History is fragile when not preserved

Marina Berkovich, JHSSWF President

We live in a virtual world — online, YouTube, Zoom, websites, bulk email, electronic calendar, Evite, Gotomeeting and all the many imperative tools of modern day. As we modernize and deal with COVIDimposed restrictions and limitations of our socialization, we get concerned that our on-the-grid presence is not a forever condition.

Happy birthday to Fort Myers, founded on Feb. 14, 1850. The city was named after Abraham C. Myers, grandson of a cantor, West Point grad and participant of all three Seminole wars. But he never lived there, and Jewish presence came in early 20th century.

Further south, in modern-day Naples, Weeks, Wiggins and Haldeman were the first three European last names. No Jews among them, as history goes. The Weeks trace their roots here to a Civil War deserter. Wiggins Pass kind of gives away that family history of post-Civil War squatters. William Haldeman, the official “founder” of Naples, got there later and, by 1889, built a home, a pier and a 16-room hotel, together with fellow Kentuckian, Mexico and Civil War Gen. John S. Williams. Haldeman, a shrewder businessman, bought out the general, and ended up owning the land from where the future Port Royal would arise to the Moorings.

But newcomers have always pushed out even the shrewdest of Naples shrews, and so the land that held the very first Naples hotel, Haldeman House, the oldest standing building in town, the iconic face of the city, was moved out of Naples to Bonita Springs in 2006. It was a sad day for Naples’ old-timers, and I remember it well. I was still a relative newcomer, but, to me, always, historical importance dwells in places as well as in faces and stories. I wondered then, why this wealthy city couldn’t get together to save its historical landmark. Why does everything old have to be sacrificed to that powerful king named “Development” or evil queen named “Progress?”

As years go by, as we build our own contribution to the legacy of Southwest Florida, I wonder if the winds of history will swipe our work off its place as easily and as carelessly as the Haldeman House hotel. Who of the newcomers even knows about that now? Did you? Everyone knows Palm Cottage, the oldest standing house in Naples, because the yesteryear old-timers had the wisdom to build Naples Historical Society, and a museum in that location gets huge funding and publicity. That house was built by Walter Haldeman and over a 1 million visitors experienced the 1895 two-story cottage over the decades, including quite a few notables.

Some day, in the not-too-distant year, we hope to have a stationary home. For now, we exist virtually and as the Society grows, we need your help in carrying out a mission of historical preservation and education. You can start helping by joining or renewing. Family membership is $54; individual membership is $36; student membership is $18; and corporate sponsorship is $300.

Please join online by entering the appropriate amount or mail checks to The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida, 8805 Tamiami Trail North, Suite #255, Naples FL 34108.

We can be reached at 833-547-7935 (833-JHS-SWFL), www.jhsswf.org or office@jhsswf.org. The Virtual Museum of SWFL Jewish History is located online at http://jewishhistorysouthwest florida.org/.

The Jewish Historical Society of Southwest Florida is a section 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Contributions are deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.