Polk County History Center

I am increasingly amazed at the level of detail and gorgeous presentation of this county museums and History Centers. Everything looks so clean and professionally designed. I especially loved the Dixie Highway exhibit as old Roadside Attractions are a personal obsession.nThe staff is very helpful and the building is very clean and well kept. A good museum will teach your something new and we left the Polk County History Center with a wealth of additional knowledge. Highly recommend this visit!

The Polk County History Center is located in the historic 1908 Courthouse located on Main Street in Bartow. I love this trend of turning these historic courthouses into history museums when their cities outgrow the space. These old courthouses are designed in an elegant Neoclassical design. They also made courthouses into museums in Orlando and West Palm Beach. The 1908 courthouse in Bartow served as the Polk County Courthouse from 1908 until 1987. In 1988 the building was turned into the Polk County History Center and Genealogical Research Library. In 1989 the courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.nnAdmission to the museum is free and there is free street parking. You start your self guided tour with a video exhibition guide. The museum has 11 permanent and four temporary galleries over two floors.On the first floor is a gift shop and 7 galleries that cover history from the pioneers to the industrialists. Displays include what school was like at the turn of the century, early 1900's women's fashion, World Series championships, area landmarks, fishing, lost attractions, historic Dixie Hwy, Publix, Coke a Cola, trains, the citrus industry, cattle ranching, pioneers, and African-Americans in early Polk County.nnOn the second floor there are two restored courtrooms, one from 1908 and one from 1926, the genealogical library, displays about Polk County's military history and the paleo Indians including, a dugout canoe from 400-570 AD, an arts and culture gallery, and displays about women's suffrage, In the temporary gallery they were having a quilt exhibit.nnI love that the courthouse is rumored to be haunted. A lady in white has been reported on the second and third floors and screams have been heard in the basement. Some guests have reported cold spots. As you walk around the galleries it is not too difficult to imagine that this building is haunted.nnI had a very nice time exploring the museums collection of fossils, clothing, military relics, and household items. The Polk County History Center is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This is a really great museum with a wide range of items s that will appeal to everyone and it's free. Come out and learn about the history of Polk County and Florida's heritage.

It was a great experience. And the Staff were a great help.

An absolutely fantastic museum!

This little museum will surprise and delight. It's more than it looks from the outside. Worth the trip. Informative, many artifacts and friendly staff. Worth the trip if you're in town or nearby. A hidden gem in Polk County. Plan to return soon. The research library is wonderful with a great knowledgeable staff. Not to mention the cost for entry is great, free.