August Happenings at the History Center

The History Center is Open

After months of ongoing restoration and preservation work, the Polk County History Center has reopened to welcome visitors.

While some galleries may remain closed as final work on the building is completed, all safe and accessible areas, including the Historical and Genealogical Library, are open to the public. Visitors are encouraged to call (863) 534-4386 in advance to confirm availability.

Upcoming Events & Programs

Polk Place - History Center August Update with Jayme Jamison

Curator of Education and Visitor Engagement Jayme Jamison joins host Bryan Lacey on Polk Place to discuss the events and programs happening in August at the History Center.

Polk Place - Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library

Research and Genealogy Historian Shannon Graham joins host Bryan Lacey on Polk Place to discuss updates and events from the Historical and Genealogical Library.

Architectural Tour

11 a.m. | Aug. 16

Join Bartholomew Delcamp, Curator of Collections, as he portrays historic courthouse architect E.C. Hosford on an architectural tour of the History Center. Discover the neoclassical architectural elements that Hosford incorporated in the design that define this iconic Polk County landmark. The tour begins at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month.

This month, we focus on the original floor plan and where divisions such as the Tax Assessor and Licensing were located.

Genealogy Speaker Series

10 a.m. | Aug. 30

Breaking Down Brick Walls: Simple Strategies for Beginners

Presented by Diane Henriks

Genealogist Diane Henriks will be hosting a discussion on how to overcome obstacles while researching your family tree.

At some point, everyone working on their family tree encounters a brick wall, a frustrating point where their research seems to hit a dead end. These barriers can take various forms and hinder progress in tracing family history. A genealogy brick wall can be frustrating and discouraging, but it does not mean that the research is impossible. Follow along and see how you can break through to continue building your family tree.

Henriks is a professional genealogist with a passion for uncovering the rich histories and stories hidden within family trees. Based out of Los Angeles County, Henriks specializes in the challenging areas of unknown parentage, descendancy research, brick wall cases and living people search.

This is a virtual program. The presenter will appear virtually. Guests are invited to participate via Zoom. For Zoom details, please contact Shannon Graham, Research and Genealogy Historian by calling (863) 534-4386 or e-mail ShannonGraham@polk-county.net.

Polk County Historical Commission and Marker Committee Meeting

2:30 p.m. | Aug. 7

The Polk County Historical Commission and Marker Committee will meet in the Commissioners Boardroom on the first floor of the County Administration Building at 330 W. Church St. in Bartow. The meetings are open to the public.

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

Polk County Events Calendar

Polk County Meetings Calendar

Featured Exhibit

The 19th Amendment at 100 Years:

A Milestone of Democracy for Women’s Suffrage

In 1848, the first calls for women’s suffrage were made from a convention at Seneca Falls, New York. This convention launched a 70-year struggle to secure the right to vote for women. The 19th Amendment which granted voting rights to women was ratified in August 1920.

The exhibition at the History Center explores the path to women’s voting rights and highlights the influential women involved in the campaign including Dr. Mary Jewett, Mary McLeod Bethune, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Marian Horwitz, Florida’s first female mayor.

Hidden History

Historic tin roofing tiles uncovered in History Center attic

Contractors inspecting the History Center attic recently uncovered tin tile roofing shingles believed to date back to the original construction of the courthouse in the early 1900s. The interlocking metal tiles were prized for their fire resistance, durability and decorative design, offering a glimpse into the craftsmanship of the era.

Inspectors also discovered a section of the original roof still intact towards the west elevation, which had been hidden by the 1926 building addition.

Visitors can view the shingles in person during the August Architectural Tour, led by Curator of Collections Bartholomew Delcamp, at 11 a.m. on Aug. 16.

aerial view of Polk County History Center

Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library

Did you know that you can reach out to the History Center directly for historical inquiries? Struggling to find that one tax record, or curious about a street name or pioneer settler in Polk? Our dedicated library staff are available to help you. To start your request, contact Research Historian Shannon Graham by phone at (863) 534-4604 or e-mail ShannonGraham@polk-county.net.

The History Center’s extensive artifact and photograph collection are available on our website. Visit www.polkhistorycenter.org, select “Historical Museum Collection” and use the keyword search feature.

Digital Collections Online

The Polk County History Center's collection features a variety of materials – documents, photographs, maps, audio/visual media and three-dimensional items. These items are accessible to the public digitally through our inventory database and through specially curated digital albums via CONTENTdm.

To access the digital albums, click here.
Access the extensive artifact and photograph collection inventory by visiting www.polkhistorycenter.org and selecting “Historical Museum Collection.” You can use the keyword search feature.

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