Mandarin Museum
First Saturday each month
10 am – 12 pm
(weather permitting, reservations required)


Mandarin Frogs molded and cast by the Mandarin “Frog Man” are available at Mandarin Museum and nowhere else. And you can paint your very own Mandarin Frog (or turtle or squirrel) on the 1st Saturday of the month on the Museum’s front lawn!

·  Frogs, sea turtles, and squirrels are $22; alligators are $26 (when available).
·  To reserve a spot, email info@mandarinmuseum.org or call (904) 268-0784.
·  Let us know which month you’d like to attend and the type(s) of animal you’d like to reserve.

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The Mandarin Frog Man


In 2015, a life-long Mandarin resident began making and painting concrete frogs to place along the roadside. His original intention was to simply bring a smile to passersby with his colorful, one-of-a-kind creations. Eventually, he approached the Mandarin Museum to offer the frogs as a fundraising project, with the entirety of the sales going towards our development and programming.

Initially, he did not wanted us to publicize his name or show his face in photos. Instead, he was publicly known only as the “Frog Man.” Over time, he did reveal his identity: Don Bowden, a lifetime Mandarin resident.

He began the project as a hobby, but has become a local folk artist who inspires others through the joy and creativity of his work. Thousands of his creations are now in Mandarin yards (and across the world), and he has been featured in several news articles, interviewed by WJXT, and has become a full-fledged Mandarin Museum & Historical Society volunteer. In honor of his contributions to the community, Don was awarded the Cultural Council of Great Jacksonville’s Art of Giving Award in 2019.

We can never thank the “Frog Man” enough for all that he’s done for the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society and the community as a whole!!


Press about the Frog Man

· Who’s Behind the Mandarin Frogs?, WJXT
· Mandarin Frog Man Makes Frogs for the Mandarin Museum, Florida Times-Union
· Mark Walks Jax: Walking with the Mandarin Frogs, Florida Times-Union
· The Frog Man of Mandarin, Florida Times-Union
· Mandarin’s Mysterious Frogs, Mandarin NewsLine