"It's a Pleasure to Search and a Joy to Find." That's the unofficial motto of The Questers, a non profit organization with chapters in 43 states and 2 Canadian provinces. Quester headquarters is located in a building that the Philadelphia Historical Commission has certified as "historically significant to the area."

The organization grew out of one woman's desire to provide a bit of joy in the lives of people who enjoy learning and sharing. Jessie Elizabeth (Bess) Barden was working for the Red Cross in Philadelphia during the dark days of World II. By 1944, people were growing weary and discouraged; Bess saw the need to inject a little fun into the lives of her coworkers. She had always been interested in antiques and the stories behind old things. After she invited the first group of people to her home for refreshments and study, the idea of forming study groups spread. In 1950, Questers became a national organization, achieving non profit status in 1953. In 1991, Canada's inclusion of two provinces gave Questers the right to call themselves an international organization.

The Questers have two main purposes: preservation and restoration, and education. Preservation and Restoration (P&R) is funded by $2 from each member's annual International dues of $20 plus various other donations. Last year Florida Questers donated $12,000 to various projects and $3,500 is available for P & R grants within the state. In addition to money, Questers devote time and energy to various projects. Last year, Florida Questers donated 2,519 hours to community service.

The International Questers organization provides two scholarships each year to graduate students earning a Master of Science in preservation and restoration. The organization also awards a three year fellowship to a graduate student working for a Master of Science in art conservation. The Fellowship program, established at University of DelawarelWinterthur provides for study in archival care and conservation, restoration and proper storage of art, antiquities, and artifacts. The Questers organization includes in its publicity information that "mankind's historical record will profoundly benefit from the wisdom, care, and tireless efforts of these dedicated preservationists, and conservators."

Voluntary donations, usually from the chapters, also include the P&R fund, International Grants fund, Headquarters Maintenance fund, Educational Resource fund, and the care of the home office library with its slide and video programs and study papers. Members may write and submit a study paper on historical subjects of their choosing, using guidelines issued by the headquarters office.

The annual Founder's A ward offers all members another opportunity for research and writing. The Founder's Award given in memory of Bess Barden is the highest award for research. The topic for 2006 will be "Chicago's Roaring Twenties." Winners are announced at the Convention and published in Quester Quotes, the organization's quarterly newsletter. Some states also distribute a state newsletter biannually or quarterly. Florida's state newsletter is Cracker Crumbs, named for Florida crackers-crack of the whip-- a culture that has played an important part in Florida history. Florida's project the past two years was helping to restore the Safford House in Tarpon springs.

On the state level, local chapters meet monthly except for the three summer months-June, July, and August. Each chapter chooses a name from an historic item, person, site, or happening. The first Quester chapter to form in Florida is Seminole, named for the Native Americans who lived in southern Florida. Ponce de Leon, Florida's second chapter, is named for a Spanish explorer. Many chapters also maintain a specific project such as Lovey Pritchard, named for one of the first settlers in Titusville. The chapter is helping with restoration of Ms. Pritchard's home.

To form a chapter all you need are eight or more people interested in studying and preserving treasures of the past and present and coming together in a spirit of friendship and sharing. Each chapter is entitled to apply for grants of $500 to $5,000 to fund their specific projects. Chapters can also maintain their own small treasuries through local fund raisers. Some chapters simply pass a collection can at each meeting for free will offerings. Other chapters occasionally hold bidding auctions for donated items at their meetings to raise money for P & R.

The Questers have serious goals, but they also have fun. Each year a different state hosts an International Convention. This gathering of Questers from the United States and Canada includes four days of tours, seminars, banquets, visits to antique stores, and opportunities to visit old friends and meet new friends. Florida hosted the International convention in Orlando in 1997 at the Clarion Plaza Hotel. The theme was "Rediscovering Florida." Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to tour St. Augustine on the northeast coast and the town of Mount Dora, an old Florida cracker town in the center of the state. The Bess Barden seminars included information on fairy lamps and an educational offering on condensed milk holders.

The highest office in Questers is International President, with an International board. Each state maintains a similar structure. Last year the International president was Linda Goshorne of the Lovie Pritchard chapter in Titusville. This year Linda is president of her chapter. International Quester officers attend three board meetings each year-two at the headquarters building in Pennsylvania and one meeting at the convention site.

State and province chapters conduct Quester business meetings twice a year. Last year the Florida State Convention was held on November 11 at the Clearwater Country Club. Several chapters usually host these annual meetings. The chapters helping to organize the Clearwater event were Ponce de Leon of Seminole, Tocobago Traders of St. Petersburg Beach, and Survey Creek of Naples. The program that year was "1860 Period Attire," presented by Ms Kay Holley, an active member of the Daughters of the American Confederacy. Ms. Holley researched and made the authentic Civil War era attire she used for the program.

A similar program is held in the spring. In 2005, Curlew Searchers chapter of Safety Harbor hosted the Florida State Questers Annual Spring Council Meeting at the Wine Cellar at Reddington Beach. As at most Florida state meetings, members brought donations to sell in the Ye Old Curiosity Shoppe, a kind of traveling rummage sale. Some chapters also hold special annual meetings. Fort Harrison chapter number 208 of Belleair, Florida enjoys a salad potluck luncheon each May when they look back on the year's accomplishments and listen to a guest speaker.

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