PANHANDLE PIONEER SETTLEMENT INC

Description

Our founders, Willard and Linda Smith, first envisioned the Settlement years before it became a reality. As people who lived the pioneer lifestyle, the Smiths realized that the values and traditions of the past were being lost as time progressed. The Smith's desire was to preserve the pioneering traditions that formed the foundations of the Florida Panhandle. With a dedicated group of other historic-preservation enthusiasts - and with perseverance, commitment and passion - the Smiths established the Settlement. Through a land-grant lease from Calhoun County, the Settlement was able to move its first buildings and materials from their original locations to preserve the pioneer lifestyle and stand as a living-history experience to educate future generations. As a public, educational institution, the Settlement's vision is to:

• Preserve the pioneer lifestyle for future generations;
• Encourage interest in the stories and ways of the past;
• Provide relevant and creative educational programs, performances, exhibits and visitor experiences;
• Create an inviting environment where ideas are shared and gathered.