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Lakeland History & Culture Center

at the Lakeland Public Library


View into Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit with "Ties that Bind" information panel in foreground and "History Room" door in background

View within the Lakeland History and Culture Center of two information panels, on left "Share Your Story" and on right, "The Newspaper"

Lakeland History and Culture Center information panel "Building and Expanding the Railroad" with railroad workers

CURRENT EXHIBIT: 
TIES THAT BIND: 1880-1925


  • Charter Member Donor Reception, October 27, 2022

    Click on the images below to scroll through the gallery

    • Group of people posing with pillar against dark tile wall outside entrance to Lakeland History & Culture Center exhibit room
    • Woman writing on post-it note to add to wall covered in post-it notes and text "Share Your Story. When Did Your Family Arrive in Lakeland?" in Lakeland History & Culture Center exhibit space
    • Man pointing to map mounted on wall in the Lakeland History & Culture Center exhibit room.
    • Man looking at photographs in binder on tall table in the Lakeland History Room
    • Group of three women examining phone inside Lakeland History & Culture Center exhibit room with entrance doors in background
    • Group of people standing together and talking in Lakeland History & Culture Center exhibit room with History Room sign in the background
    • Three women posing outside glass door entrance to Lakeland History & Culture Center exhibit room
    • Three-tired white cake with yellow icing scallop decorations, candles on top, and text Publix
    • Man in dark suit speaking into a microphone at a podium with poster of Lakeland History & Culture Center swan logo and large map mural in background. Large green plant located to the left of the podium
    • Man in black suit speaking into a microphone at a podium with poster of Lakeland History & Culture Center swan logo and large map mural in background. Large green plant located to the left of the podium
    • Woman speaking into a microphone at a podium with poster of Lakeland History & Culture Center swan logo and large map mural in background. Large green plant located to the left of the podium
    • Man in light suit speaking into a microphone at a podium with poster of Lakeland History & Culture Center swan logo and large map mural in background. Large green plant located to the left of the podium
    • Man in dark suit speaking into a microphone at a podium with poster of Lakeland History & Culture Center swan logo and large map mural in background. Large green plant located to the left of the podium
    • Three people conversing at Service desk with library computers in the background at the Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • Group of people conversing inside the Lakeland History & Culture Center exhibit room in middle of the room with entrance in background
    • Woman looking at framed photos hung on display in the Lakeland History Room
    • Man wearing white gloves examining large old map book with orange shelving in background
    • Two women, one standing, one seated, examining photo albums in the Lakeland History Room
    • Man playing guitar seated against a wall with computer desks in background
    • Three people posing outside entrance to the Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room at reception
    • Two people behind welcome table giving directions to reception attendees with library bookshelves in background
    • Group of three people posing in front of large map mural with text Many Stories One Community
    • Two people conversing around tall table with library bookshelves in background at Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • Two people posing with library shelves in background during Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • Two people posing in front of the railroad exhibit inside the Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room
    • Group of people conversing in front of the glass doors entrance to the Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room
    • Groups of people seated at tabled with food and drinks during the Lakeland History and Culture Center reception with bookshelves in the background
    • Three people conversing together near seating during the Lakeland History and Culture Center reception with library bookshelves in the background
    • Two people posing by the Service Desk at the Lakeland Public Library during the Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • Three people standing around tall table with food at Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • People standing by Service Desk at Lakeland Public Library during Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • Group of four people, one seated, posing outside of entrance to Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room
    • Three people posing at Lakeland History and Culture Center reception outside of exhibit room
    • Group of four people seated at Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • Two people conversing at the Lakeland History and Culture Center opening reception, standing in front of library shelving for DVDs
    • Three people conversing inside the Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room near the entrance doors and charter members 2022 sign
    • Two people conversing at Lakeland History and Culture Center reception
    • Two people posing in front of entrance to Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room by large map wall mural with text "Many Stories One Community"
    • Man and woman looking at saddle on display in Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit in front of poster with text "Spanish American War McClellan Saddle"
    • Group of three people gathered around small table conversing outside Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room
    • Man and woman posing in front of Charter Members 2022 sign in Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room
    • Two people posing in front of Charter Members 2022 sign in Lakeland History and Culture Center exhibit room
    • Library staff seated at table in front of book shelves with bookmarks and welcome sign on the table.
    • Tassled bookmarks with Lakeland History & Culture Center swan logo displayed individually on black tabletop
    • Poster with logos of sponsors for the Lakeland History and Culture Center, including Lakeland Electric, Publix, and Swan Brewing. Text of poster reads: Many Stories Connecting One Community. Join us in thanking tonight's sponsors.
  • Many Stories Connecting One Community: Origins of LHCC

    Lakeland History and Culture Center brochure with text "Many Stories Connecting One Community.  Lakeland History & Culture Center at the Lakeland Public Library"

    Many stories connecting one community.

    The vision for this project emerged over three years ago with discussions about acquiring one location to capture and share Lakeland’s unique history.

    Led by City Commissioner Phillip Walker and supported by community leaders, the idea was presented to the City Commission in 2019. The initiative received unanimous support from the commission to build an exhibit center at the city’s Main Library. An advisory committee was chartered, led by former Mayor Gow Fields, to determine what was required to make the Lakeland History and Culture Center a reality.

    The Lakeland History and Culture Center is a dedicated exhibit and research space that shares inclusive stories of Lakeland in harmony with all those who have contributed, and continue to contribute, to its culturally diverse history.

  • Lakeland History & Culture Center Features

    Opened on September 8, 2022, the Lakeland History and Culture Center features a 1,400 square foot exhibit gallery and adjoining history and research room. 

    Many Stories Connecting One Community card

    Old map of Lakeland with text "Many Stories One Community"

    Lakeland History Room looking through glass window wall at tables and chairs

    The Lakeland History Room includes research space, guided access to City archives, a DIY digitize lab to convert analog formats, and programs by knowledgeable library staff.

  • Lakeland History & Culture Center Committee

    LUANN MIMS 
    Lakeland History Room Librarian Supervisor, City of Lakeland

    LISA LILYQUIST 
    City Librarian, City of Lakeland

    EMILY FOSTER
    Senior Planner, Historic Preservation
    City of Lakeland Community & Economic Development

    CATHERINE R. ESKIN 
    Associate Professor of English, Florida Southern College
    Head Archivist, Temple Emanuel Archive

    YVONNE MCSHAY
    Professor Emeritus, Polk State College

    DELL QUARY
    Polk County Public Schools

    RUSTIN LLOYD
    Associate Professor
    Southeastern University

    KELLY FISHER
    Business Owner

    LYNNE SIMPKINS
    President, Education and Enlightenment Group, Inc.
    Retired Senior Planner

  • Donate

    You can donate by check or donate online / via the form below. Checks should be addressed to:

    Givewell Community Foundation
    Memo: City of Lakeland Parks & Recreation/LHCC Fund
    1501 S. Florida Avenue
    Lakeland, FL 33803

     Learn more about resources and services of the Lakeland History Room