History and Leadership
The Historic Springfield Society was originally formed over 120 years ago as the Springfield Improvement Association (SIA), but our organization has gone through several name changes over those years. In 1933, we were the Springfield Improvement Association and Woman’s Club when our headquarters, the ca. 1908 former Springfield Presbyterian Church, was moved to its current location at 210 West 7th Street. With the 2012 merger of SIAWC and the Springfield Heritage Education Center (SHEC), we became Springfield Improvement Association and Archives (SIAA). Earlier this year (May 2024), we re-established ourselves as the Historic Springfield Society.
Despite these name changes, our primary goals have changed little since our 1904 beginnings. We have always focused on the preservation and beautification of Springfield’s public spaces; our parks, our schools, and our historic streetscapes. We are an all-volunteer organization (a 501(c)3 non-profit) working hard to fulfill our mission of "Enhancing the quality of life in Historic Springfield through beautifying its public spaces, providing volunteer service, and educating the community, while preserving its history and bringing community members together in engaged ways."
Following our mission statement, we have made it our responsibility to:
- Advocate for maintenance and improvements to the parks included within the Springfield Historic District (Klutho, Waterworks, and Springfield Parks).
- Coordinate volunteers for cleanup projects in our parks and along public rights of way.
- Research, collect, preserve, and share information (documents, records, artifacts) relevant to Springfield’s history as one of Jacksonville’s oldest neighborhoods.
- Be a place for springfield neighbors to come together, enjoy their time, and engage with each other and our historic neighborhood.
Historic Springfield Society is also committed to strengthening neighborhood social and cultural ties. We do this by organizing neighborhood events and by providing rental space in our building.
Board Members

Treasurer and Secretary
Shannon Elian

Archive Chair
Jeff Gardner

Board Member
Kiley Secrest

Board Member
Catherine Barille

Board Member
Christopher Corbo

Board Member
Alicia Dorsey-Frank