ALL ABOARD!
Through this website of the Historical Society of
Avon Park, its Depot Museum and its railroad dining car, we
hope you get to know us: who we are, and more importantly,
what we do.
Our mission is to record and
display the history of Avon Park and the surrounding area
within the museum, once a railroad depot for the Seaboard
Airline Railroad.
We tell the stories of Avon Park in a
variety of ways. We boast a traditional museum rich in local
history. In addition, we host a variety of programs for the
community where our members share their memories of growing up
in Avon Park (for example, their school days, their World War
II days). We have a recently produced video that portrays the
first nine years of Avon Park (and how it almost came to a
sudden halt). We also hold an annual Pioneer Homecoming
Picnic, complete with the naming of the Pioneers of the Year.
And we also offer an annual banquet, featuring election of
board members.
We have a growing collection of
booklets that capture some of our history, including one on
growing up in the Crate Mill Quarters of Avon Park -- even one
containing the words and music of a song reflecting the
history of our community. Upcoming is a booklet on a once
local resident who was poet laureate of the U.S.; another, a
manuscript penned by the founder of Avon Park; and yet another
on the role that baseball has played in the history of the
community. These booklets and other items are on sale in our
museum gift shop.
Also underway is an
oral history project involving Black and White residents of
Avon Park. We are partnering with South Florida Community
College on this project.
We also provide a
unique dining experience in our railroad dining car. Groups
from 15 to 40 can arrange for lunch or
special
occasions. Call us for more details.
If you would like to
join us on any of these efforts, call
863-453-3525.
The Depot Museum is now on its
normal operating schedule: Open Wednesday, Thursday and
Friday,
10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We are also open the first Saturday of each month, selling
beverages, snacks and desserts.
Call 453-3525 or 385-8618 for more information.