Collections & Research

The historic collections of the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum are a community creation, formed to save and preserve artifacts pertinent to Columbia County history and that of the counties that surround it. Before the museum existed, these artifacts were being lost on a regular basis. Immediately after it opened in 1989, the museum received items from many individuals.

 

Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum actively collects, holds, and administers objects of historical and antiquarian interest to the City of Lake City, Columbia County, and North Florida. The collection encompasses a wide variety of artifacts including kitchenware and other household items, military objects, tools, furniture, and decorative items. The collection also contains archival material, books, photographs, period clothing and other textiles, toys, automotive items, radios, machinery, medical and scientific apparatus, and more.

 

Objects offered by the community for addition to the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum collection are evaluated by museum curators based upon several criteria. This enables the museum to focus on preserving artifacts significant to the mission of the agency. For example,

• Does the artifact have historical, architectural, archaeological, or folk culture value relating to the City of Lake City, Columbia County, and North Florida?
• Does the artifact have potential for research or is it useful for exhibition or educational purposes?
• Does the artifact have legitimate and clear provenance?
• Does the current owner have clear title?
• Can the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum provide proper storage, protection, and preservation?

Gift evaluations are documented and sent to the Director who recommends to the Board of Directors formal acceptance of artifacts to the permanent collection.

 

The staff of Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum. is not allowed to make appraisals because we do not operate as a dealer or commercial auction site. The IRS also considers museums to have a conflict of interest with regard to appraisals. If you are interested in an appraisal, please contact a local dealer or antique appraiser.

 

Research Library - This category contains the largest number of artifacts in the Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum’s collections. It includes many items such as reference books, newspapers, local history books, journals and local telephone directories, postcards, correspondence and photographs, and family histories. Each of these documents gives insight into the geological, archaeological, economic, geographic, political, architectural, and cultural history of the county.

 

150th Anniversary Collections - The museum staff currently concentrates on temporary exhibits to compliment the permanent exhibits to prevent a "been there, seen that" attitude among visitors. The Lake City 150th Anniversary brings new information on our community and will become part of our permanent collection.

If you are considering a donation of a historical object or collection of objects to Lake City-Columbia County Historical Museum, Inc., feel free to contact our museum curator, Pat McElhaney, at (386) 755-9096 or email her at edisto1@windstream.net.