{"id":115427,"date":"2026-01-12T19:56:08","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:56:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/115427\/"},"modified":"2026-01-12T19:56:08","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T19:56:08","slug":"village-to-present-author-talk-book-presentation-sanibel-captiva","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/115427\/","title":{"rendered":"Village to present author talk, book presentation – SANIBEL-CAPTIVA"},"content":{"rendered":"


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SANIBEL HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND VILLAGE
\nThe Sanibel Historical Museum and Village will present its next Twilight Talk program, \u201cThe Rutland Mule Matter,\u201d with historian and author Richard \u201cRick\u201d Lee Cronin on Jan. 16 in the Shore Haven.<\/p>\n

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RICHARD LEE CRONIN
\n\u201cThe Rutland Rule Matter\u201d<\/p>\n

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Tickets are available for the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village\u2019s next Twilight Talk program.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Rutland Mule Matter\u201d will take place on Jan. 20 from 4 to 5 p.m. in the Shore Haven at the village on Sanibel. It will entail a presentation with historian and author Richard \u201cRick\u201d Lee Cronin about his book, \u201cThe Rutland Rule Matter,\u201d which explores a Central Florida historical mystery.<\/p>\n

Education Committee Chair Virginia Darby explained that the Rutland House was the first building relocated to the village in 1984, which longtime beloved islander Clarence Rutland once lived in.<\/p>\n

\u201cIsaac N. Rutland is a historical mystery that Rick Cronin has tried to resolve,\u201d she said. \u201cSo this is a story about a family that settled on Sanibel, has long roots to Florida\u2019s history and is an absolutely intriguing historical mystery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Rutland Rule Matter\u201d is a historical fiction about a Civil War incident involving the Rutland family. Clarence Rutland\u2019s grandfather, Isaac, was an Orange County delegate from the 19th Senatorial District. He voted no in the 1861 Secession Convention. The story is told from the point of view of Othman, Isaacs\u2019s son and Clarence\u2019s father. Othman tries to learn how his father died, and why in 1865 Union troops returned his dead father\u2019s mule to his mother in rural Florida. The book includes a bibliography, a number of indisputable facts and some logical conjecture about Isaac\u2019s role in the Civil War, his death and subsequent \u201cdisappearance\u201d from Florida historical records.<\/p>\n

A Florida historian and author of more than a dozen published books, Cronin has an interest in late-1800s pioneers who helped shape modern Florida. His multi-year research uncovered a U.S. Marshal\u2019s file from 1865 titled \u201cThe Rutland Mule Matter,\u201d which provided new insight into Rutland\u2019s fate and the legacy of the Rutland family, whose descendants played a significant role in Sanibel\u2019s early history.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe book is a compelling read,\u201d Darby said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first part of it is historical fiction. It\u2019s an account of Isaac N. Rutland\u2019s son trying to find out about his father,\u201d she added. \u201cThe second half of the book is the historical explanation. It deals with the actual history of \u2018The Rutland Rule Matter\u2019 and the family.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the presentation, Cronin will begin with the Rutlands on Sanibel and work his way back, speaking about the families, going through historical discoveries and the experience of the Civil War history.<\/p>\n

Afterward, there will be a Q&A with Cronin.<\/p>\n

Darby noted that some of the family members will be in attendance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re going to be introduced,\u201d she said, adding that they may answer questions.<\/p>\n

Copies of \u201cThe Rutland Rule Matter\u201d will be available for purchase.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019ll be available to sign those,\u201d Darby said.<\/p>\n

The village will also have other books available to buy.<\/p>\n

Refreshments will be provided.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re going to have treats from The Shack of Sanibel,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20.<\/p>\n

The community is invited to reserve a seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyone who loves Sanibel should learn her history,\u201d Darby said. \u201cAnd anyone who has read \u2018A Land Remembered\u2019 will resonant with this presentation.\u201d<\/p>\n

For tickets or more information, visit www.sanibelmuseum.org<\/a> or call 239-472-4648.<\/p>\n

The Sanibel Historical Museum and Village is at 950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel.<\/p>\n

\u2026..<\/p>\n

IF YOU GO<\/p>\n

What<\/p>\n

Twilight Talk<\/p>\n

When<\/p>\n

Jan. 20 from 4 to 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

Where<\/p>\n

Sanibel Historical Museum and Village, 950 Dunlop Road, Sanibel<\/p>\n

Details<\/p>\n

Tickets are $20<\/p>\n


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