Charlotte County Historical Center
22959 Bayshore Road, Charlotte Harbor, FL 33980
941.629.7278
Upcoming Programs & Events
Meet the Co-Author of the book
Just Above the Water: Florida Folk Art,
Dr. Tina Bucuvalas
on Saturday, September 12, 2009 - 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
10th Annual Authentic Maine Lobster Bake
Saturday, September 19, 2009 at the Port Charlotte Beach Complex
Fourth Friday Speaker Series
At the Charlotte County Historical Center
4th Friday of the month, 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Admission: $2 adult; $1 child under 12 – Pre-registration is required.
This monthly program features guest speakers or hands-on workshops for adults and families related to a variety of topics:
- August 28, 2009 The Mean Season of 2004: Memories of Charley
Director of Emergency Management, Wayne Sallade, discusses the 2004 Category 4 hurricane that decimated parts of Charlotte County and the changes it created for area residents. - September 25, 2009 Haunted Florida: the Southwest Florida Paranormal Investigators
The SWFPI speaks to visitors about investigating the paranormal and links to historic sites. - October 30, 2009 Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Join the Charlotte County Historical Center in the telling of ‘spook-tacular’ tales designed to put everyone in the Halloween spirit. - January 22, 2010 Heads, Hands, Heart, Health: History of the 4-H in Florida
Pamela Phillippe of the Charlotte County Extension Services discusses the importance of the 4-H program to Florida as the Charlotte County Historical Center helps the organization celebrate 100 years of community service.
Special Saturday Speakers Series
At the Charlotte County Historical Center
Admission: $2 adult; $1 child under 12 – Pre-registration is required.
- Just Above the Water with Tina Bucuvalas
September 12, 2009, 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Author Dr. Tina Bucuvalas, former Florida State Folklorist, talks about her work, Just Above the Water: Florida Folk Art and the significant impact folk art plays on the cultural history of Florida. Dr. Bucuvalas’ work is the basis for the latest Historical Center exhibit of the same name. - We March Shoulder to Shoulder: Women of the U.S. Military
November 14, 2009, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
The Charlotte County Historical Center honors women of the United States military and their contributions to the citizens of the United States at this round table discussion.
Changing Exhibits
Changing Exhibits focus on particular people, places, events and fascinating subjects
Admission: $2 adult; $1child under 12; includes all current changing & permanent exhibits
Just Above the Water: Florida Folk Art
June 30, 2009 – September 26, 2009
In collaboration with the Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County. Developed by the Museum of Florida History, the exhibit features the work of 35 Florida Folk artists as well as pieces produced by local artistsans.
A Pledge of Honor:
Five Branches of the U. S. Military
October 6 – November 14, 2009
The Charlotte County Historical Center salutes the men & women of the five branches of the U.S. Military with a special exhibit.
Symphony of Trees
November 20 – December 5, 2009
19th annual holiday show & auction
Florida Girls, Boys & Their Toys
December 15, 2009 – May 15, 2010
Journey back in time as the Charlotte County Historical Center captures the magical moments experienced by Florida girls & boys as they played with their toys.
Charlotte County: Telling Our Story
is the permanent exhibit which explores the full spectrum of Charlotte County and Florida history in several galleries, telling the rich stories of people living here from ancient times through the post-WWII development boom. Explore our natural history, our early inhabitants, fishing and boating, early explorers, pioneers and settlers, and more. After the hurricanes of 2004, we remodeled these galleries, and we continue to refresh the exhibit with additional historical artifacts every year.
Heritage Oil Paintings by Betty Reese
Fascinating oil paintings of historical buildings county-wide are now a part of our permanent exhibit at the Charlotte County Historical Center. Some of the structures depicted still exist, and others are gone forever. Port Charlotte artist Betty Reese researches each one, then makes it come alive again. She has generously donated all of these original paintings to the County collections.
Bicentennial Time Capsule
During the nation’s bicentennial in 1976, a time capsule was set in place at the old Memorial Auditorium in Punta Gorda, to be re-opened after 100 years. The Auditorium building was damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Charley, but before it was demolished in 2005 we removed the capsule’s two large cylinders from their sand-filled vault for safe keeping. The Bicentennial Time Capsule is on exhibit at the Charlotte County Historical Center, and a special place will be provided for it in the new exhibit being planned for the old Charlotte County Courthouse.
Shopping in Charlotte County
From trading posts and peddlers, to neighborhood general stores and 20th century shopping plazas, local retail business has changed greatly over the years. Alongside the Historical Center’s Live Oak Emporium (museum gift shop) is the Shopping in Charlotte County permanent exhibit, with dozens of artifacts on display from the County historical collections. Did you live here when ladies had to travel all the way to Fort Myers to buy a fancy dress? Historical photographs from the late U. S. Cleveland and the former Charlotte Harbor Area Historical Society complete the picture.
