Family Legacy
By Kevin Fritz
Would you like a glimpse at one of the few remaining Gutenberg Bibles printed in 1452 or Einstein’s Theory of Relativity in Albert’s own handwriting? How about letters written by Florence Nightingale describing the conditions during her days in the Crimean War? It’s all on display at the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Lake Mary, and it leads visitors on a fascinating journey through time.
“We have been so busy,” says Alexis Karpeles, curator of the Lake Mary museum and granddaughter of its founder. “There have been so many requests for special tours.”
The museum, which opened seven months ago off International Parkway and Lake Mary Boulevard, is part of a family-owned nonprofit business that manages similar galleries in small cities throughout the United States. The museums collectively display 10,000-plus artifacts representing more than a million pages of historical documents courtesy of Dr. David Karpeles.
Dr. Karpeles, a college-level math teacher turned real-estate agent who passed away last year, watched his kids’ eyes light up one day while visiting a museum that contained some original manuscripts written by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. That served as a catalyst to collect and later display an eclectic variety of handwritten and printed items ranging from books and songs to government documents and personal letters, all offering a novel glimpse into history.
David’s first purchase was The Prisoner of Zenda, an 1894 novel by Anthony Hope.
“He became captivated with his passion,” says his daughter Cheryl, the museum’s CFO, whose brother Mark serves as president of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit company. “He hoped to have an impact on society in some fashion with these collections. The goal is to share with others and learn from the past.”
Alexis Karpeles, the Lake Mary museum’s curator, holds a deer parchment scroll estimated at 250-300 years old that originated in Yemen relaying the story of Moses and the Ten Commandments in original Hebrew.
Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?
Raised Jewish in St. Paul, Minnesota, David met and married Marsha, and the couple would have four children. After having their first, Mark, the couple moved to Santa Barbara, California. Marsha and David would have celebrated 65 years together this year.
Dr. David Karpeles, the late founder of the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum. His children and granddaughter now run the 501(c)(3) company that manages several Karpeles Museums around the country including a new location in Lake Mary.
The first Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum opened in Santa Barbara. Dr. Karpeles wanted his collections on display in mid-sized cities, not major metropolitan areas already home to museums and cultural centers. At one time, the family managed 17 museums but has since cut back. The goal is to reduce the number of museums to five or six, concentrating on displays that even the youngest visitors can enjoy.
“Dad always said if a fifth grader could recognize the history of something, he wanted it,” says Mark. “He would auction off items that a fifth grader wouldn’t appreciate.
The Lake Mary museum was the first location to open after David died. It also serves as the headquarters for the family business. Mark resides in Longwood with matriarch Marsha, and Cheryl has lived throughout Seminole County for 30 years. The newest museum to open is on St. George’s Row in St. Augustine.
So Much History
To keep the displays fresh and allow further access for more people, a select number of collections are regularly rotated from museum to museum. Some of the fascinating gems to see in Lake Mary include:
A Battle of Jewish Wits
When Dr. Karpeles asked for Marsha Mirsky’s hand in marriage, she was only 17 years old, so she needed permission from her mother. Her mother said no, adding that she didn’t even believe David was Jewish.
She told Marsha that David had to prove to her father he was, in fact, Jewish. David agreed, but only if Marsha’s father would do the same for him. Impressed with young David’s moxie, Mr. Mirsky simply responded by wishing the couple a happy marriage. And as it turned out, following heritage testing years later, David proved to be more Jewish than Marsha.
• Napoleonic manuscripts with letters to generals and a letter from Napoleon announcing he had taken over as Emperor.
• The Gutenberg Bible, printed in 1452, one of only 11 remaining in the world. Special preserved pages, called leaves, feature the Passover Commandments, the Shema prayer, and the Ten Commandments.
• Letters penned by Florence Nightingale depicting the horrid conditions while caring for soldiers during the Crimean War.
• The original handwritten lyrics to “Rocka-Bye Baby,” circa 1884, by Effie Canning and the original handwritten music by Richard Wagner for the “Wedding March,” a.k.a. “Here Comes the Bride,” circa 1850.
• Original cells by Walt Disney artists line the Lake Mary museum’s back wall giving insight into early drawings of Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and Winnie the Pooh (Dr. Karpeles’s favorite).
Alexis says as the fall and winter holidays approach, she will display corresponding pieces such as the original music from The Nutcracker by Tchaikovsky at Christmastime and perhaps a macabre letter from Charles Manson on Halloween.
“We have something for everyone,” says Alexis. “The museum is a great learning opportunity. We offer a true interactive and personal visit.”
The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Lake Mary welcomes the public on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and by appointment during the week for groups, classes, and those wishing to hold a special event. For more information, please call Cheryl at 407-376-7705.
This story was originally published in print in Fall 2023.