History

 

The John Crowley family arrived in Old Miakka in the mid 1800’s. As early Florida Pioneers they had to have many skills to survive. John was a blacksmith and veterinarian, sawmill operator, farmer and rancher, and ran a general store. His wife, Sylvia, was a schoolteacher. In Old Miakka in those days the slogan was ” Grow your own or do without.” Jasper Crowley, John’s grandson, learned many of the skills of both of his grandparents and passed them on to his students and area residents. He was an educator, a farmer and rancher, and a conservationist. Jasper left the Crowley Museum & Nature Center, Inc. to the community and part of his vision was that this organization be utilized to teach people traditional skills and self-reliance.

Jasper Crowley shearing sheep and making sheep’s milk cheese, 1960s.