Tag Archive for wardlaw-smith-goza

College Makes Changes In Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center Funding

August 9, 2011 Education Comments Off
Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center

Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center

NFCC’s Historic Conference Center Remains Open To The Public

The Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center is now operating as a self-supporting enterprise that no longer receives financial support from North Florida Community College’s general operating budget.  The shift in funding was approved by the NFCC District Board of Trustees and considered a necessary change as the college prioritizes expenditures amidst another year of reduced state funding. A special announcement regarding the change was sent to NFCC’s  “Friends of the Mansion” members in June.

“Over the years, Friends of the Mansion members have made monetary donations, volunteered time, and shown a great love for NFCC’s historic conference center,” said Maria Greene, WSG Conference Center Coordinator. “We are making changes, but our annual membership drive is currently underway and we continue to hold events, weddings and tours in the Mansion. It’s business as usual for now as we look for ways to build extra revenue.”

Greene is looking as far ahead as June 2012 with her current budget and needs the continued support of donors and the community. According to NFCC President John Grosskopf, the College is also actively seeking partnerships or alternative solutions that can keep the WSG Conference Center open to the public; even if that means taking NFCC out of the equation.

“NFCC is very proud of its tenure as the primary steward of this very important local treasure; however, we are now in a position where we must align all of our resources to the fulfillment of our primary mission, and we cannot continue to fund this endeavor,” said Grosskopf. “We will be working to find our successor to take over from here.”

The Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center, listed in the Historic American Building Survey and the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1860. NFCC purchased the WSG Conference Center property in 1988 through a Florida legislative appropriation to preserve and use it as a conference center for the six rural counties which the College serves.

Many of the antique furnishings and accessories inside the Mansion are loaned or donated by individuals within the area and according to Greene, these items will be handled with the upmost respect in regards to the donor or owner, whatever the future brings for the Mansion.

“The Mansion has become a valued icon in our community, full of history and character,” said Greene. “I appreciate all the community support, especially our Friends of the Mansion members, and ask for continued support and feedback as we work to build the future of the Wardlaw-Smith-Conference Center.”

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Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Mansion Up For Grabs

July 19, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off
By Ginger Jarvis
Greene Publishing, Inc.

In a matter of months, one of Madison’s showpieces will close its doors to the public under its present arrangement with North Florida Community College. NFCC President John Grosskopf gave the dire news to the Madison City Commissioners at their regular meeting on July 12.

Grosskopf told the board that the college will be working under an eight-percent budget cut this year, and cannot afford to continue serving as the gatekeeper for the Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center. He explained that the Friends of the Museum account has about $60,000 remaining, which will keep the historic site open for a few months. Maria Greene, an NFCC employee, who is the organizer of mansion events, will be paid out of that account as long as the funds last.

Grosskopf said that the wooden structure is not suitable for use as classroom space. “We cannot justify spending our money on a building that students cannot use,” he stated. “It’s on life support.”

Commissioner Myra Valentine asked, “Should we set up some kind of steering committee to find funds for the mansion?”

Grosskopf replied that the college is already attempting to find partners who will support activities at the site. He also expressed some concern that many of the furnishings and decorative pieces in the mansion are on loan. “I’m not sure what we will do about those at this time,” he said.

Persons interested in helping keep the center open may contact Grosskopf at the college or contact any city commissioner.

In other business, the commissioners voted to reduce the impact fee for a second water meter at sites where the owner has already paid the fee for the first meter. Valentine suggested the change, saying, “I think in these times it would be a wonderful gesture from the city.”

After some discussion, the board approved a motion to reduce the fee for a yard-watering metering to $250, plus the cost of the meter and installation, which would bring the total cost to about $600, lowered from the original $1,500. The second meters used for lawn-watering do not use the sewage system, so are exempt from those charges.

The board also adopted changes in the retirement program for firefighters. The new policy allows for retirement after 25 years of service, and lowers the pension contribution of the employee.

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Community And College Work Together To Host “A Charles Dickens Christmas At The Mansion”

January 18, 2011 Around Madison Comments Off
NFCC Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Coordinator Maria Greene, Christmas at the Mansion Coordinator Jackie Johnson and NFCC Director of Foundation Gina Rutherford, are pictured left to right, in hallway of the Mansion.

North Florida Community College, Friends of the Mansion and members of the community recently worked together to host “A Charles Dickens Christmas at the Mansion”. The holiday event began with an opening reception for the Friends of the Mansion at the Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center (The Mansion) on Dec. 8, featuring Madison County’s Ratt Pack dressed in Victorian garb posing throughout the Mansion as living mannequins.  The holiday celebration continued through Dec. 12 with the Madison County Junior Auxiliary’s “Cookies with Santa” event on Dec. 11 and public tours throughout the week.

NFCC Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Coordinator Maria Greene, Christmas at the Mansion Coordinator Jackie Johnson and NFCC Director of Foundation Gina Rutherford, are pictured left to right, in hallway of the Mansion.


“I thank all the volunteers, from this year to years past, for their time and effort in decorating the mansion and acting as hostesses,” said NFCC Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Coordinator Maria Greene. “Without our community volunteers, the Christmas at the Mansion holiday open house would not be possible.”
The main hallway was spectacularly decorated by the Madison County Junior Auxiliary. Downstairs rooms included the Library decorated by Wendy Bartlam and April Yungel; the Parlor by Cheri Platt, Dianne Sullivan, Penny Worden, and Jenny Andrews; the Dining Room by the Madison Women’s Club; and the Music Room by the Madison Garden Club.
Atop the garland wrapped staircase, visitors enjoyed the upstairs hall depicting Ebenezer and the Ghost of Christmas Future decorated by Ina Thompson; the Breckinridge Room by Bali’s Florist; the Guest Room by Thelma DeHart and Jan Ledsome; the Rose Room by The Madison Florist; and the Children’s Room by Madison County Community Bank. The outside of the Mansion was decorated by Mary Kay Blume and Victorian cut outs made by local artist Daniel Graves. Coordinating the decorations was Jackie Johnson.
For more information about NFCC’s Wardlaw-Smith-Goza Conference Center, contact Maria Greene, Mansion coordinator, at (850) 973-9432 or email greenem@nfcc.edu.

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