MEMBER MICRONEWS

POLK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER
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:

July’s Family Program – Curators of Curiosity - All Month - The Right to Vote
- To complement this month’s Lunch and Learn lecture, featuring Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards, stop in to the children’s discovery room and explore the history of voting in the United States. Discover which amendments to the U.S. Constitution address voting, imagine what voting will be like 20 years from now and cast your vote in our mock election.

July 11, noon – Citrus Label Tour Dedication – Davenport
- Join the Davenport Historical Society and co-sponsor Wayne T. Fellows Trucking, Inc. for the dedication of the Matador citrus crate label outdoor exhibit at Merchants Square, 124 West Bay St. in Davenport. The Matador label is Davenport’s second label and is the fifth label to be dedicated.

The Citrus Label Tour, a partnership between the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, Visit Central Florida and the Polk County History Center, was launched on March 11 with the dedication and display of the Polk-O-Dot citrus crate label on the lawn at the Polk County History Center. As more citrus crate labels are selected and placed on display, a map will be created to facilitate a citrus heritage driving experience of discovery along the Citrus Label Tour. For more information or an application to participate, contact the Polk County History Center at (863) 534-4386.

July 16 , 11 a.m. - Architectural Tour
- 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. This month’s featured architectural elements are the courthouse columns. The architectural tour is on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m.

July 19, 12:15 to 1 p.m. - Lunch and Learn – Polk County Voting Trends
- Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards will help get attendees in the mood for the upcoming election season. With a focus on Polk County, the lecture will explore not only voting trends, but also several pivotal elections, including those of Polk natives Spessard L. Holland and Lawton M. Chiles. Young learners are encouraged to attend and will be able to participate in a mock election using a voting machine similar to those found across the county on Election Day. Election workers will also be available to assist those wishing to register to vote or update their voter registration.

Recommended Book Club Reading: “Almost President: The Men Who Lost The Race But Changed The Nation,” by Scott Farris. As the presidential campaign escalates, “Almost President” profiles a dozen men who have run for the American presidency and lost—but who, even in defeat, have had a greater impact on American history than many of those who have served as president.

Farris explains how Barry Goldwater achieved the party realignment that had eluded FDR, how George McGovern paved the way for Barack Obama, and how Ross Perot changed the way all presidential candidates campaign. There is Al Smith, the first Catholic nominee for president; and Adlai Stevenson, the candidate of the “eggheads” who remains the beau ideal of a liberal statesman. The mini profiles also include evocative portraits of such men as John C. Fremont, the first Republican Party presidential candidate; and General Winfield Scott, whose loss helped guarantee the Union victory in the Civil War.

July 8, 10:30 a.m. – Historical Marker Committee Meeting
- The Historical Marker Committee of the Polk County Historical Commission will meet at the Polk County History Center to review and approve a historical marker application.

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. Visit www.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.


MEMBER MICRONEWS POLK COUNTY HISTORY CENTER 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: July’s Family Program – Curators of Curiosity - All Month - The Right to Vote To complement this month’s Lunch and Learn lecture, featuring Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards, stop in to the children’s discovery room and explore the history of voting in the United States. Discover which amendments to the U.S. Constitution address voting, imagine what voting will be like 20 years from now and cast your vote in our mock election. July 11, noon – Citrus Label Tour Dedication – Davenport Join the Davenport Historical Society and co-sponsor Wayne T. Fellows Trucking, Inc. for the dedication of the Matador citrus crate label outdoor exhibit at Merchants Square, 124 West Bay St. in Davenport. The Matador label is Davenport’s second label and is the fifth label to be dedicated. The Citrus Label Tour, a partnership between the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, Visit Central Florida and the Polk County History Center, was launched on March 11 with the dedication and display of the Polk-O-Dot citrus crate label on the lawn at the Polk County History Center. As more citrus crate labels are selected and placed on display, a map will be created to facilitate a citrus heritage driving experience of discovery along the Citrus Label Tour. For more information or an application to participate, contact the Polk County History Center at (863) 534-4386. July 16 , 11 a.m. - Architectural Tour 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. This month’s featured architectural elements are the courthouse columns. The architectural tour is on the third Saturday of each month at 11 a.m. July 19, 12:15 to 1 p.m. - Lunch and Learn – Polk County Voting Trends Polk County Supervisor of Elections Lori Edwards will help get attendees in the mood for the upcoming election season. With a focus on Polk County, the lecture will explore not only voting trends, but also several pivotal elections, including those of Polk natives Spessard L. Holland and Lawton M. Chiles. Young learners are encouraged to attend and will be able to participate in a mock election using a voting machine similar to those found across the county on Election Day. Election workers will also be available to assist those wishing to register to vote or update their voter registration. Recommended Book Club Reading: “Almost President: The Men Who Lost The Race But Changed The Nation,” by Scott Farris. As the presidential campaign escalates, “Almost President” profiles a dozen men who have run for the American presidency and lost—but who, even in defeat, have had a greater impact on American history than many of those who have served as president. Farris explains how Barry Goldwater achieved the party realignment that had eluded FDR, how George McGovern paved the way for Barack Obama, and how Ross Perot changed the way all presidential candidates campaign. There is Al Smith, the first Catholic nominee for president; and Adlai Stevenson, the candidate of the “eggheads” who remains the beau ideal of a liberal statesman. The mini profiles also include evocative portraits of such men as John C. Fremont, the first Republican Party presidential candidate; and General Winfield Scott, whose loss helped guarantee the Union victory in the Civil War. July 8, 10:30 a.m. – Historical Marker Committee Meeting The Historical Marker Committee of the Polk County Historical Commission will meet at the Polk County History Center to review and approve a historical marker application. 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. Visit www.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.
Newsletter1 - July 12, 2016