Director’s Corner One of the most exciting opportunities the museum

had this quarter was bringing together seventy works of

art created by Captain John Destin. Today, “Uncle

John” would be considered a folk artist. When I look at

art, three quotes come to mind. Aristotle said, “The aim

of art is to represent not the outward appearance of

things, but their inward significance.” Henry David

Thoreau said, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s

what you see.” And Henry Ward Beecher said, “Every

artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own

nature into his pictures.” When you look at the works of

John Destin, you see the heritage of the hard life of the

early commercial fisherman and the sometimes danger-

ous environment in which they lived. You see John’s

love of the sea and the boats that sailed there and get a

glimpse of the life he knew so well.

The Museum is continuing to experience record

breaking attendance. Reviews on TripAdvisor have

been very positive and the Museum received the 2016

Certificate of Excellence for the consistent achievement

of high ratings from travelers. This platform has guided

many travelers to our site. Our new 30 second ad is be-

ing shown daily on Beach TV for the summer and is

bringing in new visitors to the museum. June 9th marked my seventh year at the museum and I

appreciate the opportunity to support the Museum’s

Mission Statement on a daily basis. Many thanks to our

wonderful supportive Museum Board!!

Kathy

April to June 2016 Newsletter Volume 10 Issue 4

Destin History & Fishing

Museum

Here’s What’s

Been

Happening At

YOUR Museum!

2016 BOARD MEETINGS: For

2016 the meetings will be:

January 13,February 10, March

9, April 13, May 11, June 8, July

13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9,

December 14

Museum Visitors

January to June

5,480 visitors

June 2016

1,330 visitors

Tours & Off Site Events

April 5-Miss Destin “Soda Party”

April 12-Kathy Blue spoke at Kelly

Plantation Fishing Club

April 16-Coast Guard Classes

Museum Rodeo Gallery

April 22-Crosspoint Niceville UMC

Tour

May 7-Kathy Blue spoke at Found-

er’s Day

May 10– Kathy Blue spoke at

Shalimar UMC Friendship Club

May 10– Okaloosa County Leader-

ship Tour

June 30– Silver Sands Tour

Calendar of Events

May 2– Beach TV ad filming

May 12- “Reel Destin”

documentary filming

May 12-Southern Perks filming

April 5

Miss Destin Contestant’s “Soda Party”

April 16

Coast Guard Classes in “Rodeo Gallery”

May 4

John Destin Art Show Opening Reception

May 5

Blessing of the Fleet

May 4, 5, 6, & 7

John Destin Art Show

May 7

Founder’s Day

October 1

Museum 11th Anniversary

September 30 to October 2

Destin Seafood Festival

Museum Fundraising Concessions

Mark Your Calendar !

December 11, 2016

30th Annual

Holiday on the Harbor

Lighted Boat Parade

January 28, 2017

Gumbo Contest & Silent

Auction

PR Building !! BLAST

FROM

THE PAST

11/11/1983 Old Destin Post

Office Museum

Dedication

John Destin art on

display at the Destin

5/4/2016 John Destin

Art Show

John Destin art on

display at the Destin

History & Fishing

Kathy Marler Blue, Becky

Destin & Muriel Destin

Author Hank Klein

DESTIN

Pioneer Settlers

A Land History

of Destin, Florida

from 1819-1940

AVAILABLE AT

MUSEUM

Page 2 Destin History & Fishing Museum

Captain John Destin Art Show May 4 to May 7

The Destin History & Fishing Museum hosted a private collection showing of Captain John Destin works during the

week of Founder’s Day. On May 4th an evening opening reception was held and catered by Dewey Destin’s Restaurant.

On May 5th, 6th, & 7th the public was invited to view this collection with photos and remembrances of his life in a special

A/V presentation. Seventy pieces of his art were graciously loaned for this historic art show. “Uncle John” was born

March 5, 1897 in the old Destin homestead on Choctawhatchee Bay and passed away May 18, 1982. His parents were

George Destin and Emma Marler. He was the grandson of Captain Leonard Destin, the New England seafarer who came

to East Pass, Florida and established the fishing village which was later given his name. The “olde salt” John Destin was a

boat builder, fisherman, and artist. What makes his art so unusual is that he never had an art lesson and his artistic tech-

nique was a natural gift. His knowledge of ships, artistic eye, and fisherman’s hands with patience in the smallest detail

created the beautiful works. He grew up watching sailing ships from the shore, from the docks in Pensacola where the

men would take their catches to market, from his boat, often meeting up with crews and captains that fished the Gulf of

Mexico at the height of the snapper industry. His early materials were ordinary boat and house paints on ‘canvases” of

juniper, plywood, Masonite, or other available materials. He was equally adept at carving models of vessels he had

known. Another unusual trait of “Uncle John” is that he never made a penny on his many paintings. Never available for

sale, his work was generously and humbly presented to a fortunate few as gifts. Recipients of his work count his paintings

among their prized possessions handed down from generation to generation and considered “folk art” in the art world.

This was only the third time in Destin’s history that this private collection was together. The first showing was No-

vember 11, 1983 when the Old Post Office Museum was dedicated and the second was March 14, 2006 at the newly

opened Destin History & Fishing Museum.

