Volunteer Keeps the History in the Harbor

Scott Anderson is a no-nonsense type of guy. 

He's happy to talk all day about history, but he also admits he has no desire to sit in an office or glad-hand politicians just to get on someone’s good side.

But what do you expect from somebody who was  a cop for 20 years, served in the Army, and who shoots off cannons in his spare time while participating in Civil War reenactments? 

“I’m a tee shirt and blue jeans type of guy,” Anderson says. “I’m not a boardroom and handshake type of guy.”

He's not a ‘toot your own horn’ type, either, but others admit he deserves a lot of credit for keeping the historical side of the new Safety Harbor Museum and Cultural Center intact. 

“Involving Scott in…the historical aspect of the museum was a natural fit,” Fritz Kirsch, former president of the museum’s board of trustees, said.

“There's no perk that he gets from volunteering there except the love of teaching history, especially to kids.”

The history of the historian 

Scott, a native of New England, became a history buff after reading a book about General Custer at the age of 12, and he’s been hooked ever since.

He moved to the area in 1956, and while working for the Clearwater PD in the early 80s, he came across a Civil War reenactment group and “got reeled in hook, line and sinker.” 

After retiring from the force in 1997, he was able to devote more time to reenactment groups. With Kirsch's encouragement, he became a board member shortly after moving to Safety Harbor in 2000. 

“I knew half the people were interested in the museum, and half the people were interested because it looks good on a resume,” he says. “So I thought I could sway them.”

Now an assistant curator, Anderson is in charge of the historical side of the museum, including exhibits and tours, while city officials handle the administrative side. 

His involvement has grown with the expansion of the old facility, which requires creative planning when it comes to the displays.

“The old museum had all these artifacts here, plus a whole lot more,” he explains. “You have to be careful, because if you have too many items, it becomes redundant.” 

For the love of history

Talk to Scott for just a few minutes and his passion – and knowledge – of history is readily apparent.

He easily explains things like the origins of the city of Safety Harbor (once referred to as Green Springs); the fact that it used to take a week to travel from Tampa to St. Pete before the bridges were constructed; and the locations of dozens of Confederate Army soldiers who are buried in the greater Tampa Bay area.

It’s this passion, knowledge and tireless work ethic that has made him an invaluable part of the museum team.

“Scott has a passion for history and Safety Harbor’s history,” Shannon Schafer, the facility’s director, wrote in an email. “He is a dedicated volunteer and board member.”

“The amount of time he's volunteered there over the years, he deserves a hero's medal,” Kirsch says.

And how does Anderson feel now that he’s got a bigger stage to work with?

“Now it’s a total art and history education center," he says of the new facility. “I believe you should always know something about the town you live in.” 

“When you walk through a museum, it should be like reading a book," he adds. "It should tell a story.”