ABOUT OUR BROWN BAG PROGRAM
The Amelia Island Museum of History’s Brown Bag Lunch lecture series presents lunchtime conversations with fascinating members of the Nassau County community. Join us at 12pm on the first Wednesday of every month to learn from the people who make our community so vibrant! Audience members may bring lunch to eat during the lectures. Attendance is free and open to the public.
UPCOMING PROGRAM
“Failure Was Never an Option“
with gene Kendall
Wednesday, November 4th, at 12 pm
Head over to the Amelia Island Museum of History for this November installment of our Brown Bag Lunch series titled “Failure Was Never An Option” with Gene Kendall.
During the presentation, Gene will be talking about his deeply moving memoir, which chronicles his path from growing up in the segregated housing projects of North Carolina to overcoming extraordinary obstacles and racial barriers. He will
discuss his experiences as one of the first African American undergraduate students to integrate Duke University, his family’s personal hardships—including his brother’s battle with polio—and his rise through military leadership to become one of the first African American Rear Admirals in the United States Navy.
Rear Admiral Gene Kendall (USN, Ret.) is an accomplished leader whose 35-year naval career spans leadership at sea, naval education, and strategic service at the Pentagon. After graduating from Duke University, he earned a master’s degree in engineering physics from the University of Kansas before embarking on his distinguished career as an officer. Deeply connected to the local community, Rear Admiral Kendall is also a former board member of the Amelia Island Museum of History, where he proudly served for five years.
Date: Wednesday, November 4th, 2026
Time: Noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.)
Location: 233 S 3rd Street
Cost: Free
Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis. This program is wheelchair accessible.
For more information contact Tirik Peterson at 904-261-7378 x102 or tirik@AmeliaMuseum.org.
Watch this program remotely on our Twitch Channel.
For Future Programs check out our Event Calendar.
PAST PROGRAMS
“Amelia Island Lighthouse Documentary: The Family Business”
with Robert Eberle
October 2026
This event featured the first screening of Robert Eberle’s new documentary, which explores the rich history of Florida’s oldest lighthouse. The film highlighted the legacy of the O’Hagan family through Tom Sintes, a direct descendant of the lighthouse’s historical keepers and official lighthouse guide.
Robert Eberle is a former Associated Press stringer and 20-year news photographer who also served as a photography professor at Centenary University. Since moving to Amelia Island ten years ago, he has actively volunteered his videography skills for local charities, community businesses, and regional milestones. His most recent projects include a photo book celebrating a half-century of friendships, a 25-year retrospective of Amelia Park, and a milestone production for the Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival.
Visit our YouTube Channel for more of our Brown Bag Program videos.
For questions or for more information please contact Curator Tirik Peterson via phone at
904.261.7378 x102 or via email at tirik@ameliamuseum.org.