Former St. Augustine Record managing editor Margo Pope receives history award

Both Margo Pope and Adelaide Sanchez worked as journalists in St. Augustine, and now they're connected by something else.

Pope grew up in St. Augustine, and, in some ways, grew up at The St. Augustine Record, ultimately working for the newspaper for more than two decades as a professional journalist.

Sanchez worked for The Record from 1930-43 and worked for the Miami Herald as assistant woman's editor. She returned to St. Augustine and donated her house for historic preservation purposes.

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On Monday, Pope became the latest recipient of an award the city created in honor of Sanchez: the Adelaide Sanchez Award for Historic Education and Interpretation. Pope, 75, of St. Augustine, received the award in front of a crowded commission meeting room at City Hall.

"I was blown away when I heard about this," Pope told the crowd. "I really am still in a lot of shock because as I was saying when I came in, and I've said many times before recently, I'm not used to being at the front of the room other than badgering some of these wonderful commissioners."

Sanchez, who died in 1994, left her home on Marine Street to the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board. When the board was abolished, the property went to the city. In line with Sanchez's wishes, the property was sold and the proceeds went to a trust "with the interest earned being designated for awards, programs and stipends with the goal of advancing the interests of historic restoration, preservation, education and interpretation," according to the city.

The city awarded Pope a miniature lion like the marble statues on the west side of the Bridge of Lions.

'The first draft of history'

The city chose Pope for her contributions in journalism and other work preserving and sharing history, such as her efforts at the historic Peña-Peck House and contributing to Textile Arts Guild of St. Augustine.

Pope's family and officials from across the community attended the award ceremony.

Pope grew up in St. Augustine ― her parents moved here in the '40s after World War II, Commissioner John Valdes said. And after decades in the community, she's had a hand in many events and organizations over the years beyond the newspaper.

"I don't know anybody other than perhaps the bishop himself that can command a whole row of nuns, but the Sisters of St. Joseph are here in force," Mayor Tracy Upchurch said on Monday.

Pope said her earliest mentions in The Record started in the '50s when Pope was 8 years old and a scribe for the Wetomachich Bluebird chapter of the Camp Fire Girls, a youth group that Pope described as similar to Cub Scouts. Pope wrote about their activities, and the blurbs ran in The Record's youth section, she said.

Pope's mother, Angela M. Cox, wrote for The Record and other publications, and her dad, J. Edward "Red" Cox, would take her to the old St. Augustine Record building at Bridge and Cordova streets on Saturdays when he wrote about sports happenings for the city's recreation department, which he led.

"It's all in my blood," she said.

Pope's professional journalism career spanned decades of work at The Florida Times-Union and The Record.

Over more than 20 years at The Record, her titles included managing editor, features editor, special projects editor, local columnist, associate editor and editorial page editor. Though she retired in 2012, she still contributes a column, Pope's View.

She reported on local government and is an advocate for strong laws that ensure public access to government meetings and records. Her April column encouraged people to become "Sunshine warriors."

"I take very seriously the idea that newspapers ― reporters, editors ― protect the first draft of history," Pope said. "Because if you think about it, and I do it, too, where do I go to begin the story? I'm over at the research library going through every imaginable clip they have."

Protecting the city's treasures

Construction on the Peña-Peck property began in 1750 as a home for Spanish colonial treasurer Juan Estevan de Peña. It was continually occupied by families until 1931 when the house's last owner, Anna Gardner Burt, died. Burt left the property and contents to the city of St. Augustine with the stipulation that the house was "maintained as an example of the old antebellum homes of the South."

After Burt's death, the Woman's Exchange of St. Augustine took over the stewardship of the building and its contents, renting it from the city. People can now tour the property at 143 St. George St.

Pope has helped preserve and promote the property over the years, including serving as Woman's Exchange president, and she's currently the History Committee chair.

"As such, Pope is responsible for ensuring the authentic history of the Peña-Peck House, as well as providing the Woman’s Exchange to visitors," according to the city.

As part of the city's 450th anniversary preparations, she helped lead the creation of a visitor orientation center at the property.

Pope has also helped re-enact history, too.

As part of the Textile Arts Guild of St. Augustine, she has promoted "15th century blackwork stitchery."

Pope said her interest in the city's history came in part from her experiences as a child growing up in the oldest city, such as watching an archaeological dig take place near her home on Marine Street.

"They would let you look, but you couldn't touch anything," she said.

Historian Susan Parker, who holds a doctorate in colonial history, has known Pope since grade school, according to the city.

“While the Pena-Peck House is the closest to her heart, her concern radiates to other historic treasures and informing the public of their importance," Parker said in the release.

In her speech to the Commission on Monday, Pope encouraged people to support historic preservation.

"Whether you contribute financially, you volunteer, it all makes a difference in preserving the historic record of this wonderful proud city, America's oldest," she said.

― Journalist Peter Willott and former reporter Marcia Lane contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on St. Augustine Record: St. Augustine officials honor journalist Margo Pope with award