Heritage Village Museum and Park in Largo is throwing itself a double birthday party in 2026, marking 50 years as Pinellas County’s open-air history museum while joining the nationwide America 250 commemoration of the country’s founding.

The 21-acre living history museum at 11909 125th St., adjacent to the Florida Botanical Gardens, will anchor its yearlong celebration with “Preserved With Love,” a free 50th anniversary festival on Saturday, Feb. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The family-friendly event features community market vendors, educational activities, a yard art sale, live music, food trucks and guided tours of historic homes — including the reopened Sulphur Springs exhibit. A portion of vendor proceeds benefits the Pinellas County Historical Society at Heritage Village.

Visitors can also vote in the “Heart for Houses” contest, choosing a favorite historic home with a $1 donation. And to wrap up Valentine’s month, couples can renew their vows inside the museum’s preserved historic church for a $50 donation. Advance registration is required at https://forms.office.com/g/Es6aP3iSFt.

“This milestone marks 50 years since the 1976 Bicentennial movement that inspired the creation of historical organizations, preservation societies and open-air museums like Heritage Village across the nation,” said Monica Drake, historical museum operations manager. “Throughout this year, Heritage Village honors both anniversaries through a variety of special programs, exhibits and events that reflect this remarkable journey.”

Heritage Village, voted “Best Park in Pinellas County,” is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. It offers school tours, home-school programs, exhibits and events year-round, including a monthly “Pages in the Park” story walk and readings in its 1912 Harris Schoolhouse.

‘Power of Place’ oral history initiative

As part of the dual celebration, Heritage Village has launched “The Power of Place Oral History Initiative,” inviting Pinellas County residents and organizations to share stories about the places that matter to them — neighborhoods, parks, beaches, schools, workplaces and faith communities.

Several organizations have signed on, including Preserve The Burg, the Clearwater Historical Society, the Clearwater Colored Cemeteries Society Inc., the Palm Harbor Museum and the Indian Rocks Beach Museum.

In March, Heritage Village will train participants in oral history techniques and recording. Stories will be captured through a podcast studio, phone recordings and interviews, then uploaded to the TheirStory platform and preserved in the Heritage Village Archives.

When complete, these stories will be shared with the public through Heritage Village collections system and exhibits! If you or your organization would like to participate and share your stories, visit www.heritagevillagefl.org or email Monica Drake mmdrake@pinellas.gov with subject line Record My Story.

Heritage Village is also working with Eckerd College professors and students who have been collecting stories of parks and preserves to augment a “Many Voices, One Nation” exhibit opening this summer. Those interested in participating as a storyteller, interviewer or host site can visit www.heritagevillagefl.org.

America 250 across the region

The Heritage Village celebration is part of a broader wave of America 250 events across Florida and the nation. On July 8, communities across the United States will participate in a public reading of the Declaration of Independence.

Florida Humanities and the Smithsonian Institution are exploring the state’s food traditions through community exhibits in seven Florida counties: St. Lucie, Bay, Monroe, Citrus, Nassau, St. Johns and Flagler. The St. Petersburg Museum of History is showcasing exhibits including a tourism retrospective, “Meddling Women,” the city’s baseball history and civil rights leaders.

An ongoing exhibit at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History explores America 250 in depth. More information is available at https://america250.org/.

Upcoming Heritage Village events

Speaking of History lecture series — In recognition of Women’s History Month, the March 8 program at 2 p.m. presents “Forgotten Women Patriots,” developed by the Princess Hirrihigua Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The program honors the roles and sacrifices of women during the American Revolution through historical storytelling. Free admission. Upcoming lectures:

• April 12: “Southern Blacks and the American Revolution,” Roger Smith

• Sept. 13: “Britain’s Loyal Colonies Lost — The American Revolution in Florida,” David Head

• Oct. 11: “William Bartram, a New Nation, and the Drifting State of Florida Literature,” Thomas Hallock

• Nov. 8: “St. Augustine’s Role in the War for Independence,” Trevor Bryant

Heritage History: Lego Building Competition: Submissions close April 26. Local middle and high school students are invited to submit creations inspired by or depicting historic structures at Heritage Village. One winner from each category will be displayed in the Roy Helms exhibition for 2026. Submit photos at https://bit.ly/4bWgoNH.

House of Seven Gables Dedication: March 28, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. In 1976, as development threatened historic structures across Pinellas County, a partnership between the Pinellas County Historical Commission and the Junior League of Clearwater saved and relocated the House of Seven Gables and the Plant-Sumner House to Heritage Village. After five decades, both buildings now meet criteria for local historic landmark designation.

Car Show : April 4.

Civic Season Youth 250 Celebration — A Slice of History : June 27. A gathering for young adults featuring pizza, conversation and interactive displays at the newly reopened Roy Helms Gallery, exploring how everyday people have shaped Pinellas County’s civic story.

Declaration of Independence Reading: July 8 (time TBD) at the Heritage Village Bandstand. The event includes a keynote speaker, guided tours, live patriotic music, a children’s activity tent, a “Junior Preservationist” scavenger hunt and a “Power of Place” oral history recording station.

National Constitution Week — We the People of Pinellas: Sept. 19. A program exploring Pinellas County’s separation from Hillsborough County and its path to self-governance.

Upcoming exhibits:

• Feb. 28: “Sulphur Springs Depot — 100 Years of Transportation”

• June: “50 Years of Collecting, Preserving, and Sharing at Heritage Village”

• June 15: “The Citrus Wizard’s Journey — Lue Gim Gong and the Immigrant Spirit”

• July 11: “Many Voices, One Nation: Stories of Democracy in Our Parks”