The Christmas and New Year holidays bring on childlike excitement in both children and adults. Part of the emotions spring from the anticipation of giving and receiving gifts. When the Train Depot on Russell Street in Brooksville opened in 1885, it became a hub of shipping and receiving some of those gifts. Hernando County was a large producer of citrus between devastating freezes. Tangerines were the big seller. In 1933, Senator Hugh Hale sent a box of Brooksville tangerines to President Elect Franklin Roosevelt while he was in Warm Springs, GA. A copy of FDR’s thank you note is included in Alfred A. McKethan’s book Hernando County Our Story. Today, the Depot museum has a display of citrus crates, a grove smudge pot, and various citrus packer crate labels. The colorful labels are also available in the May-Stringer gift shop. There are both individual labels and framed items available.
The Museums are open! Reservations are recommended. The May-Stringer – Tours Thursday, Friday & Saturday. 352-799-0129
The 1885 Depot – Tours Wednesday, Friday & Saturday. 352-799-4766
The Countryman One Room Schoolhouse – By appointment. 352-515-3054 or 630-464-2313
