In 1842, The
Armed Occupation Act ratified by the U.S. Congress, stated: “any settler who came to Florida, lived on the land for five years, cultivated five acres, and built a dwelling would be granted 160 acres”. Richard Wiggins homesteaded the land where the May Stringer house is located. In 1855, John L. May purchased the property and built a four-room home for his family. John lived the house with his wife, Marena, and their daughters, Matilda and Annie. Unfortunately, John died of tuberculosis three years later. Frank Saxon sold the home, and the property eventually made its way to Dr. Sheldon Stringer. The doctor added ten rooms to the house giving it the Victorian appearance it has today. The estate also served the doctor's medical practice for many years. After the death of the Stringers, the house passed from one owner to another until Dr. Earl Hensley and his wife Helen sold it to The Hernando Historical Museum Association in 1980. The May-Stringer Heritage Museum is one of three museums operated by the Hernando Historical Museum Association. In addition to the May-Stringer House, the 1885 Brooksville Train Depot Museum and One Room Schoolhouse Museum are run by the Association. == Haunting ==