HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory_Program_Camelot Historic & Cultural Center1
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~A nv~i iE i~~~~
Historic
& Cultural Center
Preserving the Treasures
of Nature
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Welcome to
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management Team
Our local citizens take great pride in
protecting the Coast Guard woodland as if it
were our own beautiful park.
Citizen
' developing a
rights-of-way
tract.
ii
committees worked many weeks
landscape plan for the road
bordering the Coast Guard wooded
The landscaped borders are seen by over
75,000 motorists daily on U.S. Highway 1 and
County Highway 707.
The turf grass border serves as a
safeguard strip against fire spreading to the
woods from cigarettes discarded by motorists.
Fire-rescue, police, utilities,. water
mains, and sanitary waste pickup guard the
Coast Guard land from vandalism, littering,
illicit trespassing, lightning firestorms; and
provide rescue in the event of flooding and.
hurricanes.
Since the Coast Guard fronts on the
Intracoastal Waterway, it is ideally suited as
a site for CAMELOT Historic & Cultural
Center. Federal, state, county and local
governments should work together cooperatively
in planning and management of the land, with a
mutual plan that inspires the pride and civic
input of our taxpayers who contribute to its
beautification, preservation, and upkeep.
~A VII lE IL~~~
Historic
& Cultural Center
Preserving the Treasures of Nature
PROSPECTUS
Compiled by
Carlton D. Stoddard
Mayor Emeritus
Tequesta, Florida
1996
Th77e~~ C~~oMMncepggt of ~~+
!~-1~?'H~JL.r~ A
Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment
That was known as...
Camelot.
King Arthur's unforgettable song from "Camelot"...the
timeless stage play...brings back the echoes of England's
legendary history.
That shining moment can be re-created and perpetuated
' on the shore of the Intracoastal Waterway on surplus Coast
Guard land.
The CAMELOT Historic 6~ Cultural Center is a concept
whose time has come. We must not let the opportunity to
achieve it slip from our grasp.
' Enhancing the site of CAMELOT is a forest of treasured
beauty. The conceptual CAMET~OT site plan pictures an
auditorium of seashell design, mirrored by a "Lady of the
' Lake" lagoon.
Vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, Loxahatchee River,
Intracoastal Waterway, and the famous Jupiter Inlet
Lighthouse are seen from panoramic windows.
An inner court is framed by a quadrangle of historical
exhibit rooms for archeological artifacts and shipwreclt
' treasures. Other sides of the quadrangle contain art,
crafts, and music studios. Meting rooms for community civic
groups could bring a unity of culture and learning unique in
' our Treasure Coast region cf Florida.
CAMELOT'S landscaping is planned to provide a nature
preserve inviting re-propagation of nearly extinct wildlife,
and rare plants like the four-petal paw paw, native to
southern Florida.
' There is a pressing need for an historic and cultural
center serving surrounding communities in Palm Beach and
Martin counties.
'
CAMELOT will cultivate the many talents of our gifted
youth and adults, and inspire stewardship of the
environmental resources of the Coast Guard land.
Stimulating the minds and skills of our citizens can
' indeed harmonize with preserving nature's creation.
Far-visioned cooperative planning can create a
priceless heritage.....
1 C
AMELOT Historic & Cultural Center on the Water-way.
Let This fie Our Shining Mornent.....
~ I~ ]E ]LE'A'
Working with Architect Paul Twitty and Landscape
Architect George Gentile, the Camelot Committee envisioned a
community center that would inspire the pride and
participation of all our citizens.
Surrounding communities on the Treasure Coast need a
"magnet" drawing us together...a commonality of interests in
the finer things in life.
We share a timeless tradition in our region of Florida
-- our love of nature, the harmony of good neighborliness,
the responsibility of caring for God's creation and each
other.
Let's cross the footbridge together.
Enter.... CAMELOT Historic ~ Cultural Center...
