12-02-2025
NSB resident recognized for effort to preserve home's historic character
NEW SMYRNA BEACH — One of the oldest towns in Florida, New Smyrna Beach is home to several historic properties, and whose proud owners are happy to do what they can to preserve their homes' notable charm.
To celebrate such residents and their properties, the city presents the annual Donnadine Miller Historic Preservation award, which this year went to Marie Bushey and her 1955 periwinkle bungalow on 24th Avenue.
"It's so important to me that the city recognize that these homes are a part of our history," Bushey said in an interview. "They should be deemed historic, hoping that others will be inspired to preserve these periwinkle-style homes, or any older home in New Smyrna Beach."
The award, created in 2002, is named after Donnadine Miller, a longtime resident "who was an active volunteer and member of the community," according to the city. She served as chair of the Historic New Smyrna Beach Preservation Commission, "worked as an amateur archaeologist and participated in numerous other historic preservation events and activities."
The award "promotes the awareness and appreciation of buildings and sites in New Smyrna Beach that contribute to the city's heritage and character," according to the city.
Bushey said receiving the award was "a huge honor."
"Specifically because of what Donnadine has done for preserving New Smyrna Beach," she said.
Bushey has lived at the home since 2004. The approximately 800-square-foot structure has an overall light yellow exterior with green details and is surrounded by five live oak trees, some of which Bushey planted herself.
"I really like the simpleness of these homes," Bushey said in an interview. "They are very sturdy and withstood many hurricanes. I like their quaint, simple style."
Bushey and her husband recently updated the part of the house's electric and plumbing infrastructure. But even as she reworked her bathroom, she used 1950-style tiles to fill the space.
"So I basically wanted to put it back the way it was before," she said.
Although Bushey was not entirely familiar with the magnitude of the community's involvement in historic preservation when she moved to New Smyrna Beach more than 20 years ago, she gradually grew more aware of the neighborhood's shared sentiment.
She said living among several neighbors who also own historic homes gives her an added sense of community.
"Many of these people have lived in these homes for many, many years," she said. "It creates that sense of community, versus the larger homes, where they might even be a second home for someone, and they might not get to meet their neighbors and experience the community."
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NSB awards resident for effort to keep historic character of her home
