A glimpse into Lakeland’s new History & Culture Center
A glimpse into Lakeland’s new History & Culture Center
Step inside for the LHCC’s inaugural exhibit: “Ties That Bind.” | Photo by LALtoday
The Lakeland History & Culture Center (LHCC) opened yesterday at the Lakeland Public Library after receiving unanimous support and approvalin 2019.
The 1,400-sqft exhibit space aims to tell the Lakeland story by highlighting different groups that contributed to the city’s culture. Wondering what you can expect when you step inside? Come along for a glimpse at the space, our favorite exhibits, and more.
Use the interactive touchscreen to learn about Lakeland’s railroad history.
Photo by LALtoday
The center’s inaugural exhibit, “Ties That Bind: 1880-1925,” educates guests on the history of Lakeland’s railroad industry, incorporation, and key players(think: Pipkin, Drane, Rochelle, Munn, and more) through interactive touch screens, artifacts, narratives, and traditional displays.
We recommend taking a peek at the interactive touchscreens and artifacts at:
Pioneers and Places | Learn the history behind familiar names you see around town. City Editor Rilee enjoyed learning about the area of Christina, named for an early phosphate mining engineer’s daughter, Christina Memminger.
Crossing Ties | Read about Lakeland’s history of racial segregation and the events that led to a unified city, such as a visit from Booker T. Washington.
Business Directory |See photos + newspaper advertisements from Lakeland’s long-gone hotels, restaurants, shops,and more. City Editor Connor was surprised to learn how little a room at the Tremont House Hotel used to cost.
Step inside the Lakeland History Room to meet with expert historians.
Photo by LALtoday
For Lakelanders curious about their historic home, their family’s legacy within Swan City, or general Lakeland history, stop by the Lakeland History Room to meet with trained staff who can assist you in searching historical + genealogical documents like:
Yearbooks
Maps
Property plans
Photographs
Personal items, and more.
Also in the History Room is the new DIY Digitize Space, which allows residents to convert videotapes, cassette tapes, and photographs into a digital format.
Ready to stop by? The exhibit will be in place for anywhere from eight months to a year, depending on the direction taken by the center’s new committee.
Invite a friend to step into Lakeland's history (literally or figuratively) using an icon below.
14th Annual Honoring Heroes Dinner and Silent Auction | Fri., Sep. 9 | 6-9 p.m. | First Presbyterian Church, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Dr. | $20+ | Enjoy a delicious meal, meet the K9 team, and take part in a silent auction — proceeds benefit the LakelandPD K9 unit and LCPAAA Scholarship fund.
“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” | Fri., Sep. 9 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Lakeland Community Theatre, 121 S. Lake Ave. | $20+ | This witty musical revue tackles modern love in all its forms. 🎭
Charlie Redd Trio @ Lakeland Loft | Fri., Sep. 9 | 9 p.m.-12 a.m. | Lakeland Loft, 108 S. Tennessee Ave. | Free | Enjoy music from vocalist Charlie Redd, pianist Doug Andrews, and bassist Martin Rimoldi.
Saturday
The Joinery Dime | Sat., Sep. 10 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | The Joinery | Free | Shop goods from local makers, meet the felines of Botany Cats, and sip craft cocktails on The Joinery’s lawn. 🛍️
Summer Art Camp 2022 Exhibition Reception | Sat., Sep. 10 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m. | Polk Museum of Art | Free | View the work of the Summer Art Camp 2022 participants in this exhibition.
Southeastern University Football vs Florida Memorial University | Sat., Sep. 10 | 7-10 p.m. | Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd. | $5+ | Fire fans can watch Southeastern University’s Football team play Florida Memorial University in this evening game. 🏈
David Smith @ Brew Hub | Sat., Sep. 10 | 2-5 p.m. | Brew Hub, 3900 Frontage Rd. S. | Free | Listen to live music from David Smith while grabbing a bite from The Cultivated Pig food truck.
Sunday
Car & Truck Show | Sun., Sep. 11 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Duke’s Brewhouse | Free | Bring your car or truck to this judged car show for a chance to walk away with an award — registration for each car is $20. 🚙
Micah Madore & Kat Agner w/ One Stop Food Shop | Sun., Sep. 11 | 2-5 p.m. | Swan Brewing | Free | Try a bacon jam burger from One Stop Food Shop while duo Micah Madore and Kat Agner bring the tunes.
