Terry Kline begins his third term as president of the West Pasco Historical Society when it reopens this September. It is an unpaid position, as the group is made up entirely of volunteers. Kline, 60, came to the Society in the ‘80s seeking more information about Indian tribes local to the area. “I was an amateur archeologist,” he said of himself at that time. When pressed, he admitted a history of digging at Indian burial sites; commonly referred to as “grave robbing,” Kline used the more colorful “pot-holer;” the term refers to the unsightly “pot-holes” diggers sometimes leave behind.

“I was always respectful, though,” Kline said—and a look around what he calls “the Indian room” at the Museum might persuade one to take him at his word. These days, Kline focuses his archeological tendencies on the cabinets upon cabinets of documents and photos from which he has compiled a binder of information on local tribes like the Tocobaga and the Timucuan, as well as a half dozen fliers about Florida’s tribes provided as supplements to the Museum’s exhibits. According to Kline, he is also active in the local American Indian Movement (AIM).

For those not in the know, the West Pasco Historical Society, located at the corner of Circle Lake and Grand in downtown New Port Richey, runs a museum, a research library, and a gift shop. They host events for Founder’s Day, keep genealogical records on numerous local families, and involve themselves in preserving all things West Pasco.

According to Dannee Brooks, vice president of the Historical Society, “People would be lucky to have Terry guide them around the museum.” Just don’t be surprised if he is barefoot during the tour or sporting the conductor’s cap that matches one his daddy used to wear.

According to Kline, the founders of the Historical Society tapped him for several favors during the course of getting the museum up and running. “Roy and the boys” he calls them: Roy Obenreder and other husbands of the founding ladies. They borrowed equipment to move the school house, and they rummaged over at his place for scrap metal to piece together a flag pole. Then they topped the pole with a metal toilet flapper ball he had laying around.

Besides first-hand acquaintance with some of the folks on display, Kline can tell you more than a little something about any of the numerous exhibits wedged into the old schoolhouse-turned-museum. He can tell you the history of the museum building, of the restored bandstand sharing the property, or of Sims Park (once called Enchantment Park). But if you tour the museum with Kline and his dates seem off, they probably are. He excels at the story telling, but to find out when the story took place, it may be best to take a brochure.

Over the course of a tour, Kline also revealed himself as a perfectionist. It is a trait he shares with many intelligent, industrious people, of course. He isn’t shy with his constructive criticism—of projects involving the Society, of the city, of those who fail to take his advice—but he is respectful. He is quick to offer up reasons why his dissenters may have chosen alternate solutions. Followed by reasons why his way is the way to go.

His drive to do things right is part of what drew him into service with the Historical Society. When he perceived the Society as woefully bereft of accurate information on local tribes and youthful volunteers, he began to help out around the grounds. After volunteering for some years, he had a strong disagreement with a policy decision. “I was at the meeting, and they told me, ‘If you don’t like it, become a board member and do something about it,’” said Kline. “So, the next year I was a board member.”

Kline seems to be an energetic administrator. He petitioned city manager Tom O’Neill for use of the Museum site during Chasco Fiesta. The West Pasco Chamber of Commerice traditionally used the space for part of the carnival setup, but Kline advocated that Museum be allowed to rent the space to vendors in order to raise funds. According to Kline, O’Neill ultimately decided in the Chamber’s favor. “There just isn’t enough space,” Kline said. Since the Museum is a non-profit with some restrictions on how funds are raised, it serves them well for Kline to be creative about seeking funds. During some events, he said, they are able to ask for a donation rather than a fee.

Kline has ideas for two books: one chronicling his childhood in West Pasco, and the other about his service in Vietnam. “And they’ll be written in my style,” he said. It is hard to imagine he could top his gift of gab, though. To hear for yourself, head over to the West Pasco Historical Society some Saturday afternoon. Get Terry Kline to tell you about Enchantment Park, about Orange Lake, and about the Grove sisters. Let us know if you think he’s pulling your leg; we weren’t sure.

Go-Do-See

West Pasco Historical Society Museum and Library
6431 Circle Blvd, New Port Richey, 727-847-0680
Open Friday and Saturday 1-4pm (except in June and July) and Tuesday 10am-1pm. Also open during special events and other opportunities can be arranged for school classes or group tours.

More details about the WPHS, including upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.