On August 25, 2008, members of the public were invited to join with The Martin County Board of County Commissioners, and The Friends of Mount Elizabeth, to celebrate the kick-off of the final restoration phase to complete the long-awaited restoration of the historic "Mansion at Tuckahoe" in Indian RiverSide Park.

Appropriately, County Commission Chairman Doug Smith, who has worked diligently on the Indian RiverSide Park Project, including the restoration of The Mansion, spoke about his long-time involvement and introduced the other speakers, who included, John Whiticar from Indian RiverSide Alliance, Colleen Holmes of the Friends of Mount Elizabeth, Beth Strack of the Citizens for Conservation and Parks, County Commissioner Susan Valliere and Duncan Ballantyne, County Administrator.

The attendees, who included many long time supporters and sponsors of the project, listened to the speakers as they relayed the as the history of the project, including:

· the grass roots effort to encourage the County to purchase the property for the public through a Referendum held in 1996;

· the formation of Indian RiverSide Alliance who were instrumental in supporting the development of the park;

· the formation of the Friends of Mount Elizabeth, whose mission has been to assist the County in the restoration and preservation of The Mansion at Tuckahoe through fund raising and events to raise awareness of the project;

· and, the efforts of the grass roots organization, Citizens for Conservation and Parks, whose request for and supported of the Half-Cent Sales Tax referendum in 2006 provided the funding to complete the restoration of The Mansion at Tuckahoe.

The kick-off was also an opportunity to once again thank representatives of the very generous sponsors of the project, including The Frances Langford Foundation, J.C. Penney and Cassidy's Bed & Bath.

The event also included refreshments, a group of "painters" to kick off the restoration, and tours of the Mansion provided by the Friends of Mount Elizabeth.

The Mansion at Tuckahoe, built by the Leach family in 1938, is located on an Indian Midden and is included on the National Register of Historic Places. When complete, The Mansion at Tuckahoe will be a self-sustaining public facility for the entire community to enjoy.