[2] Henry Holland Buckman was its first president, and its first activity was to assemble a collection of historical memorabilia, including newspapers, photographs, documents, books and correspondence covering the first one hundred years of Jacksonville.

[2] For its first six decades, the group was content to build an archive, publish booklets, provide research assistance and discuss the history of the first coast.

The JHS became active in the community: the group secured office space, hired an executive director and began to raise funds for projects.

Less than a year later, the society began its second restoration project – the relocation and renovation of the historic James E. Merrill House, built in 1879.

The Queen Anne style building was scheduled for demolition in 1999, but the city moved it from Lafayette Street to A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and renovation work began.

[12] The Jacksonville Historical Society plans to use the space for a local music history museum, archival processing and storage, and as a venue.