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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
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