Known as Captain John to some, but more familiarly

as “Uncle John” to his many, many relatives in the Vil-

lage of Destin and newcomers who grew to love this qui-

et, good, uncomplicated “gentleman of the old school”.

In declining years, he owned a treasured little dog called

“Boozier”, but his only lifetime companions were his

books and his art.

So long as his work survives,

Uncle John

will be remembered.

The Museum has a limited amount

of four prints

of Captain John Destin’s artwork

for sale at $10 each.

John Destin

portraits done by

artist

Sally Christensen.

“ I don’t paint

for money.

Being paid

would take the

fun out of it!”

Preserving the Heritage of the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village ! Page 3

Special Thanks Our greatest appreciation

to the donors

of this exhibit.

American Legion Post 296

Kathy Marler Blue

Tommy & Janie Browning

Matt Davis

William F. Davis, Jr.

William F. Davis, Sr.

Tony Davis

Dewey & Becky Destin

Harold Destin

Johnnie Destin

Muriel Destin

Susan Destin Destin History & Fishing Museum

Sandra Early

David Krebs & Aeriel Seafood

Phyllis Krebs

Billy & Mary Lou Lawson

Ben Marler, Jr.

Tommy Mikel

Charles & Carla Morgan

Claude & Tona Newland

Judy Peckham

Fred Schultz

Sandra Shirah

Karl & Sandy Trammel

Connie Walter

Harold Walter

Jamie Ward

Page 4 Volume 10, Issue 4

Work

s o

f J

oh

n D

esti

n—

Fo

lk A

rtis

t

Documenting and sharing the complete history of Destin ! Page 5

John Holguin Brings 11’ 7” Alligator to Museum

April 18– “Primrose”

gets new lettering

on the bow

by Matt Ronk.

Exhibit Renovations & Additions

John Holguin and a friend captured the gator about six years ago in the Apalachicola

River. “ It was our biggest one by far, “ said Holguin, who still likes to gator hunt. “I’m

glad it’s got a home, a good home, where kids can come and see and touch it.”

The alligator is the official state reptile of Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Many

tourist attractions in Florida feature these reptiles. Once on the verge of extinction, the

gator has made a remarkable recovery and can live to about 50 years old in the wild.

In the early days of Destin, alligators were found in the freshwater rivers, ponds,

swamps, marshes, lakes, and bayou areas. They can tolerate salt water for only brief peri-

ods, but have traveled out of fresh water areas into salt water to travel to another fresh

water area. Alligators will feed on almost anything. The greatest threat is destruction of

habitat due to pollution or building.

May 27– East Pass

Marina Exhibit Guy’s Glass encloses exhibit.

April 7-Butch Cheek donated

the bailing basket that was used

on the seine boat Primrose.

Measuring 2 foot across and

1 1/2 foot deep, fishermen

collected fish from the seine net.

Ropes on each side helped the

men lift the heavy load.

Preserving the Heritage of the World’s Luckiest Fishing Village

Newsletter printed

courtesy of

Xerox

TAX TIME IS

COMING !!!

Looking

FOR A

tax deductible

source

Tuesday - Saturday

10am to 4pm

Destin History & Fishing Museum

Museum Board of Directors

Executive Board President: Don Rogers Vice President: Lloyd Taylor

Secretary: Terry Long Treasurer: John Lefler

General Board: Janie Browing, Richard Derek, Parker Destin, Norm Hall, Tina Harbuck,

Terri Hensley, Dan Martin, Mike Spigelmire, Russell Wamble

Executive Director Kathy Marler Blue

Museum Docent: Dave Fraser & Carole Marler

Museum Volunteer:s Johnie Blue, Tona Newland, Connie Walter

Newsletter Writer and Editor Kathy Marler Blue

DHFM

P.O. Box 548

Destin, FL 32540-0548

Destin History and Fishing Museum is a non profit organization whose members are dedicated to

preserving, documenting, and sharing the complete history of Destin. There are limitless ways you, your friends, and associates can be part of realizing these efforts. Now more than ever we can use your support. Your donation or membership is tax deductible.

Please fill out the form below and mail it to the museum.

Yes, I Give My Support! Name___________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________ E-Mail ______________________________________

Membership/Amount $20_______ $ 50________ $ 100 ________ $250 _________ $ Other ___________ Check # ______________ If you would like to pay by credit card please call the Museum and have

your credit card ready.

Mail to: Destin History and Fishing Museum P.O. Box 548 Destin, Florida 32540-0548

Thank you. Without your faithful and generous donations and efforts, the museum would not exist today.

Join or Renew Your Membership Today

Phone: 850-837-6611

E-mail:

kathydestinhistory@gmail.com

Website:

destinhistoryandfishingmuseum.org

PLEASE MAIL YOUR

DONATION TO:

DESTIN HISTORY &

FISHING MUSEUM

108 STAHLMAN AVE.

DESTIN, FL 32541

Donation

Tax Receipts are

available for your

donations to the Destin

History & Fishing

Museum

Admission: Adults: $5

Seniors & Military: $4

Students: $3

Kids 6 & Under

and Members : Free