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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The family-friendly event features community market vendors, educational activities, a yard art sale, live music, food trucks and guided tours of historic homes \u2014 including the reopened Sulphur Springs exhibit. A portion of vendor proceeds benefits the Pinellas County Historical Society at Heritage Village.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n ‘Power of Place’ oral history initiative<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 neighborhoods, parks, beaches, schools, workplaces and faith communities.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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<\/a> or email Monica Drake mmdrake@pinellas.gov<\/a> with subject line Record My Story.<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n America 250 across the region<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n Upcoming Heritage Village events<\/p>\n Speaking of History lecture series \u2014 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:<\/p>\n \u2022 April 12: “Southern Blacks and the American Revolution,” Roger Smith<\/p>\n \u2022 Sept. 13: “Britain’s Loyal Colonies Lost \u2014 The American Revolution in Florida,” David Head<\/p>\n \u2022 Oct. 11: “William Bartram, a New Nation, and the Drifting State of Florida Literature,” Thomas Hallock<\/p>\n \u2022 Nov. 8: “St. Augustine’s Role in the War for Independence,” Trevor Bryant<\/p>\n