JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — If you’ve been to Jacksonville’s Museum of Science and History, you may have seen the large amounts of bricks in the entrance with people’s names on them.
One local family reached out to Action News Jax with concerns about what will happen to the bricks when the museum relocates across the river.
“My son was my pride and joy. Sean Eric Williams,” Wayne Williams said, remembering his late teenage son, Sean.
Not a day goes by where Williams doesn’t miss him.
“My only son. I’ve got daughters but that was my boy,” he said.
Sean died of cancer back in 2006. He had a bright future ahead of him -- he was a straight-A student who loved science and nature.
The Williams honored him by putting his name on bricks at some of his favorite places.
“We have bricks at the zoo and at MOSH and at the Gator Walk – he was a die-hard Gator – and we celebrate him each year on his birthday by going to those,” Williams said.
Williams recently learned about MOSH’s plans to relocate across the river to the Shipyards property near TIAA Bank Field.
“The thought of it getting demolished...” Williams said.
Action News Jax brought the family’s concern to MOSH. A spokesperson says although MOSH hopes to break ground for its new building later this year or early next year, the relocation is still several years away.
MOSH is still planning how the bricks will be managed, but the museum insists it will treat everyone’s memory brick thoughtfully and respectfully.
Sean’s brick is more than just a brick to Williams -- it’s a part of his son.
“By going to the places that he loved, we feel closer to him,” Williams said.
Late Thursday afternoon, Williams told Action News Jax a member of MOSH’s team reached out to him directly.
MOSH shared this statement with Action News Jax:
“MOSH is committed to honoring all contributions in a manner that aligns with each donor’s intent and the Museum’s core values. Donors who have supported MOSH’s mission by sponsoring a brick at its current location are welcome to contact the Museum directly at any time to reclaim their brick for personal possession. Questions may be directed to Victoria Houf at vhouf@themosh.org.”
