The top photo shows the Meighan Theatre, the Leeston-Smith Building, and the Kentucky Inn. The theater opened in 1926 and the photo may be from 1926 since the sign on the far right advertises the movie “The Scrappin’ Kid,” which was released in 1926. The theater was named for Thomas Meighan, a Hollywood movie star who wintered in New Port Richey during the boom years.

The bottom photo was taken on Sept. 17, 2016. The Richey Suncoast Theatre is the successor to the Meighan Theatre.

Our 100-year-old museum survived Hermine nicely, as did the adjacent gazebo, almost as old but substantially remodeled over the years. The Rao Musunuru M. D. Museum and Library was originally the Seven Springs school for 10 years and then became a private residence before being moved to Sims Park in 1981. Photo taken on Sept. 2, 2016.

This is a painting at the museum by Kathleen Strode showing the old New Port Richey post office on the Circle, built in 1959. The building still exists in 2016, housing the Smart Start New Port Richey Business Incubator.

Aidan Woodham, who is the assistant curator of the museum, was on duty as the greeter this afternoon (8/27).

At the museum today: Brian Schmit, who is writing a book about the early days in New Port Richey, Frances Clark Mallett, Walter Mallett, and son Vic Mallett. Brian interviewed Frances and Walter for his book. July 29, 2016. A video clip of the interview is here.

We just received the photo above, from the 1940s, showing River’s End Cottage Apartments and Motel on U. S. 19. The photo is by Ted Lagerberg. The aerial view below shows where this was located.

Two views of Main Street. The old picture, by Angelo Deciucies, is from about 1959. The newer photo was taken on July 17, 2016.

Check out the West Pasco Historical Society July 2016 newsletter, which will soon be mailed to our members. It has an article on the Hudson family, an article on Maxine Clayton, and a member profile of our own President, Bob Langford. It is a PDF file here.

Here’s an article from a newspaper of May 18, 1970, which we recently posted on our Facebook page. It got lots of shares and comments, so we’re posting it here on our web site also here.

JoAnn Marie (Spencer) Hettel, Gulf High School Class of 1955, died on June 9, 2016. She was 78 years old. She hosted a popular cooking show on New Port Richey radio station WGUL.