Maitland A&H Summer Blog Entry 6

 This week has been an interesting week. Six weeks in, the motto "Semper Gumby" still rings true. This week, the interns and I could not show up immediately as the Museum had a critical guest come. The announcement was last minute, and I was told to wait and come later in the day. For those who have never worked in a museum setting, being flexible with time management is crucial as anything can be happy.  

Once we were able to attend the Museum, we were only able to spend a few hours working. I could only work for just 2 hours before going for the day. My time there meant I could not finish the Waterhouse box, but I will complete it next week.

In this week's blog post, I will discuss the Waterhouse family, who they were, and why they are an essential part of Maitland. The starting point for the Waterhouse family history starts during the Civil War. Where William H. Waterhouse would fight in the New York Cavalry and be wounded and captured by the Confederates and sent to Andersonville. After the war, William H. Waterhouse would return to New York, but his health would deteriorate, and he moved to the new town of Maitland in 1884. William would build his house and many of the other first buildings of Maitland. He would become one of the first government officials for Maitland. The reputation of the Waterhouse name quickly became a well-known name in the Central Florida area. 

While his health worsened, he would invite his daughter Stella and his son Charles to Maitland. Both Children would become essential figures of Maitland, just like their parents. Charles, like his father, would take part in serving his country and help overseas during World War I. Stella would become Maitland's Librarian and work until a few years until her death.

  William lived a long life and passed away in 1923, and his wife Sarah would follow soon after in 1924. It would only be a few years later when Charles would also pass away in 1927. Charles would have two important daughters who would follow their family's legacy. His daughter Alice and Helen would help set up the Maitland historical society and keep Maitland's history available. Being a ceremony citizen of Maitland, Stella would help push and keep Maitland growing until her death. Before her death, she would help open Maitland's newest post office and other essential buildings. Stella would pass away in 1966 at the age of 95.

Today the Waterhouse family is not around in Maitland anymore with the death of Helen as Alice married. The family's legacy matters not only to Maitland history but also to Florida history. The family was a pioneer family that helped build up to Florida in more ways than I have mentioned, as they have done so much. For those who are unaware, there are chapters written on the Waterhouse family and the legacy that they left.

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