Second Sunday Artisan Market | Sun., Sept. 11 | 12-5 p.m. | Lakeside Village, 1479 Town Center Dr. | Free | Fall in love with Lakeland’s top artisan makers this season with festive home decor, fun for the whole family + more. 🍁*
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
reAlpha uses AI-driven technology to select + manage properties. | Photo provided by reAlpha
Short-term rental investments offer the best of both worlds: the stability of real estate + big returns from vacation rentals. The global short-term rental market is $1.2 trillion, after all. And thanks to reAlpha, it’s easier than ever to make that investment.
reAlpha is inviting Lakelanders to become shareholders in their entire short-term rental portfolio. Read: potentialprofit from short-term rental properties without the stress of managing, owning or maintaining. No changing the sheets or dealing with bookings? Sounds good.*
Phillip Walker is predicted to fill his own seat as interim city commissioner. Residents voted last year for the commission to fill vacancies sans election, so Phillip or one of eight applicants could be chosen. The commission is expected to select an interim commissioner on Mon., Sept. 19. (The Ledger)
Lakeland city commissioners unanimously approved a decrease to Lakeland Electric’s environmental charge during the Tues., Sept. 6 commission meeting. Effective October 2022, customers will see a decrease of roughly $0.47 on their monthly electric charge, which will go down from $2.88 to $2.41 per 1,000 kilowatt-hours. ⚡
Biz
Harry’s Seafood Bar & Grillehas temporarily closed following a grease fire. According to the Lakeland Fire Department, the grease fire spread from the kitchen into a ventilation shaft on Wed., Sept. 7 around 3 p.m. There were no reported injuries and a reopening date for the downtown staple is yet to be announced. (WFLA)
Plan Ahead
The Gulf Coast Safe Streets Summit is taking place on Thurs., Nov. 3 at the RP Funding Center. Residents will discuss possible improvements to roadway safety for drivers and pedestrians with regional leaders. Tickets start at $50 — Lakelanders needing financial assistance to attend can reach out to city officials. 🚶 (The Ledger)
Learn
Florida Southern College announced the 2022-2023 Florida Lecture Series lineup. Beginning with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Jack E. Davison Thurs., Sept. 15, the series educates the public on Florida life through the lenses of literature, history + more. All lectures take place in Branscomb Auditorium.
Guten morgen, Lakeland. If you’re ready to brush up on that high school German, do it the effective (and fun) way with Babbel. Its speech recognition technology will even help you nail your pronunciation + accent from the get-go.Bonus: Get 55% off your subscription — for a limited time only.*
Arts
Polk Museum of Art’s fall education classes are now accepting registrations. You can register online for courses on smartphone photography, Photoshop, monochromatic drawing, and more — registrations are dueby Sun., Sept. 18 for the six-week courses. 🎨
Scott Audette Underwater is unveiling a new spooky series: “A Siren’s Peril.” Head to ART/ifact Studios (820 N. Massachusetts Ave.) from Mon., Oct. 31-Thurs., Nov. 11 from 12-5 p.m. for the free portrait retrospective featuring zombie-like mermaid portraits. 🧜♀️
Edu
A-neigh-zing. Former US Marine Ken Allen instructed two-dozen Summerlin Academy students in the art of dressage —the oldest form of military horseback riding. Summerlin Academy students receive rigorous instruction in a military-based environment and have the option to take a four-year equestrian studies program at no additional cost. 🏇 (Fox 13 News)
Number
80,000. That’s how many drivers short the trucking industry was last year, according to The American Trucking Association. To address the shortage, Winter Haven-based Fleet Force Driving School is recruiting women to fill open driver positions — learn more about taking the wheel. 🚶 (Fox 13 News)
Travel
Heading to Orlando International Airport (MCO) later this month? Pro tip:Before you get there, take a peek at this detailed map of MCO’s newest terminal. Terminal C will open on Mon., Sept. 19.✈️ *
Drink
Start the day with a shot of wellness. Suja Organic Shots(read: a quick, functional shot to support immunity, energy, gut health + more) are two for $5 at Publix GreenWise Market through Wed., Sept. 14. Cheers.*
Development
Notice anything new lately? Our newsletter is currently “under construction” (you can read more on that here), so please bear with us as we fix some of these pesky formatting issues. If you see anything amiss over the next few weeks, please don’t be shy and pass it along.
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Legacy
Remembering Queen Elizabeth’s impact on Swan City 🦢
The 65th anniversary of Lake Morton’s royal swans
Swans + cygnets on Lake Morton circa 1970 | Photo courtesy of Special Collections at the Lakeland Public Library
Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died yesterday, Thurs., Sept. 8, at the age of 96 after 70 years of service. In case you weren’t aware, Queen Elizabeth can be thanked for the survival of one of Lakeland’s most iconic symbols: The swan.
Earlier this year, Lakeland’s swans celebrated their Sapphire Jubilee — marking 65 years since Queen Elizabeth sent her royal avians to Lakeland — on the same date of the Queen’s own Platinum Jubilee, honoring her 70th year on the throne. The Lake Morton festivities included a special cake and dedication from Mayor Bill Mutz.
In case you forgot, Lakeland’s native swan population had dwindled to extinction in 1953. When two native Lakelanders stationed in England heard the news and wrote to The Queen for help, she sent two birds to Lakeland. The pair arrived on Feb. 8, 1957, and we are all forever grateful.
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