Joan Mickelson, Ph.D.

JOAN MICKELSON was born to parents who were among the first residents of Hollywood, Florida. Tony Mickelson arrived with J. W. Young’s first 12 men in 1920 and Lamora came in 1925. Both worked for the Hollywood Land and Water Company and both were deeply involved in Hollywood the rest of their lives. Tony worked for the city, and as City Manager had the bad luck of holding that position during the 1947 hurricanes and great flood. Lamora’s Outdoor School operated from 1938 to the ‘70s. Joan attended her mother’s school, then Hollywood Central and South Broward High. Heading north to college she received her A.B. from Harvard University, a Masters from the University of Chicago, and Doctorate from Harvard, all in Modern art history. For over thirty years she was a museum curator and director, writing, editing, and publishing articles and exhibition catalogues. Upon retirement Joan returned to Florida to write the biography of her hometown city builder, Joseph W. Young, Jr. and the City Beautiful. Active since 2002 in the Hollywood Historical Society (which her parents helped found), Joan served on the board as both Secretary and Treasurer, and continues to use her museum training serving as volunteer archivist. Most of her free time is spent writing. Currently she is doing research for a proposed triple biography of three early Hollywoodians (including her father) who served in World War One. Awards: From the Hollywood, Florida Community Redevelopment Agency, for outstanding contributions to the community, 2019 From the city of Hollywood, in recognition for her dedication to preserving the history of the city of Hollywood, 2010 From the Broward County, Florida, Historical Commission, the Cooper Kirk Memorial Award, for Dedication to the Preservation of Broward County History, 2005 From the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, award for Service to History and Culture of the Town of Framingham, 2002. Professional organizations: Authors Guild Biographers International Florida Writers Association American Alliance of Museums Florida Association of Museums Society of Florida Archivists Mystery Writers of American Sisters in Crime Friends of the Everglades