May Happenings at the History Center
Journey into Polk history this month at the Polk County History Center. The following programs and events will be held virtually and are open to the public and free of charge:
- May 8, 11 a.m. to noon – Zoom & Vroom: Historic Homes & Architecture
- To celebrate National Historic Preservation Month, the May Zoom and Vroom program features the Lake Wales Downtown Historic District as part of Polk’s Heritage Trail. The city was established in 1917 and residential and commercial districts which date to this era achieved National Register status in 1990 and 1997. Learn more about the many historic sites including homes, commercial blocks, hotels, lodges and the railroad station, many of which were built in the “Boom and Bust” period of Florida’s history. Hit the road and experience the 11 sites featured on the Lake Wales Heritage Trail available on the Polk Government Facebook page.
- May 15, 11 a.m. – Architectural Tour
- Continue the celebration of National Historic Preservation Month with an architectural tour of the History Center. This month, we focus on the original and ongoing preservation of the Polk County History Center. Discover the neoclassical architectural elements that define this iconic landmark. The old courthouse was built in 1908 and achieved National Register status in 1989. The architectural tour occurs at 11 a.m. the third Saturday of each month.
- May 28, 10 a.m. – Genealogy Speaker Series: “The Old Uses of Your House Forgotten” by Dan Hartman, Director of the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, Minnesota
- In Hartman’s live virtual presentation, he will provide a brief outline of how to begin to research your old home/property, then highlight many of the forgotten original uses or intentions of homes that have been misconstrued today, several of which are becoming popular again.
On May 29 at 10 a.m., a replay of this recorded presentation will be available through Zoom format.
This is a virtual program, reservations are required. For Zoom details, contact Preston Petermeier at (863) 534-4604 or PrestonPetermeier@polk-county.net
- May 13, 2:30 p.m. – The Polk County Historical Commission and Marker Committee will meet in the Boardroom at the County Administration Building, 330 West Church Street, Bartow. Meetings are open to the public.
The Polk County History Center is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday at 100 E. Main St. in Bartow. Visit https://link.edgepilot.com/s/1129c4c6/Qk9s0VZiS0aJwNmHFZqflg?u=http://www.polkhistorycenter.org/ or call (863) 534-4386 for more information on exhibits and programming. All programs and events are free and open to the public.