March Happenings at the History Center
Bartow, Fla. (Feb. 28, 2017) – Journey into Polk history this month at the Polk County History Center. The following programs and events are open to the public and free of charge:
· March Is Women’s History Month
o During Women’s History month, enjoy Very Much a Lady, an exhibit that chronicles the evolution of women’s fashion during the time period 1900 – 1930. With numerous dresses and accessories on display, the exhibit explores the function and role of fashion as it related to the evolving role of women in society. Newly added interpretation of the exhibit provides information on the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in Polk County. From Lake Hamilton to Winter Haven, be captivated by the effort of our Women’s Clubs to promote health and education countywide.
· March’s Family Program, Curators of Curiosity – All Month – Polk Architecture
o Discover more about the homes and buildings that give Polk County’s historic districts its unique character. What types of architectural styles define certain periods of development in Polk? Take home a map to go on a driving tour of Polk’s unique architecture and complete a style worksheet to design your own historic home.
· March 4 – 5, Bloomin’ Arts Quilt Show at the History Center
o The History Center once again hosts the Bloomin’ Arts Quilt Show, featuring more than 50 quilts on display that represent all skill levels, including the History’s Center treasure, the Medallion Quilt. The quilt was a gift of the late Keightley Stringfellow with hand quilting completed by Melody Clyatt. The medallion rosette uses more than 10,800 squares to recreate the tile decoration in the rotunda of the old Polk County Courthouse. The quilts are on display from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 4 and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5.
· March 10, 2:30 p.m. – Citrus Label Tour Dedication – Florida Southern College
o Another stop on the Citrus Label Tour will be added when the Moccasin label is unveiled at The Sarah D. and L. Kirk McKay, Jr. Archives Center, located at the Florida Southern College campus in Lakeland. The citrus label dedication ceremony will occur at the conclusion of the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame luncheon. The Citrus Label Tour is a partnership between the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, Visit Central Florida and the Polk County History Center’s History and Heritage Trail.
· March 18, 11 a.m. – Architectural Tour
o Join us for a family-friendly architectural tour of the History Center and learn more about neoclassical architecture, the construction of the building and the stories behind the iconic Old Polk County Courthouse with special emphasis on architect E.C. Hosford and his legacy of work across the country. The architectural tour is at 11 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month.
· March 21, 12:15 to 1 p.m. – Lunch and Learn – Building Polk County: E.C. Hosford’s Lasting Impact
o Join the Polk County History Center as we welcome Emily Foster, senior planner and historic preservationist for the City of Lakeland, to discuss the works of E.C. Hosford in Lakeland, Bartow and Haines City. Edward Columbus Hosford, born 1883, was known for his works completed in Florida, Georgia and Texas. Designing the Historic Polk County Courthouse in 1908, Hosford would return to Polk County in the 1920s and design a commercial building in Lakeland, The Emory Bryant House on Lake Wire, The Oates Building and the old Lakeland High School.
§ Book Club recommended reading for the month of March is, “The World’s Columbian Exposition: The Chicago World’s Fair of 1893,” by Norman Bolotin and Christine Laing. A visual tour of the city scape designed for the World’s Fair in 1893, the architecture featured sets the stage for the City Beautiful Movement that is represented in much of Hosford’s work.
- The Polk County Historical Commission and Marker Committee will meet at the Polk History Center on:
o Thursday, March 2 at 9 a.m., for a specially called meeting to travel to the Loughman area to inspect the Citrus Center monument, and return to the History Center by noon.
o Thursday, March 23 at 2:30 p.m. for the regular meeting. All meetings are open to the public.
About the Polk County History Center: The Polk County History Center is located at 100 E. Main St. in Bartow and is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Visitwww.polkhistorycenter.org or call (863) 534-4386 for more information on exhibits and programming. All events and programming are free and open to the public.