"Preserving the Treasures of Nature"
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Ca a of Cu to a Committee
' Sir John van Kesteven In 1692, Jonathan Dickenson landed on the sandy shores
General Manager
Blowing Rocks Muslc Festival of what is now called the TREASURE COAST of South East
'
Carlton D. Stoddard Florida. Two hundred years later, Palm Beach County
was founded with Boca Raton on the Southern flank, West
Mayor of Tequesta, Emeritus Palm Beach as a stabile nucleus and Jupiter/Tequesta as
a shining cultural cornice of the Northern Territory.
Earl L. Collings
'
Mayor of Tequesta, Emeritus This Twin-City has developed into a culture and sports-
Dr. Alicen J. McGowan minded community which, due to undreamed-of expansion is
Executive Director asking for progressive development . A sports stadium
'
Florida History Center and Museum will be built in the very near future. A symbol for
Cultural entertainment will have to follow to reach an
Richard Valentine equilibrium for everyone .
Executive Director
'
Burt Reynolds Institute
/or Theater Training
Culture is the signature of civilization !
Glenn Fetter Many regional organizations such as the Blowing Rocks
'
Board Member Music Festival, the Shakespeare Festival, Coastal
ughfhouseGallery,Tequesta Players, BRITT,Lighthouse Gallery, Florida History
Darren smith Center and Museum, etc. deserve a permanent architect-
'
General Manager ural structure in order to maintain and develop the
Juplter8eachResort cultural treasures of Northern Palm Beach County and
Southern Martin County and its exclusive neighbor,
' George G. Gentile Jupiter Island . CAMELOT can be this structure for the
President, GentileAssocfates present and for the future and for those who will profit
Landscape Architects from the visionary views of its citizens in 1996 .
' CAMELOT will be an ac or thos ho are willing to
crown the future .
' Sir John van Kest en
General Mgr: Blowing Rocks Music
Festival
' Chairman: Camelot Cultural Committee
President: Help the Hungry at Home
' 18397 S. E. Heritage Drive, Tequesta, Florida 33469
Telephone: (407) 747-2022't'Q Fax: (407) 747-0261
STH
SCHWAB, TWITTY & HANSER
ARCHITECTURAL GROUP, INC.
NORTHBRIDGE CENTER
515 NORTH FLAGLER DRIVE • SUITE 1400
WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA 33401
407/832-5599
February 14, 1996
Mr. Bruce Dawson
District Manager
The U.S. Department of the
Bureau of Land Management
411 Briarwood, Suite 404
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Ms. Faye Winters
Team Leader
Interior The U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
411 Briarwood, Suite 404
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Re: Camelot History and Cultural Center
Palm Beach County, Florida
Dear Mr. Dawson:
Please accept this letter as our expression of support, both personally and
professionally, on the proposed Camelot History and Cultural Center project to be
located on 10 to 12 acres of surplus Coast Guard land fronting the Intracoastal Waterway
in Tequesta, Florida. This would require only about one fifth of the Coast Guard's
surplus 50 acres.
It is felt that the Camelot History and Cultural Center would provide for a nature
preserve, exhibit rooms for archeological artifacts, and a much needed auditorium for
use by surrounding communities and the Florida History Center and Museum which is being
assigned to manage the Coast Guard's 80 acres of the Jupiter inlet Coast Guard track.
The Coast Guard's program of preserving wildlife and endangered plant species would be
enhanced by the Camelot Center. Camelot could combine the resources and facilities of
the State of Florida (which owns the Florida History Center and Museum), Palm Beach
County Parks and Recreation Department, the Village of Tequesta (which strongly endorses
the Camelot project) and civic groups from several communities actively participating
in the Camelot project planning.
w d respectfully request that you consider giving favorable approval to this
project as it w~ll benefit existing and future generations in the South Florida area.
Sincer~y3r;
~L" 'f Y , A
Princi
PMT/ kd
#AA0001593
ARCHITECTURE /COMPREHENSIVE PLANNING !INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE • AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS / NCARB
From the Drawing Pen of the Architect
Comes A~N~(]E~~~
Historic & Cultural Center
"Preserving tk~e Treasures of Nature"
They say the pen is mightier than the
sword. How true.
