2026 Winter Membership Meeting
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NEED TO KNOW INFORMATIONSocial LocationBest Western Wakulla Inn & Suites Limited to 50 registrants. Membership Meeting LocationPanacea Community Center Limited to 100 registrants. St. Marks Lighthouse LocationSt. Marks Lighthouse AgendaAll times are Eastern Standard TimeBoard MeetingVirtual FLA Board Meeting—Board members will be notified of the date and time, week of Monday, February 23. Social - Friday, February 275:30 pm - Check-In Opens. 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm - Social. FLA will provide PUBLIX platters that include charcuterie, shrimp, veggies, fruit, crackers, decadent dessert, and wine, beer, bottled water, sparkling zero calorie beverage, and vitamin water. Membership Meeting - Saturday, February 288:30 am - Membership meeting check-in. FLA will provide coffee. 9:00 am - Membership meeting morning session. 10:30 am - Speaker 11:30 am - Lunch Break - A delicious buffet lunch catered by The Seineyard at Wildwood, an “Old Florida” type restaurant and go-to spot for locals, will be provided. The restaurant’s name and theme pay homage to the seineyards that once dotted Wakulla County’s coast — places where fishermen hauled nets and shared meals during the mullet run, reflecting the region’s coastal heritage and community spirit. Buffet items will include fillet of catfish, shrimp, chicken tenders, house salad with Greek-style dressing (contains feta and blue cheese), cole slaw, cheese grits, hush puppies, Seineyard’s famous pudding, and sweet and unsweetened tea. 12:00 pm - Drawing of raffle tickets for prizes; 50/50 raffle; and live auction. 1:00 pm - Membership meeting adjournment. 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm - After lunch, you can drive to the Lighthouse (31 miles; 45 minutes), which is located in the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge ($5 entrance fee per vehicle), where you can climb the 85 spiral steps to the lantern room. Note: On your way to see the Lighthouse, you may want to stop at the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, which houses a nature store/gift shop. You can purchase things like books, postcards, field guides, t-shirts, souvenirs, insect repellent, and other gifts. There is no dedicated gift shop at the Lighthouse tower itself. Driving Directions to the Lighthouse and Parking Please allow 15 – 20 minutes to drive from the Visitor Center, 1255 Lighthouse Road, Crawfordville, Florida, to the Lighthouse. Exit the Visitor Center parking lot and turn right on Lighthouse Road (County Road 59). Continue straight (South) on Lighthouse Road for about 7 – 8 miles until it dead ends. You’ll see a gravel parking lot near the shoreline. This is the designated parking lot for the Lighthouse. From the parking lot, the Lighthouse is a short, flat walk (just a few minutes) along a clearly marked path. | BRING THE BIG EASY TO THE LIGHTHOUSEGet ready to bring the spirit of Mardi Gras to Crawfordville, Florida! We invite all participants of the Florida Lighthouse Association’s Winter Meeting to dress in their favorite festive clothing, hats, beads, necklaces, and any fun adornments that show off your creativity and celebration spirit. Whether it’s bold colors, sparkling accessories, or playful flair, let’s turn our gathering into a lively, New Orleans–style party. Come ready to celebrate, mingle, and have a blast as we bring a taste of the Big Easy to our lighthouse winter meeting! RECOMMENDED HOTELSThe following two hotels are providing FLA courtesy room-blocks for Friday and Saturday, February 27 and February 28 with check-out on Sunday, March 1. Best Western Wakulla Inn & Suites (Venue For Social)3292 Coastal Highway 98; Crawfordville, Florida 32327 Amenities:
FLA Discounted Room Rates: Eleven King mini-suites (one king bed and one sleep sofa: rate Friday/$152.10 and Saturday/$153.00 Eleven Double Queen (two beds) rooms: rate Friday/$161.10 and Saturday/$162.00 How To Obtain the FLA Discounted Room Rates To receive the discounted FLA group rate when making your reservation, please call the Cut-Off Date For Special FLA Room-Block Rate: Tuesday, January 27, 2026, 3:00 PM (EST). Cancellation Policy: Reservations must be made by 3:00 PM (EST) 48 hours prior to the first date of your hotel reservation. If your reservation is not cancelled, your credit card will be charged for the first night of your hotel reservation. Distance from Meeting Location: The Best Western is the venue for the 2026 winter membership meeting social. The Best Western is 6.28 miles from the Panacea Community Center (meeting location) and 24.53 miles from the St. Marks Lighthouse. Magnuson Hotel Wildwood Inn3899 Coastal Highway; Crawfordville, Florida 32327 Amenities:
FLA Discounted Room Rates King rate $129 (five rooms) and $139 for Double Queen (ten rooms), plus sales tax. NOTE: A rollaway bed is available for an additional $15 per night. How To Obtain the FLA Discounted Room Rates To receive the discounted FLA group rate when making your reservation, call the Magnuson Hotel’s front desk, noted above, request the special Florida Lighthouse Association room block rate, and provide your major credit card number to guarantee your reservation. Cut-Off Date For Special FLA Room-Block Rate: Tuesday, January 27, 3:00 PM (EST). Cancellation Policy: Reservations must be canceled by 3:00 PM (EST) 48 hours prior to the first date of your hotel reservation. If your reservation is not cancelled, your credit card will be charged for the first night of your hotel reservation. Check In/Out Times: Check-In Time: After 3:00 PM (EST)/Check-Out Time: 11:00 AM (EST) Distance from Meeting Location: The Magnuson Hotel is 1.69 miles from the Best Western (social location), 7.84 miles from the Panacea Community Center (meeting location), and 22.84 miles from the St. Marks Lighthouse. |
TIPS FOR TOURING THE ST. MARKS LIGHTHOUSE
- Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sun protection, and use insect repellent.
