Winn-Dixie founding family gifts $1.5 million for 'impactful and far-reaching' MOSH 2.0

The family that built the Winn-Dixie grocery store chain has donated $1.5 million to also help build a new $100 million Museum of Science and History location on Jacksonville's Northbank.

James E. and A. Dano Davis Family Charities contributed $1 million and Jill and Jed Davis added another $500,000 to the MOSH Genesis capital campaign.

"As a multi-generation Jacksonville family, we take pride in supporting organizations that elevate the quality of life for all families in Northeast Florida," said Jed Davis, president and CEO of D.D.I. Inc., the Davis family company.

"A project as impactful and far-reaching as this one requires support from across the philanthropic community — including personal contributions, family charities and corporate leaders," he said. "We are proud to align our family’s name with this important cultural institution and look forward to remaining engaged in its future growth and success."

MOSH was first formed in 1941 and has been on the city's Southbank for 55 years. The new facility is destined for the Jacksonville Shipyards site near the USS Orleck military museum off Bay Street.

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MOSH 2.0 will have almost twice the space as the current one, in a three-floor, 100,000-square-foot building. Exhibits are to use aspects of the St. Johns River as a navigation guide for visitors, beginning with a two-story water feature representing the 27-foot drop from the St. Johns' headwaters in Indian River County to where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean near Jacksonville. Then guests will follow "pathways that mimic the river’s role in connecting the region" interspersed with collections and content "islands" showcasing the area's "nature, innovation and culture," according to MOSH.

Construction is expected to take about 18 months, with a tentative opening date in 2027.

Other MOSH donors; funding deadlines

The Davis gifts are the latest to come from private sources. Other private donations include $5 million from Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan; $2.5 million from VyStar Credit Union; $1.1 million from the Lastinger family, including $1 million from the St. Augustine-based Lastinger Family Foundation and $100,000 from Lindsey Lastinger Riggs and Ryan Riggs; $1 million from the Ponte Vedra Beach-based Neviaser Foundation; $500,000 from PNC Bank and a "significant contribution" from the C. Herman and Mary Virginia Terry Foundation.

This week, MOSH representatives declined to say how much has been raised so far for the Genesis campaign. But previously they said the total was at least $20 million from private sources.

An initial deadline for raising at least $40 million in private funding was Dec. 31 but has since been extended to June 30. Incremental deadlines are $30 million by March 30, $35 million by April 30 and $40 million by June 30.

The Winn-Dixie Davis family

Jed Davis is grandson of J.E. Davis, who in 1925 with his father and brothers opened the first store of what would become the Winn-Dixie chain and later became company chairman. In 2005 Winn-Dixie filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, eventually ending the Davis family's ownership.

In 2012 the chain became part of Southeastern Grocers, which last year sold its Winn-Dixie and Harvey's stores to Aldi.

Jed Davis' wife, Jill Davis, is vice chairwoman of the MOSH board of trustees and chairwoman of the MOSH Genesis capital campaign cabinet. Her service in those posts, according to MOSH, is "fueled by her desire to generate philanthropic support for a brand-new, world-class museum in Jacksonville that is accessible to all members of the community, thus reinforcing the Davis family’s collective interest in pledging a substantial gift."

Maureen Mercho, MOSH chief development officer, worked with Jill Davis on the campaign and was "inspired by her personal dedication to bringing a world-class museum to Northeast Florida."

"She has selflessly contributed her time, resources and relationships to this effort. Her passion is shared by Jed and the entire Davis family," Mercho said. "By supporting this capital campaign, the Davis family is breaking down barriers to lifelong learning. We are grateful to count the Davises among the many Jacksonville families who are joining us in bringing this vision to life."

Multiple generations of the family have donated to Northeast Florida nonprofits, with their philanthropy primarily focused on health care-related projects, at-risk youth and education, according to MOSH. Recipients include the Mayo Clinic, The Mary Lou Davis Endowment for Women’s Heart Initiative at Ascension St. Vincent’s, the Davis College of Business at Jacksonville University, The Mary Lou Davis Family Life Center at Riverside Presbyterian Day School, the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and Seamark Ranch.

"The Davis family’s combined impact on Northeast Florida’s philanthropic community is undeniable," MOSH board chairman William Magevney said. "Their name carries a strong reputation not only for their business success but also for an exemplary level of active engagement in this region’s quality of life. We are deeply grateful to honor their generosity through the naming of the lobby at our new museum."

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The combined Davis gifts will be recognized in the naming of the museum's front lobby when the project is complete, according to MOSH.

In addition to private funding, the MOSH project has received a $20 million pledge from the city of Jacksonville. The city approved a lease for the city-owned Shipyards property and agreed to extend nearby A. Philip Randolph Boulevard and the Northbank Riverwalk and improve adjacent park land.

Also, MOSH is asking the Legislature for $5 million.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Winn-Dixie founding family donates to Jacksonville's new MOSH museum