The conceptual site plan for CAMFr~OT by
Architect Paul Twitty proves it.
Oriented with the auditorium (designed like
a sea shell) facing the rising sun, Mr. Twitty's
colorful concept of CAMELOT uses its vantage
point on the Intracoastal Waterway to provide
scenic views in all directions.
Picture a large boulder in the "Lady of the
Lake" lagoon pierced by a giant gleaming
sword...the historic Excalibur.
Spotlit at night, it would be a majestic
landmark inviting the world to CAMELOT on the
Coast Guard's land on tie Int-racoastal yaterway.
CAMELOT COMMITTEE
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"Knights of the Round Table"
Sir John van Kesteren, Chairman Opera tenor
Founder of Help the Hungry at Home and
Blowing Rocks Music Festival
Carlton D. Stoddard, Mayor Emeritus, Tequesta, Florida
Admiral Thomas E. Morris, retired Rear Admiral
U.S. Navy
Darren Smith, General Manager, Jupiter Beach Resort
Hotel
Dr.Alicen-J. McGowan, Executive Director
Florida History Center ~ Museum
"Lady of the Lake"
Earl Collings, Mayor Emeritus, Tequesta, Florida
Robert McIntyre, Chairman, Development Committee
Florida History Center -S~ Museum
Glenn Fetter, Chairman, Building Committee
Lighthouse Gallery, Tequesta, Florida
Charles Blaine, President
Juno-Tequesta-Jupiter Chamber of Commerce
George Gentile, Landscape Architect
Director, Loxahatchee Environmental Control
District
Harry Messerschmidt Executive Director
Lighthouse Gallery Gallery Square North
Tequesta, Florida 33469
Vincent P. Amy Geologist
56 River Drive Tequesta, FL 33469
An Ideal Site for
.r~IM[]E]L~O~'~'
Historic ~ Cultural Center
Architect Paul Twitty and r,andscape Architect George
Gentile together produced the conceptual site plan for the
CAMELOT Historic ~ Cultural Center. It would be ideally
located on 10 to 12 acres of surplus Coast Guard land on the
Intracoastal Waterway.
Mirrored in a picturesque "Lady of the Lake" lagoon,
CAMELOT would be at the confluence of the Waterway, the
Loxahatchee River, and the Jupiter Inlet.
Parking would be on a grass-block area which would
absorb rainfall, like the green parking area at Coral Cove
county park on the Atlantic Ocean in Tequesta.
Restored native oak and sand pine trees would screen
the parking area.
CAMELOT landscaping would provide a nature preserve for
wildlife and native plant species now almost extinct.
Nature trails through a county park in surrounding
woods, with guided tours conducted by the Florida History
Center ~ Museum, would attract many visitors and provide
recreation for all ages...tots to elders.
1Frs 'a;; +1. S
:;~ $y
February 6, 1996'
Honorable Bruce Babbitt, Secretary
US Department of Interior
18th & C Streets, NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Mr. Secretary,
TELEFAX
(407) 546-5019
' I enclose a copy of a letter to state representative Tom Warner concerning the
potential of constructing "Camelot," a historical, environmental education center
proposed for surplus federal property managed by the Bureau of Land
Management.
I know the property well and believe an expert BLM team can design "Camelot"
to fit into the desirable goal of protecting a valuable natural site near the Hobe
' Sound National Wildlife Refuge and the equally nearby Nature Conservancy's
Blowing Rocks Preserve.
1 I hole you will request a full briefing paper from the Director of the BLM on the
possibility of permitting "Camelot" to be built within strict environmental
safeguards.
' With warmest best wishes,
. ~•
' Nathaniel P. Reed
~ ~~
attach.
cc: Rep. Tom Warner
' Mr. Carlton Stoddard
Editor's note:
' Nathaniel Reed is a former
Assistant Secretary of the U.S.
.Department of the Interior. Presently
he is a Director of the South Florida
' Water Management District, and a
Director of The Nature Conservancy.
He restored Blowing Rocks Parti to
' authentic natural beauty.
