In 1992, Lilian Casselberry was asked if her name was spelled like the city’s. The familiar question finally made her realize how detached her father Hibbard Casselberry’s identity was from the town he founded. She thought his story had been lost, but, thankfully, it had been stored away in his numerous old filing cabinets, boxes and safes, and the indelible memory of family and friends.

Lilian inherited Hibbard’s love for marketing. That year, she decided to have a three-day celebration to commemorate his birth. The event included a jazz concert, guided tour of the family home, art show and a 50-minute video, which she wrote and produced. City residents greeted their founder’s party and wanted more. From that, Lilian formed Casselberry, MY Kind of Town! a civic group which continued to weave together its history with schools, religious organizations and businesses into successful events for four years.

Lilian continues her father’s real estate business, and works to do justice to the stories of men and women who helped her father build and promote Casselberry as a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family.