Our Mission

FOME members inside the mansion during renovation

Formed in 2001, the original mission of the Friends of Mount Elizabeth was to assist Martin County in restoring and preserving The Mansion at Tuckahoe to be used by the public as a venue for events such as receptions, business meetings, weddings, and local social events.

Since the opening of the newly restored facility in 2010, the Friend’s mission has been to raise funds to provide enhancements to The Mansion.

Research and Support

FOME members gathered around a podium

When the property that is known as Indian RiverSide Park was purchased by Martin County, The Mansion at Tuckahoe was in complete disrepair with no windows and doors, a leaking roof, and broken plaster walls.

The Friends increased awareness of the restoration project and obtained the support of local citizens, businesses, and legislators to obtain State Historic Preservation Grant funds to begin the restoration work.

Extensive research conducted by the Friends on the history of the property and the Leach family, who built The Mansion, was used to have The Mansion placed on the National Registry of the Historic Places in 2005. In turn, Martin County was designated The Mansion as a Historic Place.

In 2006, through the efforts of the Friends of Mount Elizabeth and others, the voters of Martin County approved a referendum imposing a half-cent sales tax for a period of five years.

A portion of the funds raised was used to finish the restoration of The Mansion at Tuckahoe and the newly restored facility was reopened in 2010.

Fundraising and Enhancements

Attendees at a fundraiser event

Friends of Mount Elizabeth, through several fundraising events and a grant from the Frances Langford Foundation, has provided over $68,484.24 in continuing enhancements to The Mansion, including:

  • The Mansion at Tuckahoe Logo
  • Brochures distributed throughout the County and to visitors
  • Historic information for outdoor placards regarding The Mansion
  • A tram for transportation of visitors
  • Furniture for the Bride’s Dressing Room and Groom’s Dressing Room
  • Artwork and historical photographs throughout The Mansion
  • Restoration of The Coca-Cola Room and Bar in the basement, including flooring, a lighted bar, a restored refrigerated Coca-Cola chest, memorabilia, and a timeline of Coca-Cola and its connection to the Leach family
  • A colorful mosaic lily pond constructed in Italy that replicates the historic lily pond on the back terrace
  • Granite countertops in the main room and breakfast room
  • New flooring on the second floor to replace the carpeting

Historic Tours

A tour guide with a group of tour guests

Since the restoration, the Friends of Mount Elizabeth have provided free, historic tours of The Mansion at Tuckahoe to the public. These tours include a detailed history of the property, The Mansion at Tuckahoe, and the Leach family that built the home in 1938.

Tours take place every first and third Wednesday of the month, starting on October 2, 2024, through May 21, 2025, at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. We ask our visitors to arrive 15 minutes ahead of tour time.

The Future

The Friends of Mount Elizabeth continues to raise funds to support and enhance the beautiful Mansion at Tuckahoe which truly is a Martin County treasure. If you would like to donate, please send contributions to:

The Friends of Mount Elizabeth
P.O. Box 194
Jensen Beach, Florida, 34958

For more information, please call (772) 463-3201.

The mansion at night