1\TATHANIEL PRYOR REED
POST OFFICE BOX 375
HOBE SOUNDS FLORIDA 33475
TELEPHONE
(407) 546-2666
Board of County Commissioners
Ken L. Foster, Chairman
Burt Aaronson, Viee Chairman
Karen T. Marcus
Carol A. Roberts
tiNarren H. Newell
Mary McCarty
A'Iaude Ford Lee
Mr. Earl Collings
32 Tradeswinds Circle
Tequesta, FL 33469
Dear Earl:
July 25, 1995
I enjoyed the opportunity to meet with you last week to discuss the
proposed Camelot Cultural Center and Nature Preserve.
It sounds like an exciting project, and I look forward to working with you in
to make this proposal a reality. By copy of this letter, I'm advising Dennis Eshleman,
Director of our Parks and Recreation Department and Richard Walesky, Director of
our Environmental Resources Management Department, to expect a call in the near
future to work with us in this regard.
In the interim, if I can be of any further assistance, please don't hesitate to
contact me. l
Sincerely,
~,.. .
re T. Mar s
un Commissioner
KTM/Cld
cc w/enc: Dennis Eshleman
Richard Walesky
County Administrator'
Robert Weisman '
"An Equal Opportunity - Affirmati~•e Action Employer"
a~,.oo,,,«yr,.ep,a„ P.O. Box 1989 Nest Palm Beach, Florida 33402-]989 (407) 355-2001 FAX: (407) 355-3990
' ~ RESOLUTION NO. 9 - 95f96
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY,
~~ FLORIDA, ERPRESSING VILLAGE COUNCIL SUPPORT
OF EFFORTS TO SECURE A PORTION OF U.S. COAST
' ~i GUARD PROPERTY BEING RETURNED TO THE BUREAU
OF LAND MANAGEMENT FOR LANDS FOR CULTURAL
FACILITIES AND A NATURE PRESERVE WITHIN THE
~ VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA.
1 i
i~ WHEREAS, the United States Coast Guard operates the Jupiter
~ Inlet Lighthouse Station on several parcels or tracts of
'~ land located generally at the northwest quadrant of the
' ~I Loxahatchee River and the Intracoastal Waterway, just west
~~ of the Jupiter Inlet in the Village of Tequesta and the Town
' it of Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Coast Guard is returning to the Bureau of
j Land Management 80 acres of land associated with the Jupiter
' Lighthouse, including Parcels A and B, which are located
within the Village of Tequesta, consisting of approximately
! 49.49 acres; and
WHEREAS, the Village of Tequesta, for many years, has
designated the land use for these properties to be
recreational and open-space (R/OP), which provides for
permitted uses including cultural and civic centers, as well
as conservation areas; and
' i WHEREAS, the cultural organizations in the Tequesta area
have experienced phenomenal growth in recent years,
;~ necessitating the need for bigger and more modern facilities
' ~ to accommodate these levels of participation; and
;~ WHEREAS, there is a shortage of land available for the
expansion of cultural facilities within the Tequesta area
' that can be reasonably afforded by these not-for-profit
organizations; and
1
WHEREAS, the people of Tequesta have always been closely
associated with the various artistic endeavors since the
inception of the Village, as evidenced by the location of
the Lighthouse Gallery and School of Art, the Burt Reynolds
Institute for Theatre Training, the Coastal Players Theatre
and the Blowing Rocks Music Festival, all located within the
Village of Tequesta; and
WHEREAS, a group of citizens have formed a committee for
the purpose of securing land for the aforementioned cultural
facilities and to provide an integrated nature preserve upon
appropriate portions of the land to be excessed by the U.S.
Coast Guard and managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
'I Section 1. The Village of Tequesta hereby states its
support of citizen efforts to secure lands for cultural
'~ facilities integrated with a nature preserve in order to
i enhance public access to the environmental resources to be
preserved and protected in this remnant of Florida Scrub,
while simultaneously providing land for the development of
i urgently needed cultural facilities serving the Northern
Palm Beach/Southern Martin County areas.
