping up for A Land Remembered: Where Cattle, Conservation, and Beef Come Together! — a 6-week classroom program for 4th grade, 5th grade, middle AND high school students!

Using Patrick D. Smith’s A Land Remembered, students get to experience Florida’s history while connecting it to the agriculture and natural resources that still shape our state today.

📖 Daily reading from A Land Remembered
🌱 ELA, science, math & social studies connections
🗺️ Journals, maps, worksheets & vocabulary
🐄 Pioneer life + modern ranching
✏️ Real-world writing activities
🎥 PLUS a one-day statewide livestream on February 26, 2027!

And we need YOUR help getting this into the hands of teachers.

You may not be a teacher — but you probably know one. Share this post. Tag an educator. Send it to your local school. Drop it in a homeschool group. Share it with your 4-H families. Send it to that teacher who loves Florida history.

One share could put this program in front of an entire classroom of students. ❤️

🔗 REGISTER HERE:
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=-KBNDTFKdk2s5gpiMx4bhLlLEGE0DK1LruOuG4GP70ZUMFhGRFhNUzc5UUFBS0pYRDUxMjRMTjFFWS4u&utm_source=chatgpt.com&route=shorturl

📧 Questions? [email protected]

Help us make Florida’s story go viral one more time. 🌴🐂📚

08/26/2026

08/26/2026

It's "I Wonder Wednesday!"
I Wonder Where . . . this flat file cabinet was used and for what business? The Re*****on Rand and the Sperry Corporation merged in 1955 and became Sperry Rand manufacturing the Victor Safe & Equipment office products, storage, and fire resistive filing systems. Where was this Sperry Rand Victor Flat File Cabinet with 18 drawers used? (It is 18” long x 10” wide x 22” high.) The 18" x 9.25" x 1" trays slide out and then the cards flip up to be written or read. Many of the cards are blank. "The Auburndale, Florida, Star" was a newspaper, and because the record is "COMP," (meaning complimentary), this flat file may have come from one of the newspaper offices in Arcadia.

08/23/2026

Dear Members and Friends,

We hope to see you at Monday's meeting of the DeSoto County Historical Society as we gather to remember and learn about a very special woman in our community. Our speaker will be Judy Wertz-Strickland, member of the Society and City of Arcadia mayor, who will share Betty Jean Albritton's reminiscences of growing up in Limestone from a document found by Betty's daughter-in-law Lisa Grady.

Born on May 9, 1927, in Limestone, Florida, Betty Jean Albritton Grady was a member of the varsity basketball team and graduated from DeSoto County High School in 1945. After her marriage to Fred Jackson Grady (1923-2011) in 1946 and his graduation from college in 1948, they worked together at Robarts-Grady Funeral Home where she served families throughout DeSoto County for more than 40 years. She died on June 15, 2026.

Join us in the McSwain Room at DMH, 900 N. Robert Ave.. The meeting is free and open to the public. At 11:30 a.m., lunch is available for purchase in the hospital cafeteria. The program begins at noon.

08/05/2026

"I Wonder Wednesday" features Lawanda. I wonder who she is and what year this photo was taken? In celebration of the District-wide Open House on Aug. 6 and the first day of school on Aug. 10, this school photo is probably one of Miss Frances Pooser's students at Memorial Elementary School as it was donated by her. The name "Lawanda" is written on the back of the photo.

08/04/2026

George and Johnny Lempenau are members of the DeSoto County Historical Society. It is with great sadness that we share this post of George's passing. Whenever we asked for help, George was there. Our thoughts and prayers are with Johnny and her family. May their memories give them comfort in the days ahead.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of the patriarch of our family, George Leonard Lempenau.

George lived a full and meaningful life, always knowing how to balance hard work with making memories. In 1992, he packed up his family and moved from Buffalo, New York, to Florida. Alongside his wife, Jonica ("Johnny"), he purchased Peace River Campground, where they built not only a successful family business but also a place where countless families have made cherished memories for generations.

When he wasn't working, George had a passion for travel. He was an active member of several organizations that took him to many incredible places throughout the years. Some of his happiest moments, however, were spent with his family—loading up the RV, bringing along the dogs, and taking cross-country road trips with his wife and sons, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Later, he found great joy in taking his oldest granddaughters on camping trips to Disney, passing along his love of adventure to the next generation.

In recent years, George courageously battled Dementia/Alzheimer's disease, which ultimately took both his mind and body. While we take comfort in knowing he is now at peace, his absence leaves an immeasurable void in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

George is deeply missed by his devoted wife of 51 years, Jonica ("Johnny") Lempenau; his sons, Lenny (Summer) Lempenau and Andrew (Debbie) Lempenau; and his four beloved granddaughters, Soleil, Linleigh, Layla, and Alice Lempenau.

We ask that you keep our family in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this difficult loss. Details regarding a celebration of George's life will be shared in the coming days. Until then, we kindly ask for privacy and time to grieve as a family.

07/30/2026

Any ideas? “I Wonder Who . . . this woman is? She is wearing a long-sleeve, high-waisted, dark-colored dress with a very slight white or light-color collar, and on the negative is written the name “Reece.” In 1905 in Kansas, Nate E. Reece, Sr., married his wife Callie L. Voiers Reece, and they moved to Arcadia 100 years ago. He became the editor of the Arcadian, and she opened a beauty shop. Could this woman be a young Callie? Or Nate’s mother?

07/22/2026

“I Wonder . . .” Wednesday featureS a historic photograph, and we are asking for your help in identifying some aspect of the photograph—who, what, when, or where. Please share what you know!

“I Wonder Who . . . this man is and where he is? In a long-sleeve plaid shirt, he is has allowed a bird to perch in his hand that is also holding against his palm a folded paper towel, napkin, or hankerchief. The bird may be a scrub jay. This photo was in a collection donated by Miss Frances Pooser, so she may be the photographer.