Exhibits

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Temporary Exhibits

Throughout the year, the Polk County History Center hosts rotating exhibits and educational programs that feature a variety of subjects specific to Polk County. Temporary exhibits currently on display include:

Ed Fortner "Memories of Bone Valley" Exhibit

Ed Fortner's Memories of Bone Valley exhibit at the Polk History Center featuring an abstract painting of the Bone Valley phosphate mining region. The artwork depicts large mounds of earth, mining equipment, and three figures near a small boat, using expressive blue, gray, white, and orange brushstrokes to reflect Polk County's industrial landscape and history. Features 27 original works by James Edward Fortner (1910-1990), who was born and raised in the Polk County phosphate communities of Pierce and Brewster. Composed of striking forms and a style that evokes movement and intrigue, the works represent the day-to-day life of the men and families who grew up in Bone Valley and along the South Prong of the Alafia River.

Permanent Exhibits

Explore the stories, people and places that shaped Polk County through the Polk County History Center’s permanent exhibits and galleries. From Florida’s first inhabitants and pioneer life to local government, military history and the growth of Polk’s communities, each exhibit features artifacts, photographs, interactive displays and immersive environments that bring the county’s rich heritage to life.

From Criollo to Cracker: Florida Cow Culture, an American Story

From Criollo to Cracker: Florida Cow Culture, an American Story Exploring how Florida’s cattle industry helped shape the nation. From the earliest Spanish expeditions to present day, cattle ranching has remained a defining part of Polk County’s story. The exhibit traces the origins of Polk’s cattle industry and highlights its growing role in conservation efforts across the county. It features striking images by Carlton Ward Jr. and includes a focus on the Great Florida Cattle Drive, a living history experience that preserves and celebrates Florida’s long-standing cattle‑driving traditions.

Additional Galleries

Polk Proud
Organization of Polk County government, including education, law enforcement, fire rescue and medical services.

Weiss Gallery Welcome Center
History of Polk County’s Clerks of Court, restoration and architecture of the courthouse.

Polk County Crossroads
Collection of historical land and soil maps depicting the development of Polk’s transportation infrastructure and early settlement.

1926 Courtroom
This courtroom was part of the wings which were added to the building in 1926 to meet the needs of the growing community.

Arts and Culture Exhibit
Local artists from Polk, including theater, architecture, music, literature and visual arts.

Donations

The Polk County History Center collection strives to meet the Polk County Historical Museum’s mission to educate and inspire through the procurement, preservation and interpretation of historical objects and data, illustrative of, and relating to, Polk County. Our collection includes books, textiles, three-dimensional objects and other manner of artifact that helps provide insight to the history of the county. Many of these artifacts are on display in our dedicated exhibit galleries focused on such topics as tourism, government, fossils, industry and more. Per our collection policy, objects must be relevant to, and consistent with the History Center’s purposes and activities, chiefly research, preservation, exhibition, and/or preservation.

The Polk County History Center welcomes the opportunity to consider offers of collection donations. Interested parties should contact the museum at historycenter@polkfl.gov to schedule a meeting to discuss any potential donations. Please note the following before submitting an offer:

Due to the volume of offers we receive, and the time required to carefully review an object’s history, it may take several weeks for the History Center to carefully consider and reply to your offer.
The Polk County History Center generally does not consider unsolicited offers of temporary loans, nor can we promise to display loaned or donated items.
Any unsolicited objects received will be considered abandoned, and the Polk County History Center reserves the right to dispose of such property as it sees fit.
Due to limited space and the delicate status of some objects, not every artifact donated will be on display. Some exhibits have objects rotated in and out of collection storage depending on other factors.

The Polk County History Center always gives close consideration to offers of authentic objects, photographs, documents and works of art illustrating Polk County history and culture.