Section 2. The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta
hereby expresses the intention of the Village in working in
conjunction with the cultural organizations, citizens
committee, Bureau of Land Management, other agencies of the
Federal Government and Palm Beach County in securing these
lands for cultural facilities, in conjunction with a nature
preserve, in order to facilitate the utilization of this
property for the benefit of the public.
Section 3. The Village Manager is hereby authorized to
meet and confer with the various officers and officials of
the Bureau of Land Management, local cultural organization
representatives and concerned citizens, as may be required,
and to do all things necessary to carry out the purposes and
intent of this Resolution.
Section 4. The Village Clerk is directed to forward a copy
of this Resolution to appropriate officials of the Bureau of
Land Management; Florida's United States Senators; United
States Representative Mark Foley; Karen Marcus, Palm Beach
County District One Commissioner; the presiding officer of
each local cultural organization and applicable local
government agency heads having an interest in this matter.
Section 5. This Resolution shall take effect immediately
upon adoption.
THE FOREGOING RESOLUTION WAS OFFERED by Councilmember
Schauer who moved its adoption. The
motion was seconded by Councilmember Hansen ,
and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
FOR ADOPTION
Joseph N. Capretta
Ron T. Mackail
Carl C. Hansen
Elizabeth A. Schauer
AGAINST ADOPTION
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SIT cl9KTS CaTCton'D,$'to~daTd
106(j0~1l1LZ!!-~f'LiIC
?cqucsta, jloTUfa 33469
February
Mr.Bruce Dawson, District Manager
Mrs.Faye Winters, Team Leader
U.S. Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management
411 Briarwood Suite 404
Jackson, Mississippi 39205
Dear Mr. Dawson and Mrs. Winters:
8, 1995
We fully appreciate your need of a prospectus for the
CAMELOT Historic ~ Cultural Center proposed to be located on
the Coast Guard acres in Tequesta.
We are now completing the prospectus and will forward a
copy to you soon.
Two fine architects have contributed their s'cills in
producing a conceptual master site plan.
Architect Twitty agrees that excavation for CAMELOT and
the reflection lagoon could be closely monitored for
archaeological artifacts. Such discoveries and shipwrec?c
treasures could be exhibited in CAMELOT'S historical
studios.
Today we received a letter from Nathaniel Reed, former
Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior,
stating his endorsement of the CAMELOT project on the Coast
Guard land which he knows very well.
His letter states that he would welcome the CAMELOT
Historic & Cultural Center for its compatibility with the
Hobe Sound Wildlife Refuge and nearby Blowing Rocks
Preserve, which Mr.Reed and The Nature Conservancy restored
to natural beauty with native planting.
Mr.Reed is presently a Director of South Florida Water
Management District, and Director of The Nature Conservancy.
We are told that the Town of Jupiter is renewing its
lease for its balifield park on the Coast Guard land south
of Highway 707. This would seemingly preclude its use as a
site for the CAMELOT Historic ~ Cultural Center.
We are looking forward to a meeting with your Bureau of
Land Management team when your group comes to Florida.
' Most sincerely,,~(~
(/V'.
Carlton D. Stoddard, Mayor Emeritus
~ member of the Camelot Committee
1ATH.~1\IEL PR1'OR BLED
POST OFFICE BOt 3 i j
ROBE SOt'\D~ FLORID:1 33-~ i J
'I'EI.EYHO\ E
(~O i) S-lG-2Fi66
February 2, 1996
Mr. Carlton D. Stoddard
106 Golfview Drive
Tequesta, FL 33469
Dear Mr. Stoddard,
I have taken the liberty of sending a copy of your
letter to the Honorable Bruce Babbitt, Secretary of
Interior.
I enclose a copy of my letter supporting the concept
of Camelot which would be an extraordinary
educational center, worthy of my support.
Sincerely,
~a ~,
Nathaniel P. Reed 1
/J
enc.
