The Art, History and Culture of NSB
So what’s with the name New Smyrna Beach? If it’s Greek to you
that’s because it is Greek, named after the Greek city of Smyrna, which is
today the city of Izmir in Turkey. Settled by Europeans in 1768, a Scottish
physician by the name of Dr. Andrew Turnbull, established the colony of New
Smyrna in this oh-so lush part of the New World. Since he was married to the
daughter of a merchant from Smyrna, he named the settlement after her
birthplace. What a lovely tribute!
The history of this beautiful Florida destination is as rich as
the dark rum that was once produced here. In addition to sugarcane (used in the
making of rum), hemp and indigo were also grown here by Dr. Turnbull and other
colonists. Plantation life proved to be a failed endeavor and many of the
Mediterranean peoples brought in to work in the fields ended up fleeing to
Saint Augustine, Florida.
New Smyrna remained sleepy until 1892 when entrepreneur Henry
Flagler ushered in the railroad and opened up this glorious Florida destination
to the rest of the world. The era of tourism, commercial fishing and citrus
growing began, contributing greatly to the wealth of this unique community.
You can learn more about life here throughout the centuries at
the New Smyrna Museum of History, a gem of a museum located in Old Ford Park.
The Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum, housed in a nineteenth-century
church in the historic West Side community in NSB, is also of interest.
To see architectural examples of the prosperity of this
nineteenth century town and to capture the flavor of old New Smyrna (before it
was renamed New Smyrna Beach in 1947 when the city annexed adjacent Coronado
Beach), go to the Canal Street Downtown Historic District and also to Flagler
Avenue Historic Business District. (The latter is closer to the beach.) Be sure
to look up from street level to take in the full grandeur of these old
buildings. Know that you’ll be shaded by beautiful old oak trees and palms that
line the sidewalks–very classy.
Both areas make for great places to shop, wine and dine. And sip
brews! New Smyrna Beach Brewing Company is a fun gathering place on Canal
Street just minutes from the New Smyrna Museum of History and the Intracoastal
Waterway. Step into Little Drug Co. at the north end of Canal Street for a
whiff of yesteryear. In addition to being a full-service pharmacy, this beloved
establishment, founded in 1922, also boasts a soda fountain and restaurant–just
like in the olden days.
At the far end of Flagler, you’ll surely enjoy The Breakers, an
iconic landmark–right on the beach–since the early 1900s. Just think of all the
folks that have gobbled juicy burgers and thrown back beers while taking in the
eye-popping ocean views here. You might want to make this your end goal after
you’ve strolled the five full blocks of Flagler Avenue from the Intracoastal
Waterway to the Atlantic.
In terms of arts, NSB has received accolades from numerous
sources and publications for being one of America’s top small towns for the
arts. Artists live, work and show here, three factors that give the town a hip
and happening feel. Many of the galleries and shops are housed in small
cottages, which ups the charms of touring from place to place considerably. One
such example is the Clay Gallery that showcases pottery made on the premises as
well as stained glass and paintings from other local artists. The gardens here
are lovely as well.
Jane’s Art Center also serves as a gallery/garden showcase.
They’re an eclectic fine art gallery and ceramics center that features art from
American and European artists. They also sell superior table linens from many
of the regions of France, including Alsace, Normandy, the Basque Country and
other provinces. Works of art in and of themselves, these linens are durable
and affordable enough to use every day. Know that Jane’s Art Center also
conducts classes in ceramics.
For beautiful photographs of New Smyrna Beach and the outlying
area, go to Fernandez Photography & Arts Gallery on Flagler Avenue. If you
like cats, you must check out Jonah’s Cat Art Gallery, also on Flagler. And if
you’re into jewelry, go to Jewelry of Joy, which is also on this great shopping
street.
Quilt making and sewing qualify as art forms–perhaps in the Folk
Art genre–and whether you’re new to this craft or an expert, you’ll enjoy
visiting Seaside Sewing & Quilts. Here you can shop for supplies, actual
quilts and/or take a class.
Arts on Douglas, a gallery affiliated with Atlantic Center for
the Arts (ACA), is a must for art aficionados visiting New Smyrna Beach.
Located in historic downtown in an old furniture warehouse building, here they
put on eighteen shows a year within their 3,500 square feet of exhibition
space. At any given time, you’ll find works in a variety of media and styles.
Be sure to check out their alt_space that features contemporary artists of
various genres from Florida.
Where there are arts, there are also lots of events and gallery
openings. You can find out about many of them at the New Smyrna Beach Visitor
Center and/or at their events page on their website.
Happy touring!