Closed on the Monday when I was passing through Bartow but I got to at least enjoy the outside of this massive structure that used to be the Polk County Courthouse and is now the History Center. The new Justice Center towers above, across the street. There is a historical marker out front that provides some history. It reads, "Polk County was established February 8, 1861 formed from eastern Hillsborough County and western Brevard County and comprised one of two counties created after the state's secession from the union. Polk County was named after James Knox Polk the eleventh president of the United States. Polk served from 1845 to 1849, and was the first president to hold office after Florida achieved statehood. The turbulent 1860's saw Polk's seat of government changed several times. Located first at Mud Lake, the county seat soon moved to Jefferson, a surveyed town site within the present day limits of Bartow. Court and County records were maintained in the home of the county clerk the Reverend Jeremiah Hayman at Six Mile Creek. In 1867 cattleman Jacob Summerlin donated 120 acres of land at Bartow for a town site and seat of county government. Several courthouses have existed at this site, built in 1867, 1884 and 1909." It is marker number F-549 and was erected in 2005 by the Polk County Historical Commission and the Florida Department of State. The building was designed by Edward Columbus Hosford with contributions from Francis J. Kennard in a Classical Revival composition. The style is unmistakable: a symmetrical facade, strong classical massing, and a clock tower rising above the roofline. A series of earlier courthouses stood on this same ground, beginning with an 1867 structure, then an 1884 replacement, and finally the 1909 building that survives today. The facade's classical detailing, the clock tower, and the building's balanced proportions all reflect a period when counties across the South were asserting their permanence through monumental architecture. Inside, the building now houses the Polk County History Center, and the county offers regular architectural tours that highlight the structure's Neo‑Classical features and the stories behind its construction. Just not on Monday. [Review 1612 of 2025 - 2189 in Florida - 25160 overall] read more

See all

Well appointed and accredited museum. We spent over an hour watching the short videos and reading the information. Unfortunately, they are under renovation and some of the sections were closed off. That just means I need to go back when I visit next year. read more

For starters it is FREE to walk through the entire museum. Interesting historical data about a lot of locations in central Florida. Want to know how Davenport got started as a town? Dinosaur bones in central Florida? What effect did the railroad have on the area as it headed to Tampa? You also have plenty of areas where you can sit down to rest if the walking wears you down. Get ready to spend at least an hour or more to take in the exhibits. read more

The Polk County History Center is located in the historic 1908 Courthouse located on Main Street in Bartow. I love this trend of turning these historic courthouses into history museums when their cities outgrow the space. These old courthouses are designed in an elegant Neoclassical design. They also made courthouses into museums in Orlando and West Palm Beach. The 1908 courthouse in Bartow served as the Polk County Courthouse from 1908 until 1987. In 1988 the building was turned into the Polk County History Center and Genealogical Research Library. In 1989 the courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Admission to the museum is free and there is free street parking. You start your self guided tour with a video exhibition guide. The museum has 11 permanent and four temporary galleries over two floors.On the first floor is a gift shop and 7 galleries that cover history from the pioneers to the industrialists. Displays include what school was like at the turn of the century, early 1900's women's fashion, World Series championships, area landmarks, fishing, lost attractions, historic Dixie Hwy, Publix, Coke a Cola, trains, the citrus industry, cattle ranching, pioneers, and African-Americans in early Polk County. On the second floor there are two restored courtrooms, one from 1908 and one from 1926, the genealogical library, displays about Polk County's military history and the paleo Indians including, a dugout canoe from 400-570 AD, an arts and culture gallery, and displays about women's suffrage, In the temporary gallery they were having a quilt exhibit. I love that the courthouse is rumored to be haunted. A lady in white has been reported on the second and third floors and screams have been heard in the basement. Some guests have reported cold spots. As you walk around the galleries it is not too difficult to imagine that this building is haunted. I had a very nice time exploring the museums collection of fossils, clothing, military relics, and household items. The Polk County History Center is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. This is a really great museum with a wide range of items s that will appeal to everyone and it's free. Come out and learn about the history of Polk County and Florida's heritage. read more

See all

We went to this place a few days ago, it was interesting and educational.!! Would come back again

Great! It's a lovely and interesting older courthoise with rotunda, wood and tile features and terrific natural history, fossil, fashion, and Florida history exhibits. Worth paying for but it's free. Really enjoyable. Well done exhibits. Fun. Kids play area was cool too with stuffed animals and cabins and interactive displays. read more

See all

This place is a hidden treasure. When you plan to go, be advised that there is no charge to tour the museum, but donations are accepted. (and worth a good donation!) I was pleasantly surprised at the amount & diversity of the exhibits. The items displayed range from area wildlife, colonization, indigenous history, pioneer life, the Civil war, industry and central Florida history up to the present day. The information was complete and well presented. Some of the items displayed are priceless, like the handwritten letters from the Civil War. We spent almost two hours exploring the various rooms and checking out the upstairs Courts. The Courthouse is beautiful and a piece of history itself. I love that the marble steps leading to the second floor were worn...you could imagine the thousands of people needed to traverse those steps to wear hollows into the stone! This is definitely something the whole family will enjoy. read more

See all

Good location for Florida history & interesting artifacts. The rotation of exhibits is rather good, also. It's nice to stop in & see a fresh exhibit w/ new information. Small gift shop, nothing fancy. Great research library on the second floor. read more

Polk County is fortunate to have such a wonderful and growing History Center, located in the old Bartow Courthouse, constructed 100 years ago and a historical landmark. Within the History Center are the Historical Museum and the Genealogical Library. There are many rooms filled with the stories of Polk roots.....a kids' "touch" room, photo galleries, a Civil War room, an industries room, etc. There are fossils, bones, murals, paintings and lots of learning to be had. The library gives free access to the ancestry.com site and has many other files and collections for searching your roots or your historical building. They provide many free opportunities--like book talks, lunch & learn programs and workshops. Great for school groups, too! Open Tuesday through Saturday. A great architectural piece as well. Surrounded by good eats when you finish your tour! read more

The Polk County History Center turned out to be an outstanding road trip. Easy parking, easy access, handicap access with elevator to second floor. Very nice and knowledgeable staff! The displays were many, well kept, and revolving . Excellent lighting and sound for the displays. An abundance of handouts available. I enjoyed the WWI and WWII displays . I enjoyed the variety of topics on display that represented Polk County. You can take your time, no one rushes you! When done, many places on the street to browse and eat !! read more