Levy County Historical Society

ABOUT US

Levy County was formed on March 10, 1845, and became Florida’s 27th county. One week earlier on March 3, 1845, Florida joined the Union as the 27th state. The county was named in honor of David Levy Yulee, one of Florida’s first two elected US Senators and father of the Florida Railroad. Levy County has a rich history and heritage which is intertwined with the lives of the early pioneers who made the county their home. The county’s abundant natural resources have drawn men and women from around the world to make their fortunes. The completion of Florida’s first cross-Florida railroad from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico in 1861 provided the means for those men and women to share those resources with the world.

OUR NEW HEADQUARTERS

The new year of 2020 delivered good news for the members and friends of the Levy County Historical Society. President Toni Collins negotiated the purchase of the historic Henry and Rilla White Youth Foundation building located in Bronson, Florida. Through the generosity of the White’s grandson, William “Bill” Schossler, the Historical Society became the proud owners of the property pictured above at 4:00 PM on December 31, 2019.

Many Bronson residents remember when the two-story building was built by the White Family in 1950 and served the community as a grocery store until 1988. In honor of his maternal grandparents, Bill founded the White Youth Foundation in 1992 and utilized the building as the headquarters. Bill served as the CEO until his retirement in 2013. Collins admitted she has had her eye on the building for eight years and looks forward to the official opening.. Currently, the first floor is being renovated to remove walls and open

up a room to be used for workshops, displays, and speakers. The two-five room suites on the second floor will be established as the Levy County Historical Museum. The Society’s Board of Directors plans to apply for grants and present fund raising events to provide computers and copiers for patrons. Volunteers will assist individuals who seek to learn more about the history of Levy and other Florida counties and also research their family history. The Society headquarters will set aside one wall which will be designated as the LEVY COUNTY PIONEER wall. Persons interested in having their family names permanently entered on the wall should contact Toni Collins at levycountyhistory@gmail.com or call (352) 490-5636 for details.