Tr: 1. F: E'A
(~O i) 5-!(i-501 Sl
THE JUPITER COURIER Wednesday, December 13, 1995 A3
~ New proposal for cultural center
!i
it
For years, there has been a lot
of talk about building a cultural
center in the Jupiter-Tequesta
community -without any results.
We still don't have a center, but
now there is a new idea, and sev-
eral dedicated people are trying to
make it a reality.
The idea is to create a cultural
center that could include new fa-
cilities for Lighthouse Gallery and
the Burt Reynolds Institute for
Theatre Training, as well as a
branch of the Florida History
Center and Museum. There would
be a 750-seat theater, for use by
BRITT and special events such as
the annual Blowing Rocks Music
Festival, plus an outdoor stage,
courtyard, nature walk, sculppture
garden and maybe even perform-
tng arts schools. The whole opera- .
lion would be professionally man-
aged.
The site would be in Tequesta
on 11 acres that's now owned by
the federal government, on the
north side of State Road 707
along the Intracoastal Waterway,
just west of the bridge to Jupiter
Island.
Leading the drive for this center
is Sir John van Kesteren, the op-
era singer who lives in this com-
munity and has -long advocated
the construction of a cultural com-
plex. Working with him is a com-
tntttee of other local residents.
On Nov. 9, the Tequesta Village
Council voted 40 to support the
project, and directed Village Man-
ager Tom Bradford to work with
the committee. Bradford said he
subsequently attended one of the
group's meetings and is advising
the residents.
Long experience with plans for
various developments throughout
this area warns us to be careful
about jumping to any optimistic
conclusions, however appealing a
plan sounds. We have-heard other
proposals for cultural centers - a
couple of them on the site of the
present Lighthouse Plaza, and,
more recently, for property next to
the new county branch library in
Tequesta.
None of them have been imple-
mented. In fact, Bradford said last
week that talks for the village to
buy the property near the library;
have been halted, because the;
owner's asking price exceeds the
appraised value. Under that plan,
the village would havq:leased the
land, for a nominal fee, to Light-
house Gallery and BRITT -both
of which want larger quarters.
WnOp~~nWn/~~n n
V~~VUG=~L~~~W
The concept of creating a fa-
cility along State Road 707 -
presently ,called the Camelot Cul-
tural Center and Nature Preserve
- also will have to overcome ob-
stacles.
As noted, .the land is presently
in federal hands. Currently, Brad-
ford said, it's Coast Guard prop-
erty, although the Coast Guard is
expected to turn it over to the fed-
eral Bureau of Land Management.
The BLM will decide the pproper-
ty's fate -whether it can be used
for a cultural center. Van Kesteren
said his group already has com-
municated with the bureau, and a
representative of that agency will
come to Tequesta to look into the
project.
This hurdle will have to be the
first one cleared. If it is, the Cam-
elot project already will be ahead
of the other cultural center plans
- which never even reached the
point of obtaining land.
Another hurdle -which may
be the highest one T will be fi-
nancing the center, which van
Kesteren said could cost $6 mil-
lion to $7 million. Van Kesteren
said the money would have to
come from three sources: the or-
ganizations that use the facility
(particularly, one assumes, the gal-
lery and BRITT), other private
donations and government fund-
ing.
Other matters, too, must be
worked out, such as the exact size
of the center and environmental
concerns (the Tequesta resolution,
for example, expressed support for
"cultural facilities integrated with
a nature preserve").
We should recognize the hard
work ahead and not underestimate
the complexities involved. We
should not be naive.
Still, we should not let past dis-
This plan depicts the current thinking for the design of the pro-
posed Camelot Cultural Center and Nature Preserve. The court-
yard would measure approximately 200 feet on each side, and
the three rectangular buildings would provide facilities for Light-
house Gallery, the Burt Reynolds Institute for Theatre Training
and, possibly, other cultural organizations. The shell-shaped roof
at lower right would be over a 750-seat theater. Immediately
above it, in the right corner of the courtyard, would be an outdoor
stage. There would be a walkway around part of the lake at the
bottom. Access is from State Road 707, which runs left to right,
just below the drawing. The Intracoastal Waterway runs top to
bottom, just off the right side of the plan.
appointments make us so skeptical
that our doubts bury our possibili-
ties. This growing community has
long been committed to the arts,
and at some time -perhaps now
- we are likely to reach the criti-
cal mass of interest. energy and
money that will let one plan suc-
ceed where others have failed.
