Tourism Council Recommends $12,000 to Support Olustee Reenactment, Museum Effort

The Baker County Tourist Development Council voted to recommend a $12,000 funding request to the Baker County Board of County Commissioners to support the annual Battle of Olustee reenactment and related museum work.

The request was presented by Mr. Dickinson, who asked the council to forward the TDC recommendation after outlining recent developments around the reenactment and a proposed museum project. "One of the big ones is our state representative, Chuck Granite, got $400,000 for us to go towards the museum project, which appears to have put a little bit on the gas pedal on the state side," Mr. Dickinson said. He also said a private donor connected with Hill Truck Rental had pledged about $1 million toward the museum and that the American Battlefield Trust had shown interest.

Council members discussed event logistics and recent revenue impacts. Mr. Dickinson said parking restrictions along the state road, imposed after a state highway patrol safety concern, had forced the use of shuttle buses and hurt attendance: "Last year with the weather, like it was in the rain, we took about a $20,000 hit," he said. He described the reenactment as one of the few major events held on actual battlefield land and noted the U.S. Forest Service charges a 5% fee on gate receipts for use of the property.

A motion from Mr. Norton, seconded by Mr. Hartley, recommended approval of the $12,000 request to the county commissioners. The council carried the motion by voice vote. The motion was recorded as a recommendation to the county commission rather than a direct disbursement of funds.

Mr. Dickinson provided additional event details during discussion: the reenactment community reported positive feedback from participants after last year’s centennial-type milestone (the presenter described last year as the 160th anniversary and said this year is the 161st), and organizers hope private and state funding will help move the museum project forward and potentially open opportunities to acquire nearby land from Weyerhaeuser. He also cited other in-kind and small contributions from regional partners including the Blue Gray Army and Columbia County.

The council noted next steps: the $12,000 recommendation will appear on the county commission agenda (the county commission meeting was cited as Feb. 18) and the county finance office typically requires business days to process payment if approved. Council members asked staff to follow up with the county finance office on timing and requested updated monthly revenue and balance information for TDC accounts.

The council approved the recommendation and the meeting moved on to other agenda items.