The Polk County Historical Association is an active supporter of the Polk County History Center located in the Old Polk County Courthouse, 100 East Main Street in Bartow, Florida. The History Center houses the Historical Museum and the Polk County Historical and Genealogical Library. Historical Museum Since the Museum opened its doors on September 19, 1998, it has served Polk County through special events and educational programs. Its collection includes natural and cultural objects related to Polk and the […]
Publications available for purchase include: Ray Albritton, Recollections of Days Gone By (1997) $20.00 Illustrated by Marty Zimmerman and compiled and edited by Freddie & Hugh Wright. “Prepare yourself for a treat. You’ll find a wealth of good reading in Ray Albritton’s recollection of hard-scrabble times. All of his accounts are included in this collection, along with previously unpublished articles and a set of articles about his adventures in World War II.” Canter Brown, Jr. In the Midst of All […]
By about 12,000 years ago Paleoindians following big game such as the Mammoth and Mastodon reached the Florida peninsula. As glaciers melted and sea levels began to raise these hunters and gathers created more permanent homes in Florida. Their populations reached an estimated 250,000 by the time the first European explorers landed on our coastlines. The first historic descriptions of our earliest residents called their tribes the Tocobago, Timucua, and Caloosa. As early as 1527 a Spanish map depicted the […]
Historic Photographs The Photographic Archive of the Polk County Historical Association was initiated by former board member Louise Frisbie. Members of the Association contributed photographs from their personal collections, and many of these are part of the Florida State Archives. Florida State Archives link. Polk County Historical Quarterly Our online digital archive contains searchable PDF files of issues between June 1974 and 2020. Click this link to begin your search: http://cdm17277.contentdm.oclc.org Polk County History Center Collections The Polk County History Center’s collection is […]
As a member of PCHA, your annual membership contribution will help fund historical research, educational programs and publications. As a benefit of membership, you’ll receive an invitation to all Association events. You’ll also be among the first to receive a copy of the quarterly Polk Proud History, one of the state’s best local historical quarterlies. The membership year runs from June 1 through May 31. Choose from these membership levels: Benefactor – $500 or more Pioneer Level – $100 or more Family […]
Our Mission The Polk County Historical Association was founded in 1974 as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 member-supported organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Polk County history. Through a broad range of activities in collaboration with the Polk County History Center, the Polk County Historical Association promotes the awareness of and interest in Polk County history. Polk County Historical Association Board of Directors 2022 – 2023 William Lloyd Harris, President Jennifer Bush, Vice President & Heritage Partner Committee Co-Chair Roderick D. Hudnell, Treasurer […]
Our Mission The Polk County Historical Association was founded in 1974 as a not-for-profit 501(c)3 member-supported organization dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of Polk County history. Through a broad range of activities in collaboration with the Polk County History Center, the Polk County Historical Association promotes the awareness of and interest in Polk County history. Polk County Historical Association Board of Directors 2020-2021 David Brewer, President Richard A. Fifer, Vice President Roderick D. Hudnell, Treasurer Lois Sherrouse-Murphy, Secretary Mel Sellers, Past […]