Polk County

Q: Is there an admission fee to visit the museum?

A: Admission to the Polk County Historical Museum is Free!

Q: What are your days and hours of operation?

A: The museum is open:

• Tuesday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm
• Saturday 9:00am – 3:00pm
• Closed Sundays, Mondays and all major holidays. 

In 2009 the museum will also be CLOSED on the additional days listed below:

• Thursday, January 1 - New Years Day Observance
• Tuesday, January 20 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance
• Tuesday, May 26 - Memorial Day Observance
• Friday, July 3 - Independence Day
• Tuesday, September 8 - Labor Day Observance
• Wednesday, November 11 - Veteran's Day Observance
• Thursday & Friday, November 26 & 27 - Thanksgiving
• Thursday & Friday, December 24 & 25 - Christmas Holidays

In 2010 the museum will also be CLOSED on the additional days listed below:

• Friday, January 1 - New Years Day Observance
• Tuesday, January 19 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Observance
• Tuesday, June 1 - Memorial Day Observance
• Tuesday, July 6 - Independence Day
• Tuesday, September 7 - Labor Day Observance
• Thursday, November 11 - Veteran's Day Observance
• Thursday & Friday, November 25 & 26 - Thanksgiving
• Friday & Saturday, December 24 & 25 - Christmas Holidays

Q: How can I contact the museum?

A: You can contact the museum by mail, phone or e-mail.

Mail:

• 100 East Main Street
  Bartow, Florida 33830

Phone:

• Telephone: 863-534-4386
• Fax: 863-534-4387
• Toll Free: 1-800-780-5346 Ext. 4386

E-Mail:

• Tom Muir, Museum Curator
• Maria Trippe, Museum Assistant
• General Inquiries

Q: How do I donate historical objects to the museum?

A: Authority to accept objects from the public for museum use is assigned to the Curator. After receiving and documenting temporary custody, objects are accepted on behalf of the museum after completion of a Deed of Gift form. Call the museum Curator at 863-534-4386 for more information about making a donation. See the About Us section for a description of the museum’s scope of collections.

Q: How do I reserve the museum for a meeting or special event?

A: The museum has rooms available for meetings, weddings, receptions & banquets. Rooms are reserved by completing a Facilities Use Agreement and providing a $200.00 deposit. Your deposit will be refunded after your event if there are no damages and if no additional time is used. A sample Agreement is available on our website. An original Agreement form must be submitted for approval. A Facility Use Agreement may be picked up at the museum office or we can mail one to you. For more rental information download the  Museum Rental Brochure (PDF).

Q: Are the items in your gift shop available for purchase online?

A: Many of our books and souvenirs are available by mail.  Our store and ordering information is available by going to the museum's web page. Polk County Historical Museum 

For more information about the Polk County Historical Museum please contact us by email, phone (863) 534-4386 or toll free 1-800-780-5346 ext.4386; or fax (863) 534-4387. The Museum hours are Tuesday-Friday between 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M; or Saturday 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. (excluding holidays).