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Jan. 9--DESTIN -- The World's Luckiest Fishing Village earned its title way before towering condos and thousands of tourists flocked to the harbor city. A museum offers yet another proof.
The Destin History and Fishing Museum opened in October, housing artifacts and pictures that date to the gulfside community's beginnings.
It has been almost 10 years since the museum's contents have been displayed under one roof, and more than 900 people have perused glimpses into Destin's past since the museum opened.
"We have a lot of people who come in and don't know about Destin's fishing history," said Jean Melvin, the museum's director. "We can let people know we weren't always just condominiums."
The museum offers a look at life before the sugar-white sand on area beaches became a worldwide attraction.
Glass cases with Native American pottery and women's accessories line the walls between lifelike exhibits of early homes in Destin.
But the biggest conversation piece within the museum's walls is an aquarium-like showcase that runs almost the entire length of the main exhibit room. Inside are preserved fish caught off Destin's coast.
"To be able to watch the people as they come in is really very special," Melvin said. "They don't really realize that size (of) fish are caught here."
Melvin's other favorite thing to see are the expressions on people's faces when they recognize the name of a grandparent or relative in a picture.
"It's a lot of fun," she said.
City Councilman Cyron Marler is one of those people. He said his great-great-grandfather is represented in the museum.
"The museum has really done a great job," Marler said. "I hope a lot of people new to Destin come to see our history."
In addition to everything already housed in the Destin History and Fishing Museum, museum board member Tony Mennillo said he sees the facility becoming much more.
He said he believes it will become a major attraction and may even encompass a way for artifacts to tour the area.
"It really promotes Destin, the fishing and our heritage," Mennillo said. "How can you possibly look into the future without taking a look into the past?"
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Copyright (c) 2006, Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach
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