In Celebration of Debe Beard and Oyster Radio’s “Glance at the Past”

The Apalachicola Area Historical Society (AAHS) is hosting a program, In Celebration of Debe Beard and Oyster Radio’s “Glance at the Past”, about Historian, Botanist, Community Leader and Bibliophile, Debe Beard as part of their Spring Speaker Series. The event is on Tuesday, May 13, at 5:00 pm ET at the Raney Carriage House, 126 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL.

Debe Beard was a well-known figure in the Apalachicola community with many abilities and interests – historian, botanist, community leader, and passionate bibliophile  – whose contributions touched many aspects of Apalachicola’s cultural life. Known for her deep knowledge of history, Debe captured the spirit of the region and beyond in her long-running radio segment, Glance at the Past, which aired on Oyster Radio. These memorable radio broadcasts brought history to life and offered listeners a broad exploration of topics, with an emphasis on local history and culture. Even after she no longer worked at the station, her voice and knowledge remained a cherished part of the community’s collective memory.

In addition to her work in local history, Debe had an interest in historic architecture. She was a speaker at the Passion for Preservation Symposium sharing her knowledge about the historical development of the town and its iconic wood-framed vernacular architecture, commonly referred to as “The Cracker House”. This highlighted two of her favorite topics  – Apalachicola history and old house construction.

A Master Gardener affiliated with the University of Florida, Debe also brought her botanical knowledge to the beautiful Chapman Botanical Gardens, a place she held dear. Her passion for the Gardens continues to bear fruit even now after her passing. Her desire was to promote the Botanical Gardens in Apalachicola and create a larger and more diverse variety of flowers along with outdoor art by local artists. Her family and community are carrying that idea forward, with donations being made through GoFundMe to help bring her vision to life. Whether through her work as a librarian, her gardening expertise, or her preservation efforts,  Debe Beard’s legacy is one of deep care, curiosity, and commitment to her community and its stories.

These Speakers events are part of a well-established, popular series by the Apalachicola Area Historical Society. Local and tourist history enthusiasts have gathered for these informative talks for a number of years. Seating is limited so come early to get a spot.