2nd quarter 2009           

Bill Dreggors recognized for devotion to county

Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno preceded his 2009 State of the County address with a special presentation to William “Bill” Dreggors for his tireless efforts to capture and share the rich history of Volusia County.

Bruno praised Dreggors’ significant contributions to the community’s heritage as he presented a plaque in his honor that will be on permanent display in the historic Volusia County Courthouse in downtown DeLand. Dreggors established and owns the Ice and Electrical Museum in the Stone Street Hospital Museum in DeLand at “Bill Dreggors Park,” named by the city in his honor in 1991. Dreggors was instrumental in creating the DeLand Naval Air Station Museum and has collaborated on and co-authored three books on the history of Volusia County. He has developed ongoing impersonations of historical Florida figures including Henry DeLand, the city‘s founder, Count Frederic DeBary, Seth French, and James Gamble.

A bronze plaque honoring historian Bill Dreggors is being placed in the Historic Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand.

Dreggors often appears in costume at civic, historical and educational events.

Most recently, he has volunteered considerable time and expertise as a member of the Volusia County Historic Preservation Board, chair of the West Volusia Tourism Advertising Authority, the DeBary Historical Preservation Board, and the St. Johns Heritage River Steering Committee of Heritage Rivers.

For four years, Dreggors served as a volunteer on the Florida Department of State’s Historic Preservation Advisory Council.

He has received numerous state and local awards for his work to preserve and communicate Florida’s history.