Our Founders
Elizabeth Grossenbacher
President
Mayor John H. Land
Vice-President
Reba Evans
Treasurer / Recording Secretary
Edward A. Miner
curator
Harry P. Witherington
Librarian
Mildred S. Whiteside
Member at large
Kathleen Stewart
member at large
Mary Lee Welch
Corresponding Secretary
Celebrating Mr. Edward A. Miner:
One of our Original Founders!!!
June 2023
In 1968, Mr. Edward A. Miner’s exhibit of Early Apopka artifacts at the 1967 Folk Festival in Apopka inspired the formation of the Apopka Historical Society. He obtained forms for incorporation and secured the use of three rooms in the former school building that had become Apopka City Hall. Mr. Miner served as the first curator for the Apopka Historical Society.
We salute him!!!
Celebrating Mrs. Elizabeth M. Grossenbacher:
One of our Original Founders!!!
July 2023
In 1968, Elizabeth M. Grossenbacher was among a small group of Apopka ladies who initiated the idea of and helped organize the Apopka Historical Society. She was elected the first president of the society. When the AHS was able to open the Museum of the Apopkans, she at times served as a curator, docent, and docent instructor. Being a retired elementary teacher, she also became a volunteer presenter to take museum programs to public schools. In doing so, she became Orange County Public Schools’ first official Additions volunteer. Her family is still a big part of the Society she helped found.
We salute her!
Celebrating Former Mayor John Land:
One of our Original Founders!!!
August 2023
Did you know that Mayor John Land was the first elected vice-president of the Apopka Historical Society when it became incorporated in 1970? After John Land failed to be re-elected Mayor of Apopka for the first time in his career, he devoted his time to helping build the Apopka Historical Society and open its first museum. When John Land was about a year old, his father moved the family to Apopka, FL. Throughout his participation with the Apopka Historical Society, John would tell colorful stories about his experiences in old Apopka. He was a valuable primary source to our collection of early Apopka History!
We salute him!
Celebrating Mrs. Reba Evans:
One of our Original Founders!!!
September 2023
Mrs. Reba Evans was the first elected secretary of the Apopka Historical Society in 1970. She grew up in Central Florida, having been born and raised in Kissimmee, FL. She and her husband, William S. (Bill) Evans, moved to Apopka in the mid-1940’s. Reba was a practicing nurse. At one time, she was a “Gray Lady” (school nurse) that worked at Apopka Memorial High School. She was also an active participant in groups of the First United Methodist Church of Apopka and other community groups. Did you know she helped establish a kindergarten program that later became known as “Tiny Tots” in Apopka!
We salute her!
