Nine local authors gathered at the Beaches Museum on Thursday, Aug. 27, for the inaugural Beaches Book Day, a free event spotlighting writers who document the history of Jacksonville Beach and its neighbors.

The daylong program ran from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at 381 Beach Blvd. Presentations covered subjects including Mayport's earliest days and the rise and fall of Einstein A Go-Go, the all-ages music club that hosted Nirvana, Soundgarden and the Red Hot Chili Peppers at 327 First St. N. from 1985 to 1997.

According to the announced lineup in the Beach Gazette, Neil McGuiness opened the schedule with "The Beaches: A History and Tour." Vic DiGenti followed with "James R. Anthony," the story of a banker who helped shape Florida's history. Ron Whittington presented "Hidden History of Jacksonville," covering the city's forgotten landmarks and characters.

@WhittingtonPR: "Local authors on hand for Beaches Book Day from 11 to 4 at the Beaches Museum in Jax Beach."

Dorothy Fletcher took the 12:45 p.m. slot with a fictional account of Fort Caroline drawn from the journals of commander René Laudonnière and artist Jacques Le Moyne de Morgues. Authors Burke and Davis presented on Jacksonville's Gullah Geechee heritage.

Dee Edenfield Marling and Jennifer Curry Compton, both members of the Occupancy 250 writing team, discussed their photographic history of Einstein A Go-Go. The pair explored the club's story during what the Beach Gazette called Jacksonville Beach's "blighted years." The venue's official capacity was 250 people, giving the book its name.

Tamara Floyd presented "Mayport Memories," a collection of works by her mother, Helen Cooper Floyd (1922–1998), a Mayport native who spent decades as a teacher, journalist and historical researcher. Maggie Fitzroy closed the program with "Images of America," a photographic record of Jacksonville Beach and Ponte Vedra Beach.

Admission was free for museum members. Non-members were asked for a suggested $5 donation, and registration was required. Following each presentation, guests could meet the authors and purchase signed copies.

The Beaches Museum said it plans to make Book Day an annual tradition. No date for a 2027 edition has been announced.

The museum, operated by the Beaches Area Historical Society, is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. General admission is free.