Dunedin History Museum facts for kids
The Dunedin History Museum is a fun place to learn about the past of Dunedin, a town in Florida. It opened in 1970 and is located in an old train station building. This building was built way back in 1924 for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. The old train tracks that used to lead to the station are now part of the Pinellas Trail, a popular path for walking and biking!
The museum has over 2,000 old items, 2,500 photos, and a library full of books. All these things help tell the amazing story of Dunedin's history. The museum also offers special programs for schools and summer camps. Plus, they always have new and exciting exhibits to explore!
The Dunedin History Museum is also home to the Dunedin Times Historical Archive. This means they have a full collection of the local newspaper, the Dunedin Times, from 1924 to 1966.
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What's New at the Museum?
The museum has been updated several times to make it even better for visitors!
Cool New Exhibits and Updates
From 2017 to 2018, the museum got a big makeover. It now has brand new exhibits and a new entrance. The museum team worked hard to create a modern and interactive experience. This means you can explore Dunedin's history using different types of media, like videos and touchscreens.
Past Special Exhibits to Explore
The museum often features special exhibits that stay for a limited time. Here are some interesting ones they've had:
- In June 2019, they opened Jagged Lines: America's Tattoo Tradition. This exhibit explored the history of tattooing in North America.
- In 2020, they had a pirate exhibit called A Short Life and a Merry One. It looked at real pirate history and also talked about pirate myths you might see in movies and books.
- In 2021, to mark 100 years since a big hurricane hit Tampa Bay, the museum opened A Century of Storms. This exhibit showed the history of hurricanes in Florida over the last hundred years.
- In February 2022, the museum opened Florida Floodways. This exhibit explored Florida's food history and how it connects to culture, money, and past events.
What Can You See Permanently?
The museum has many items that are always on display. These items help tell the story of Dunedin's local history.
Dunedin's Early Days
You can see old clothes, tools, and kitchen items that were used by the first families who lived in Dunedin in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The museum also has original items from the first Dunedin Post Office, the first Dunedin band, and other important companies from the area.
All About Trains!
Since the museum is in an old train station, it has a special collection about railroads. You can see pictures and information about Florida's railroads, old train equipment, and even telegraph materials. There are also original items from the Dunedin Railroad station. This collection shows how train companies grew and changed in Dunedin and across Florida.
More Local Stories
Other parts of the museum's permanent collection focus on different topics about Dunedin. These include:
- How different cultures came together in Dunedin.
- Stories of the pioneering families.
- The history of Meade Hospital.
- Dunedin's sports history.
- Local industries.
- The natural places and animals around Dunedin.
Museum Partnerships
The Dunedin History Museum works closely with the community. They have a strong connection with the Dunedin Public Library, which is just a mile away. The library even has a special area for two exhibits: one for the Dunedin History Museum and one for the Armed Forces History Museum.
The museum also partners with the San Jose Catholic Church and local schools from kindergarten to 12th grade.
Learning at the Museum
The Dunedin Museum offers "History Kits" from past exhibits that schools can borrow. These kits include photos, old items, and learning materials. The museum also offers outreach programs with talks and "living history" events that can come to your classroom if a teacher asks. There's even a special Teachers Guidebook about Dunedin History for elementary schools.
Museum Library
The museum has a library located on its second floor. This library has over 200 books and other materials. They are all about the culture and history of Dunedin, Pinellas County, and Florida. It's a great resource for anyone wanting to learn more!
Accessibility for Everyone
The City of Dunedin has made sure the museum meets all accessibility requirements. This means the museum works to make sure everyone, including people with special needs, can visit and learn about Dunedin and Florida history.
See also
- St. Petersburg station (Amtrak)
- Tarpon Springs Depot
