This year has gotten off to a busy start with the move of the Brevard Historical Commission collection to the Central Brevard Library in Cocoa. The Historical Commission was created by ordinance in 1979 by the County Commission to "collect, arrange, record and preserve historical material and data relating to the history of the county and of the state." The commission itself is made up of 15 unpaid members appointed by our five county commissioners and administrative support will be provided by existing library staff. While we have been managing the collection and answering inquiries since May of last year, it was still at another location. Last week everything was carefully packed up and moved to the second floor of the library where it will be housed adjacent to the genealogy collection. The commission's collection is made up of everything from old photographs to antique furniture, maps, early newspapers and archaeological items. 
Brevard County in 1856
While the collection is not open to the public for browsing, due to the rarity and delicate condition of many of the items, it is cataloged and items can be retrieved for researchers by staff. In addition to saving the taxpayers money by combining services, the collection will be more accessible than in the past due to the library's extended hours. The library's concrete building with hurricane shutters also offers more protection than its former location.
For those of you interested in our local history the commission has several projects you might want to check out. The three volume set of Brevard
County history books is fascinating and their quarterly journal of history is another winner!
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