Local Museum’s future looks bright with land donation from Ruckel Properties

The .08-acre parcel donated by Ruckel Properties is adjacent to the Museum on Westview Avenue in Valparaiso. Among other things, the land will be used for heritage festivals, Saturday in the Park, and Yule of Yesteryear which showcase Northwest Florida’s unique history and culture.

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida has received a land donation from Ruckel Properties, Inc. which will help the museum grow and continue its mission to education the public about the heritage and culture of our area.

The .08-acre parcel donated by Ruckel Properties is adjacent to the Museum on Westview Avenue in Valparaiso. Among other things, the land will be used for heritage festivals, Saturday in the Park, and Yule of Yesteryear which showcase Northwest Florida’s unique history and culture.

“With this land donation, I am continuing the Ruckel and Plew families’ tradition of honoring the past while building the future,” said Marion Ruckel Skalicky, President and CEO of Ruckel Properties, Inc.

Through exhibits, programs, and events, the Museum preserves and promotes the history of Northwest Florida. Ruckel Properties’ donation will help the Museum continue its mission through a future expansion.

“The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is a worthy cause.  It is the keeper of our local history and an educational resource,” said Ruckel Skalicky. “My late father, C. Walter Ruckel, Jr., supported the Museum with annual contributions, serving on the Board of Trustees, and volunteering with the Niceville-Valparaiso Rotary for the Museum’s annual Saturday in the Park Festival,”

The Heritage Museum currently hosts a series called Heritage Alive! Craft Classes where a variety of traditional heritage crafts are taught such as basket weaving, knitting, crocheting, soap making, wood turning, blacksmithing, and more.

“We are extremely excited about the potential growth of our museum,” said Gina Marini, Manager, Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida. “This Museum relies on the community to support our preservation efforts and we are very grateful to Marion Ruckel Skalicky and Ruckel Properties for their generous contribution and confidence in us to keep history alive for future generations.  Ruckel Properties is part of our history and now, they are making history.”

The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is a 501C3 organization that serves to collect, preserve and study historical artifacts pertaining to the region and to education the public through exhibits, tours, public programs and cultural events.

PHOTO (TOP):  (L to R) Marion Ruckel Skalicky and Gina Marini stand near an old long-leaf pine tree on the land recently donated to the Museum by Ruckel Properties, Inc.