Celebrating the history of Merritt Island on “Pioneer Day” is an annual event that has an exciting appeal for history, art, music, and nature lovers, and children of all ages from 1 to 100. The February 10th event is a partnership between Sams House at Pine Island and St. Luke’s Episcopal Church located on a sleepy little stretch of North Tropical Trail on North Merritt Island. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. the Sams House and St. Luke’s will host a wide variety of activities, most of which are free.
Pioneer Day is held near the birthday of John Sams, a citrus-grower and the first Superintendent of Brevard County Schools. Mr. Sams built the oldest standing home in Brevard County (circa 1875). The Sams Cabin is now a museum within the 1,000-acre Pine Island Conservation Area, which is owned and operated by the Brevard County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program. Mr. Sams also helped to build St. Luke’s Chapel in 1888 and is buried in the church cemetery.
Primary parking available at St. Luke’s with limited parking at Sams House.
Free continuous shuttle service between venues. Download flyer here
Events at St. Luke’s (10 am to 4 pm) 5555 N. Tropical Trail
Perrine Hall: Lunch includes a variety of homemade chilis (traditional, white and vegetarian), grilled hotdogs and loaded baked potatoes.
10:15 CEMETERY: Guided Tour “Military & Space” Highlighting a few of our military veterans from the Civil Way to Viet Nam, and people associated with the Space Program.
11:00 CHURCH “Life on the Indian River Lagoon” “Life on the Indian River Lagoon” Dixie Crossroads proprietor and environmental activist Laurilee Thompson will talk about growing up as a 4th generation Floridian in Brevard County’s seafood industry over the past six decades.
11:30 CEMETERY: Guided Tour “Founding Families” Early Merritt Island settlers who were also the founders of St Luke’s
12:00 to 12:15 CHURCH “Community together in Prayer”
12:15 CHAPEL: “St. Luke’s Chapel: A Gem of Carpenter Gothic Architecture” Jonathan Rich, author of Spires in the Sun: The Carpenter Gothic Episcopal Churches of Florida, will give a talk on how this unique style of architecture came to the Florida frontier of the 1800s. Signed copies of the book will be available for sale.
1:00 CHAPEL: Pioneer Music
1:30 CHURCH: “AIS, Indigenous People of Merritt Island ” Before pioneers, the Indigenous people called “AIS”, lived on Merritt Island. Learn more about the original settlers from David McDonald.
2:00 CEMETERY: Guided Tour “Thru the Ages” A glimpse of Brevard History from the life stories of locals spanning the decades
On-going Events: Self Guided Tours of St. Luke’s Historic Chapel and Cemetery
Exhibitors include: Moore Memorial Museum & Park, Brevard Zoo Aquarium, Brevard Genealogical Society, American Space Museum, Central Brevard Sharing Center, Animal Safehouse Program
Vendors include: Recycled Tire Art, Glory Bells Designs, Coastal Lost Treasures, Author Jay Heavner, Zabs, Banana River Soapworks
On-going Events:
Impromptu and Self-guided tour of St. Luke’s Historic Chapel and Cemetery
Events at Sams House (10 am to 4 pm) 6195 N. Tropical Trail
- Florida living history demonstrations and educational exhibits that include archaeology and anthropology, historic reenactors, encampments and artifacts on display
- Live music throughout the day by Celery City String Band, Chris Kahl, Pine Trio, and Boylston Fish
- A Pioneer “parade” throughout the grounds at 11 am, led by drum and fife, of those dressed in historic attire
- Local exhibitors from Brevard’s historical societies, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation, and others
- Local exhibitors from Brevard’s natural lands and environmental organizations such as, Space Coast Audubon Society, Florida Native Plant Society, Marine Resources Council, Brevard Backyard Beekeepers, and others
- Vintage, crafts and farmer’s market vendors such as the Spade and Trowel Garden Club, Wake and Bake Bread Co., and others (also local honey, Florida native plants etc.)
- Pine Island guided nature trail hikes throughout the day courtesy of the Florida Trail Association and Brevard’s Environmentally Endangered Lands Program
- 1888 Sams House tours with rarely seen antiques on display
- Pine Island Preservation Society tent with vintage pins, doilies, finger puppets, hiking sticks, nature-themed t-shirts, note cards, postcards, gifts for sale and raffle items including a local fruit basket
- Children’s crafts and games – Hay Dive, Steer Roping, Cornhusk Dolls, “Cow” Milking and Tic Tac Toe
- Heidi’s Miniature Goat Petting Farm until 1 pm
- Local food trucks and kettle corn!