Since 1975, the PCHA has supported the collection of oral histories of Polk County residents. Member organizations of the PCHA Heritage Partner Committee seek potential candidates who are 75 years or older and have lived in Polk County for 50 years or more. These Polk Pioneers participate in an interview to document their lives and contributions to our rich history. Congratulations to our Polk Pioneers for 2025. View their interviews here.
Pictured left to right: Louis Warren McKnight Jr., nominated by the Davenport Historical Society; Ernestine Mason Davis, nominated by the Luster African American Heritage Museum; Bobby L. Moore, nominated by the Polk County Historical Association; Florence McNeer Hamilton, nominated by the Lake Alfred Historical Society; Alice Lorraine Peaslee, nominated by the Historic Lakeland Inc.; Virginia McKnight Glass, nominated by the Davenport Historical Society; Edwin Friedlander, nominated by the Polk County History Center (pictured is Kathryn Friedlander, wife of the late Edwin Friedlander); Richard D. Howell, nominated by the Lake Wales History Museum; and Thomas Robert Cooney, nominated by the Museum of Winter Haven History.