Apalachicola Area Historical Society Spring Speaker Series

The Apalachicola Area Historical Society (AAHS) is hosting a program about the establishment and significance of Camp Gordon Johnston in coastal Franklin County presented by Lisa Keith-Lucas, Museum Archivist, as part of their Spring Speaker Series. She will discuss the camp’s role as an amphibious training center, its operations, the rigorous training soldiers endured, and notable figures connected to it. Lisa will also share how the Camp Gordon Johnston Museum was established to preserve this history. Attendees can view rare artifacts, including some not typically on display. The event is on Tuesday, April 8, from 5 to 6:30 pm at the Raney Carriage House, 126 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL.

Camp Gordon Johnston, opened in 1942, was strategically chosen for its harsh conditions and geographic features, mirroring battle environments like Normandy and the Pacific. Despite, or perhaps because of, the site’s extreme conditions, the camp quickly became a crucial amphibious training center,  as well as playing a vital role in training infantry divisions, engineer brigades, and specialized units, eventually preparing over 250,000 troops before closing in 1946.

The Camp Gordon Johnston Museum was founded in 1996 after a successful reunion of veterans who had trained there. Enthusiasm for preserving the camp’s history led to the establishment of the museum, which now serves as a tribute to those who trained in its grueling conditions. The museum preserves artifacts, documents, and oral histories, ensuring that the sacrifices and experiences of the soldiers remain a lasting legacy.

Lisa Keith-Lucas is the dedicated archivist at Camp Gordon Johnston Museum and has been instrumental in uncovering the stories of soldiers who trained there. With meticulous research, she has worked to identify and document their names, hometowns, and final resting places, often facing significant gaps in historical records. A retired science educator with degrees in chemistry and geosciences, she applies an analytical approach to historical research. Her passion for WWII history stems in part from her mother’s experiences in Nazi-occupied Norway. Lisa has been an essential part of the museum for over 8 years, serving on its board before stepping into her current role preserving the artifacts and stories of the past, ensuring that the sacrifices of these soldiers are not forgotten.

These Speakers events are part of a well-established, popular series by the Apalachicola Area Historical Society. Local and tourist history enthusiasts have gathered for these informative talks for a number of years. Seating is limited so come early to get a spot. For more information, please call and leave a message at (850) 653-1700, email to AAHS.Raney@gmail.com, or online at www.apalachicolahistoricalsociety.org. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.