- Bring binoculars and a camera. The Lighthouse sits within a National Wildlife Refuge, offering excellent bird-watching, marsh views, and photography opportunities. Attendees should be prepared to climb the Lighthouse. Wear comfortable shoes and clothing.
- Restrooms are available at the Visitor’s Center, Tower Pond Trail Head (on Lighthouse Road), there is no restroom at the Lighthouse.
- Drive slowly and watch for wildlife. Deer, birds, and other animals frequently cross Lighthouse Road.
FUN AND INTERESTING HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT THE ST. MARKS LIGHTHOUSE
- The original Lighthouse was built in 1830. The current Lighthouse was built in 1842, making it the second-oldest surviving lighthouse tower in Florida (after the 1838 Amelia Island Lighthouse).
- The Lighthouse marks the entrance to the St. Marks River, which had ports serving the Tallahassee area. The Tallahassee Railroad to the port city of St. Marks operated from 1837 until 1983. The route became Florida's first rail trail.
- The Lighthouse has survived numerous major hurricanes and damage from the Civil War.
- St. Marks is the only masonry lighthouse in Florida with a full keeper dwelling attached directly to the base of the tower.
(The dwelling at Pensacola was originally built as a completely separate structure, but later connected to the tower.) - In 1892, keeper Charles Fine planted the large oak tree located on the west side of lighthouse.
- The longest serving keeper was John Young Gresham, from 1918 to 1949. His in-laws were the previous keepers, Charles and Sarah Fine. His son, Alton, later served as one of the last Coast Guard keepers at St. Marks, which was automated in 1960.
- St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1931. St. Marks is the only Florida lighthouse located in a NWR.
- In the 1930s, as part of the NWR, the Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the first road and power line to the Lighthouse. Until that time, the keepers had to travel six miles by boat to the city of St. Marks.
- Despite the small gallery deck, eight Coast Guard lookouts were stationed at the Lighthouse during World War II to keep a 24/7 lookout over Apalachee Bay. They lived in a small wooden barracks, located at what is now the south end of the lighthouse parking lot.
- The Lighthouse's historic fourth-order Fresnel lens is on exhibit in the Refuge's visitor center, and a functional replica lens is in the lantern.
OTHER THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN THE GREATER CRAWFORDVILLE AREA
- Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park - One of the world’s largest freshwater springs, offering boat tours, wildlife viewing, swimming, and nature trails. 850-421-3101 | floridastateparks.org/WakullaSprings
- Wakulla River Boat Tours - Famous jungle cruise boat tours offer close encounters with wildlife and clear spring waters. https://thelodgeatwakullasprings.com/plan-your-trip/jungle-cruise/ Relaxing guided tours highlighting wildlife, springs, and local history. 850-421-3101 | floridastateparks.org/WakullaSprings
- Cherokee Sink Trail - A short hike to a beautiful natural sinkhole with crystal-clear water. 850-421-3101 | visitwakulla.com
- Cathedral of Palms Trail - A serene walking trail through towering palms—perfect for photography and quiet reflection. visitwakulla.com
- Wakulla County Historical Society Museum- Learn about the area’s rich maritime, cultural, and natural history. 850-926-1110 | wakullahistory.org
- Hudson Park - A charming downtown park ideal for strolling, relaxing, and community events. 850-926-0919 | visitwakulla.com
- Azalea Park - A shaded park with picnic areas and walking paths in the heart of Crawfordville. 850-926-0919 | visitwakulla.com
- Viking Coastal Charters - Fishing and sightseeing charters exploring the Gulf and surrounding waterways. vikingcoastalcharters.com
- Trail access for the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, ideal for biking and walking.
SERVICE ANIMALS AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALSThe Florida Lighthouse Association’s policy only allows service animals at its events, as required under Titles II and III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). Emotional support and non-service animals are not protected by ADA regulations and will not be allowed entrance to any scheduled FLA events including the Friday social, and lighthouse climb, Saturday membership meeting, lunch, and lighthouse climb. Under Florida law, it is illegal to fraudulently misrepresent your pet as a service animal. |