Anyone who has owned a property that’s well in excess of 100 years old knows the pride and joy — and painstaking patience it takes — in keeping it in good repair, year after year.
And often it comes with the realization you can’t do it alone.
Such is the case with the historic Barnacle estate, the 1891 home of Coconut Grove’s most revered pioneer, Commodore Ralph Munroe. As the oldest home in Miami-Dade County on its original site, The Barnacle has withstood almost 120 years of tropical winds, storm surges, and other harsh conditions that come with being situated directly on the shore of Biscayne Bay.
Even back then it took enormous care and attention to keep up with the maintenance work the estate deserves and demands.
Thanks to the efforts of the Barnacle Society, that work continues today, allowing tens of thousands of visitors annually to get a rare glimpse of old Florida during the “Era of the Bay.”
Thanks for Your Support
As 2019 begins, the board of the Barnacle Society is expressing gratitude to its membership, friends, event performers, and participants who helped out over the past year.
“Your exceptional participation and financial support is what makes the Society such an important partner with this state park,” said board president John Palenchar.
In a January e-newsletter, the Barnacle Board thanked everyone who had donated to the Society in 2018, above and beyond the regular membership, through individual contributions and during last year’s Give Miami Day.
With the help of those donations, one of the most important projects facing the board — installation of the fire suppression system in the main house and boathouse — is nearing completion.
“Moving forward, we have other projects that need funding help, including the repair of the dock and the pavilion roof and floor,” Palenchar added.
For those who missed 2018 Give Miami Day, their support of this amazing park is still welcome in the form of a direct donation to The Barnacle Society.
How to Contribute
Contributions are tax-exempt, and for those taking a required IRA distribution, they can allocate and transfer a portion of this distribution to a qualified charity of your choice. This is termed a “Qualified Charitable Distribution” or QCD.
“Based on your specific tax situation this may afford a tax savings, while fulfilling your charitable giving goals. You should consult your tax advisor to see if this can be a ‘win’ for both you and The Barnacle Society,” Palenchar noted.
Meanwhile, the show must go on. Throughout the year, The Barnacle Society presents numerous other activities including outdoor films and myriad family fun and cultural events — all to raise funds to support the historic state park.
Upcoming Concerts
In terms of musical events alone, here’s a look at the lineup of “Concerts Under the Moonlight” at The Historic Barnacle State Park through May:
- February 9 – Indie folk artist Keith Johns;
- March 9 – Miami-based indie-folk band, American Darling Valve;
- April 13 – Fusion folk Americana duo Jennings & Keller, and
- May 11 – Modern day troubadour Beth Woods.
The Barnacle was built in 1891 by Ralph Middleton Munroe, who founded the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club and held the position of commodore there for 22 years.
Situated on the shore of the bay, this was home for Munroe, whose principal passion was designing yachts. In his lifetime, he drew plans for 56 different sailboats. As a seaman, civic activist, naturalist, and photographer, Commodore Munroe cherished the natural world around him.
Palenchar says a walk into the park through its tropical hardwood hammock provides each guest a glimpse of Miami’s original landscape in the 1920s.
“The first view of the house, the bay, and the egret are simply awe-inspiring. Visitors are always invited to enjoy this truly amazing venue from the vantage point of a rocking chair on the spacious front porch and savor the splendor and solitude that define The Barnacle,” he said.
About the Barnacle
The Barnacle Historic State Park is administered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and events are sponsored by The Barnacle Society Inc.
The Barnacle Society Inc. is a volunteer nonprofit, citizen-support organization created to generate public awareness, education, and financial support for the preservation and maintenance of The Barnacle Historic State Park. Its membership is a sustainable network of diverse, dedicated supporters actively engaged in preserving the past and assuring the future of The Barnacle Historic State Park in Coconut Grove.
For donation information, visit www.thebarnacle.org/donate. For general information, to become a volunteer, or to learn about Barnacle Society membership, call 305-442-6866 or visit www.floridastateparks.org/park/The-Barnacle and www.TheBarnacle.org.
