Blanchard House Museum & Military Heritage Museum

Proudly Co-Present a Very Special Event:

Meet the Author, Book Signing and Lecture with John Saucer

AN WE OB JUBILEE

The First South Carolina Volunteers

During the American Civil War more than 2,000 regiments of infantry, cavalry and artillery mustered to fight in the conflict. Re-discover a regiment very little is known about: The first black regiment in the Union Army, the first to fight against Confederate soldiers and the first to be brigaded with white regiments—the 1st South Carolina Volunteers

May 30, 2019

Participation in the lecture and book signing events are free at each locations

1:00 PM Lecture at the Military Heritage Museum; 900 West Marion Ave, Punta Gorda

2:00 PM Reception and Book Signing at the Blanchard House Museum; 406 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Punta Gorda

"Oh, praise an' tanks! De Lord he come
To set de people free;
An' massa tink it day ob doom,
An we ob jubilee."

The Blanchard House Museum of African American History and Culture of Charlotte County is an open access, educational institution devoted to the procurement, preservation, study, and display of artifacts and materials related to the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans in the settlement and development of Charlotte County and Southwest Florida. Originally located 3 blocks from its present location, the house was built in 1925 and was moved in 2002.  It was built for the owner, local fisherman Joseph Blanchard and his wife Minnie.  He was born in St. Augustine, and had been a steam boat pilot, and she was a mail order bride from Louisiana.

Private Joseph Cryer of Captain C T Trowbridge's Company A of the First Infantry Regiment of Carolina Volunteer was Joseph Blanchard's grandfather on his mother' side. He was a member of the 1st Regiment of SC Volunteers having been enlisted into the 1st Regiment of SC Volunteers at St. Augustine on the 15th day of January 1863 to serve 3 years. He was discharged on the 21 day of May 1865, at Beaufort, South Carolina.

The Military Heritage Museum was founded in 2001 as a place for veterans, their families and friends, to donate their military medals, uniforms, mementos and other artifacts to help visitors understand military heritage. Through its existence, over 20,000 artifacts, books, photographs have been donated to the Military Heritage Museum.

The Military Heritage Museum recently moved to its new location: 900 W. Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda FL, which is just a few steps away from Fishermen's Village. The Museum now has over 17,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and activity areas. On the first level, visitors take a walk-in history through three unique galleries; from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts. Another popular gallery is the Hall of Hero's gallery and its special Medal of Honor exhibit. On the second level visitors become part of history, through simulations and virtual reality including aircraft, tank, and naval simulators. Other popular activity areas include the War Room, Academy Library and the 247-seat Gulf theater.