FLAGLER BEACH -- Tucked behind City Hall, the outside appearance of the Flagler Beach Historical Museum is neat and nondescript.
But step inside the carefully appointed space and you may find it hard to leave.
On one wall, rows of black and white photos invite eyes to stare at each one. Display cases filled with ancient mammoth bones, American Indian pottery and old city records require long, serious study. Collages on the north end of the room detailing a few of the city's earliest families command undivided attention.
Among those depicted in the photos are A.V and Etta Wickline, the grandparents of museum board president Catherine Wilson. The Wicklines were among the first families to settle in what was then known as Ocean City. Together, they operated a mercantile store; Etta Wickline served as the city's postmaster.
Their son -- and Wilson's father -- George, once was a Flagler Beach mayor.
Wilson said she loves to tell visitors stories about the people and places featured in the photos. Many who were around during the city's early days have passed on or moved away, making the museum and its docents the city's strongest link to its past, she said.
"I think people need (to hear) the stories to realize what was here," Wilson said.
The Flagler Beach Historical Museum has come a long way from its humble beginnings following the city's 75th anniversary celebration in 2000.
That's when a group of citizens would dig out photos and collections of Flagler Beach "stuff" to exhibit on Fridays in the City Commission chambers, Wilson said.
The displays -- which included city-owned items -- attracted lots of attention and prompted the push for a permanent building, Wilson said.
After much campaigning and fundraising, the museum's home opened in September 2001.
It now is among the city's gems and will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in conjunction with the city's 85th birthday celebration in April.
It's blossomed into full-service gallery that boasts exhibits about city and Flagler County history and offers a roster of programs and activities for history buffs of all ages, said Terri Pruden, the museum's director.
Pruden links the museum's success to the hard work and dedication of the town's citizens and government officials.
"The reason it works and works so well is because it's such a small community," she said. "It's resonated with everyone."
About 5,000 people visited the museum last year to see exhibits that range "from the Stone Age to the Space Age," Pruden said.
Many visitors are eager to not only learn about Flagler Beach's history but also share their stories, said volunteer Alita Peddle. "A lot of the fun of volunteering at the museum is talking to people who have been here for years," she said.
Pruden's association with the museum began in 2001 and she's now its only paid employee. The museum has about 20 volunteer docents who handle operations like answering phones and greeting visitors, while about 30 more volunteers assist in planning fundraising events, Pruden said.This group is the foundation of the museum, said Mayor Alice Baker.
"We are very fortunate to have the volunteers we have that take an interest in the museum," she said earlier this week at Joseph's Bistro during a luncheon to honor the group.
The museum stays afloat financially thanks to membership dues, gift shop sales and grants from the city of Flagler Beach and the Flagler County Tourist Development Council, Pruden said.
An annual fundraising gala also adds to the museum's budget, she said.
New challenges, however, are presenting themselves as the museum enters another decade.
Pruden said the museum is at risk of losing its storage space, forcing officials to search for a unit that's large enough to accommodate numerous artifacts.
And recent talk about a government complex that could feature a new City Hall, museum and community center has prompted the appointment of a planning committee to study the museum's future needs, Pruden said.
The road ahead, however, is bright, according to Wilson.
"I would like for it to grow, to show all of the county and never go away," she said. "So that all people, visitors and residents alike can see where we came from and understand us."
