April Happenings at the History Center

Festival of Writing

Now to April 7

There’s still time to experience the Festival of Writing at the Polk County History Center. This monthlong exhibit features poetry and short stories created by students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Creative Writing program at Southeastern University.

Cultural Resource Coordinator Jayme Jamison reflects on the significance of the Festival of Writing alongside Southeastern University English and Creative Writing Assistant Professor Amanda Forrester and Quinn Buckley, a student author whose work is featured. Together, they discuss what this exhibit means for residents who experience the stories and poems and for the students who created them, highlighting how the festival strengthens connections between local history, creative expression and community.

Following its run at the history center, the collection will travel to Southeastern University, where it will be displayed for staff and students to enjoy campuswide.

Watch Now: Polk Place

Polk Place - History Center Update with Jayme Jamison

April Events and Programs

Jayme Jamison joins host Bryan Lacey on Polk Place to talk about events and programs happening in April.

Polk Place - Polk County History Center and Genealogical Library with Shannon Graham

Historical and Genealogical Library Update

Shannon Graham shares updates about the library and Genealogy Speaker Series on Polk Place.

Evergreen Cemetery Tour

9 a.m. on April 4

Join the history center’s education team on a walking tour of the historic Evergreen Cemetery. Designated a Polk County Heritage Site by the Polk County Historical Commission in 2022, the cemetery anchors the legacies of Black pioneers in Polk County who endured enslavement, promoted agriculture and served our nation across several military engagements.

Participants must enter the cemetery via State Road 60 West, just past the intersection of Baker Avenue and West Main Street. The cemetery is across the street from Thunder Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 1425 W. Main St. in Bartow. A curator will be on site to provide directions for parking. Tours are free and reservations are not required.

This will be the last cemetery tour until October. Tours are offered the first Saturday of every month, October through April.

Note: The cemetery ground is uneven and visitors are advised to wear appropriate footwear.

Stay up to date on meetings and events happening within Polk County.

Polk County Events Calendar

Polk County Meetings Calendar

Architectural Tour

11 a.m. on April 18

Join history center’s education team on an architectural tour of the Polk County History Center. Discover the neoclassical architectural elements that historic courthouse architect E.C. Hosford incorporated in the design which defines this iconic Polk County landmark. The tour begins at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at the Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St. in Bartow. Tours are free and reservations are not required.

This month will focus on the unique geometric tiles that adorn the first-floor walkways.

Genealogy Speaker Series

10 a.m. on April 25

Diving into Directories: Ways to Find Family and Clues Between the Pages

presentation by Cheri Hudson Passey

City directories were once the go-to resource for finding information about residents, businesses and local addresses. Today, they remain a powerful tool for genealogists. Reading a directory can reveal unexpected clues about family members, community connections and additional records that may otherwise be overlooked.

The Polk County History Center welcomes Cheri Hudson Passey, a professional genealogist, instructor, writer and speaker, for an in-depth look at how to use these historic resources. Passey is the owner of Carolina Girl Genealogy, LLC, and host of the YouTube genealogy chat show GenFriends. She also conducts genealogical research as a subcontractor for Eagle Investigative Services, Inc., supporting the U.S. Army Past Conflict Repatriations Branch.

An active member of numerous genealogy organizations, Passey currently serves as vice president of Society and Organization Management for the National Genealogical Society.

The speaker will appear virtually via Zoom.

Guests are invited to participate via Zoom or in person at the Polk County History Center, 100 E. Main St. in Bartow. For additional information please contact Research and Genealogy Historian Shannon Graham by calling (863) 534-4604 or e-mail ShannonGraham@polkfl.gov.

March Highlights

Two New Inductees Added to the Legacies in Polk Government Leadership Exhibit

Two new inductees were added to the Polk County History Center’s Legacies in Polk Government Leadership exhibit during a ceremony on March 10.

Former county leaders Roy P. Gladney and Marlene Duffy Young were posthumously recognized for their service and the lasting impact their work had on Polk County.

As part of Polk County’s 165th anniversary year, their induction reflects the history center’s ongoing commitment to honoring individuals whose leadership guided the county through periods of change and progress. The recognition is reserved for individuals who served in elected or appointed roles and made meaningful contributions to residents. All nominations are reviewed against criteria set by the Polk County Historical Commission.

Visitors can explore the full exhibit and access additional information through interactive QR codes located throughout the display.

Learn more....

Legacies Polk Government Leadership Dedication

Roy P. Gladney

(1941 - 1963)

District 1 Polk County Commissioner

Marlene Duffy Young

(1988 - 2000)

District 3 Polk County Commissioner

Featured Exhibit

Featured Exhibit: Leisure and Tourism Gallery

Spring is a great time to explore local attractions and celebrate the places that make Polk County unique. Start your next adventure with a visit to the Leisure and Tourism Gallery at the history center. The gallery highlights favorite pastimes such as baseball and fishing in Polk County and showcases classic roadside attractions, including Spook Hill and the space‑age motels that once lined U.S. Highway 27.

Before you leave, be sure to pick up a copy of the History and Heritage Guide. The guide features historic and one‑of‑a‑kind destinations in each of Polk’s 17 municipalities, from Auburndale to Winter Haven.

Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library

Stop by the History Center to use the vast historical resources of the library to discover your family history. Learn about the towns and the families that made this area flourish through a selection of materials related to the history of Polk County and the entire southeast United States. Polk County resources include newspapers, aerial photographs, city directories, property tax rolls, cemetery records and more. Visitors also have free access to Ancestry.com.

Our dedicated library staff are available to assist you. To start your request, contact Research Historian Shannon Graham by phone at (863) 534-4604 or e-mail ShannonGraham@polk-county.net.

Digital Collections Online

The Polk County History Center’s digital collection offers a wide range of materials, including images of artifacts from the physical collection, newsletters, yearbooks, family Bibles, maps, aerial photographs, film and print photographs.

The digital archive continues to grow and evolve, providing users with fresh and engaging content.

View Polk County History Center Digital Collections

Each week a different vintage photograph from the history center's archives is featured on our social media pages. Check it out and see if you recognize any places or faces.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

Polk County Facebook

Polk County Instagram

Parks and Recreation

Polk County History Center

100 E. Main St., Bartow, FL 33830

(863) 534-4386

Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday

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