We would do an injustice to
ourselves if we did not give it a
chance.
The character of a community
is defined not just by its homes
and businesses and parks, but also
by its cultural life. For many
years, we have supported cultural
institutions here, including galler-
ies, theaters and museums. Now,
we may be ready for the next stage
in our artistic evolution, by build-
ing a s acious, modern center with
room t~or expansion.
The Camelot project deserves
our attention and support -not
only from Tequesta but also from
Jupiter and Palm Beach County;
not only in resolutions and advice,
but also in lobbying and funding,
if necessary. If it encounters prob-
lems, it may lead to further ideas
that will. move us closer to the
goal. if it succeeds, it will enrich
our lives.
In any case, those who are giv-
ing their time and talents are try-
ing to make our community a bet-
ter place -and that alone should
earn our thanks.
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Progress Report
CAMELOT HISTORIC
~ CULTURAL CENTER
ADDRESSED T0:
Tom Bradford Sir John van Kesteren
Tequesta Village Manager Chairman, Camelot Committee
Ron Mackail Karen Marcus
Mayor of Tequesta PBC Board of Commissioners
Dr.Alicen McGowan
Executive Director
Florida History Center
& Museum
Dennis Eshleman, Director
PBC Parks ~ Recreation
Bill Wilsher, Architect
PBC Par'cs & Recreation
Paul Twitty, Architect
Schwab, Twitty & Hanser
Richard Wales'~y, Director
PBC Environmental
George ~.~entile Resources Management
Landscape Architect
Past Chairman ENCON Admiral Tom Morris
Loxahatchee Environmental Past President
Control District Juno-Tequesta-Jupiter
Chamber of Commerce
Earl Collings
Tequesta Mayor Emeritus Darren Smith, Manager
Jupiter Beach. Resort
Glenn C. Fetter, President
Fetter Co.
Lighthouse Gallery Building Chairman
DATE: January 10, 1996
Yesterday I had an informative phone interview with
Faye Winters, Biologist and Team Leader of the
U.S. Department of the Interior, ~iureau of Land
Management. Her team is developing a ;tan for the Jupiter
Inlet Tract of the Coast Guard land in Tequesta.
We reviewed Mr. Bruce Dawson's letter to the Village of
Tequesta relevant to his suggestion of an alternate site for
the proposed History Preserve & Cultural Center.
Mrs. Winters said that no specific alternate site is
being suggested.
She listened attentively to our reaffirmation that the
best site would be the Coast Guard land in Tequesta.
The Bureau of Land Management is understandably
concerned and strongly dedicated to restoration of the Coast
Guard's Jupiter Inlet Tract as a haven for endangered
wildlife and preservation of threatened plant species.
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Only three pairs of scrub jays, very few gopher
tortoises (not enough for a breeding colony) and only one
four-petal paw paw plant were found at the Jupiter Inlet
Tract in the Bureau of Land Management's survey.
Specific ways that the Camelot Nature Preserve <~
Cultural Center can help the Bureau of Land Management
restore and preserve the Coast Guard land's historic beauty
can include:
1. Reforestation and plant restoration on the eastern
quarter of the Coast Guard tract. Much of it was bulldozed
for the original U.S. Air Force tracking station, then
abandoned when the tracking station was moved to its present
location at the center of the Coast Guard tract.
2. The Florida History Center
botanical and wildlife exhibits at
wildlife and rare plant films and
auditorium, provide guided tours
distribute educational literature.
member of the Camelot Committee.
& Museum could establish
the cultural center, show
conduct seminars in the
of. nature trails, and
Dr.Alicen-J. McGowan is a
3. The Cultural Center itself would require only a very
small portion of the Goast Guard land, with no destruction
of the woodland.
