09/03/2026
A New Chapter in Cedar Key’s Story: The White House Annex Collection
The Cedar Key Historical Society is honored to announce the receipt of a significant collection of archaeological artifacts recovered from the historic White House Annex property (recorded under state site file LV00155) on Second Street.
Following Hurricane Helene, removal of a damaged seawall retention wall led to the discovery of an unmarked 19th-century African American cemetery situated within a portion of Hale Mound—an archaeological site containing evidence of approximately 7,000 years of human activity.
The discovery brings together two important and deeply meaningful chapters of Cedar Key’s past: the lives of African Americans buried here during the 19th century and the much earlier Indigenous presence represented by thousands of years of archaeological material.
Honoring Early Black History & Ancestral Memory
In September 2025, Ardurra Cultural Resource Management Group was contracted to recover human remains exposed by the inadvertent discovery. Archaeologists screened approximately 3,375 cubic feet of soil during the investigation.
The approximately 16.3-square-meter unmarked cemetery, located near the southeastern corner of the property, contained the remains of a minimum of six individuals—four adults and two juveniles. Preliminary forensic analysis suggests Black or African American ancestry. Among the individuals identified were a woman estimated to have been in her 30s and an infant approximately 18 months old.
The investigation also recovered coffin nails and coffin wood, along with possible grave goods—objects apparently buried with the individuals. These included:
* Buttons, ceramics, and glass
* A brass ring
* An oyster-shell inlay cuff link
* A heart-shaped clear glass bottle stopper
Archaeological evidence suggests the burials may date as early as approximately 1840–1860. Historical research also identified an 1880 Sanborn map depicting structures in the area labeled at the time as “Negro Shanties.” Archaeologists note that the recovered materials may represent the community shown on that historic map, offering an important avenue for continued research into this largely undocumented chapter of Cedar Key’s past.
A Note on the Human Remains
No human remains were transferred to the Cedar Key Historical Society, and none will be displayed at the museum. The remains are being cared for separately and with the utmost respect in accordance with Florida state law.
The Historical Society recognizes that these remains represent individuals whose lives and stories deserve dignity and honor. Their discovery provides an opportunity to learn more about an essential part of Cedar Key’s African American history that has left relatively little written record.
7,000 Years of Indigenous Heritage at Hale Mound
The investigation also revealed a much deeper history. Hale Mound preserves evidence of human activity spanning roughly seven millennia, long before the development of modern Cedar Key.
Archaeologists recovered hundreds of pieces of Native American pottery along with other cultural materials representing thousands of years of Indigenous presence. The pottery includes examples associated with several archaeological traditions, including Orange, Pasco, Weeden Island, St. Johns II, Safety Harbor, and Alachua.
Together, these materials provide an extraordinary glimpse into generations of people who lived along and interacted with this part of Florida’s Gulf Coast long before Cedar Key appeared on a map.
Upcoming Exhibit & Lecture
A carefully selected display of recovered artifacts will open at the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum this fall/winter.
Archaeologists Jessica Owen, MPhil, RPA, and Lennon Myers, MA, RPA, will also present a public lecture about the archaeological investigation and its findings. Dates will be announced soon.
The Historical Society also plans an upcoming feature exploring the history of the White House Annex and the property on Second Street.
With Deep Gratitude
This preservation effort was made possible through the generosity of property owner and Historical Society supporter Talley Ruhle, whose donation of the recovered artifacts ensures that these pieces of Cedar Key’s past will be preserved and shared with the community.
Together, these discoveries add an extraordinary new dimension to our understanding of Cedar Key—a history far older, richer, and more culturally diverse than the written record alone can tell.
Photo Caption:
Archaeological artifacts arrive at the Cedar Key Historical Society. Pictured from left: archaeologists Jessica Owen and Lennon Myers, MA, RPA; local army veteran and Historical Society member Steven Poole; and museum studies intern and Historical Society member Kaylynn Funk, daughter of James and Ashley Funk.