On the contrary, woodland would be restored in the
Nature Preserve.
Vistas of the ocean, waterway, Loxahatchee River, and
the Lighthouse would provide a scenic ambience, with no
destruction of timber or mangroves.
4. Numerous public events at the cultural center would
attract, inform, and entertain thousands of visitors drawn
to south Florida by Camelot's nature paradise. It could
receive national recognition and publicity.
5. Dozens of civic organizations would participate and
benefit from the art, crafts, music, botanical and wildlife
attractions at the Camelot History Preserve & Cultural
Center. Garden clubs could actively participate. An
auditorium is sorely needed.
Organizations already represented on the Camelot
Cultural Committee include:
Lighthouse Gallery -- art, crafts, music stu:?ios_
Blowing Rocks Music Festival -- fine music,
with symphony orchestras
Florida History Center & Museum -- historic exhibits,
seminars, and guided tours
Coastal Players might _ be invited to join.
Burt Reynolds Institute for Theater Training
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I reported to Mrs. Winters that the Camelot committee
unanimously agreed at its meeting January 8 to expand its
concept of a Nature Preserve enhancing and revitalizing the
Coast Guard land. It was agreed that the History Preserve
should be our foremost planning initiative.
Further, it was agreed that the Tequesta Village
Council and municipal government administration should have
a strong leadership role in advancing the History Preserve
proposal.
The Coast Guard land in Tequesta can be a priceless
asset for surrounding communities as well as Tequesta in our
region of southern Florida.
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Cultural was .agreed that the Camelot History Preserve ~
Center should be a joint venture with Tequesta,
Palm Beach County, and c ivic leaders, cooperating closely
with the Bureau of Land Management in a plan to preserve,
' restore, and enhance the Coast Guard land as a treasured
natural resource.
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Tequesta has already beautifully bordered the Coast
Guard tract with attractive landscaping on the road
right-of-way. The grass is regularly mowed by Tequesta
crews, providing a fire buffer for the woodland.
The Camelot Hi-story Preserve project can be helpful to
the Bureau of Land Management in achieving its goals.
Village Manager Bradford agrees with this concept. He
will invite the Bureau of Land Management team to set a date
soon for its workshop meeting in Tequesta. He will also
confer with Palm Beach County officials, encouraging their
participation.
Mrs. Winters said that constraint of the U.S. Dept. of
Interior's reduced budget handicaps their travel.
The management plan for the Coast Guard land must be
completed in March 1996, so it is urgent that we complete
our Camelot History Preserve ~ Cultural Center site plan with
specifics for the proposal, including an environmental
impact appraisal.The site plans should show how the project
will enhance the preservation and propagation of 14
endangered plant and wildlife species already disappearing
on the Coast Guard land.
Tom Bradford has provided landscape architect George
Gentile with a list of these 14 species. Mr.Gentile will
consult with Richard Walesky, Environmental Resources
Management director, in preparing the environmental
appraisal.
A Final Concept
Architect Paul Twitty and Landscape Architect George
Gentile have already developed excellent site plans for
Camelot Nature Preserve ~ Cultural Center.
Conceivably, the Hi-story Preserve site plan could be
expanded to include the entire 56 acres of Coast Guard land
in Tequesta.
Nature trails throughout the beautiful woodland could
provide recreation, awareness and appreciation of wildlife,
birds, and rare plant species.
Mrs.Winters suggested that copies of the Camelot site
plans, with specifics outlining the project, including an
environmental appraisal, might be sent to her Bureau of Land
Management planning team at Jackson, Mississipf.i, for study
and consideration in advance of the forthcoming workshop
meeting in Tequesta.
Respectfully ,rfeQport d, Q n
vim, GZ~-fC~x,~CX--
Carlton D. Stoddard, Mayor emeritus
for the Camelot Committee
Copies to--
Faye Winters, Biologist and Team Leader
U.S. Dept. of Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Bruce Dawson, District r4anager
U.S. Dept. of Interior
Bureau of Land Management
Harry Messerschmidt, Executive Director
Lighthouse Gallery