Six Highlands County Museums to Celebrate International Museum Day
SEBRING, Fla. (May 3, 2023) – Visit Sebring is pleased to announce that six local museums will participate in this year’s International Museum Day (IMD) with special docent-led tours, receptions, presentations, art exhibits, raffles, free admission, and extended hours scheduled to occur on or around May 18.
The purpose of IMD is to raise awareness that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples. Today, more than 37,000 museums in 158 countries participated with special events and activities.
This year’s IMD theme is Museums, Sustainability and Well-Being. Museums are key contributors to the well-being and to the sustainable development of our communities. As trusted institutions and important threads in our shared social fabric, they are uniquely placed to create a cascading effect to foster positive change. There are many ways in which museums can contribute to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals: from supporting climate action and fostering inclusivity, to tackling social isolation and improving mental health.
Children’s Museum of the Highlands will celebrate IMD with two special offerings on May 18. First, don’t miss Third Thursday from 4pm-7pm for FREE entry for open play! This event will celebrate all our differences that make each of us uniquely special! The Museum hosts families with sensory sensitivities, disabilities, and special needs along with their therapists to provide a safe play space for all. All are welcome to come and play! FREE entry from 4pm-7pm.
Also on May 18, families with toddlers are invited to our Tot Time Playtime program at 10:30 am. Mention its International Museum Day for free entry to attend our Tot Time program and open museum play for the day. Tot Time Playtime program runs for 30-45 minutes in a group setting where the toddlers and parents do a creative activity together. Families are welcomed to stay and play in the museum afterwards.
Address: 219 N. Ridgewood Drive, Sebring Phone: (863) 451-5385
Website: https://www.childrensmuseumhighlands.com
Admission: Free if you mention International Museum Day
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum Curator David Schmidt Smith will present a program, ‘Florida’s Fabulous WPA Murals’ on May 20 at 6:30pm in the CCC Museum. Florida has an extensive collection of murals that were created for post offices constructed in the 1930s and early 1940s and other public buildings. Schmidt, who is a Roosevelt scholar, has conducted research on the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Project Administration (WPA), two of the most successful programs initiated by Franklin Roosevelt to counter unemployment during the Depression. Highlands Hammock is listed on the National Register of Historic Places because of the many New Deal Era structures in the park.
Address: 5931 Hammock Rd, Sebring, FL 33872 Phone: (863) 386-6094
Website: https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Highlands-Hammock
Admission: Free for anyone attending this program on May 20; let the guard gate know.
Lake Placid Historical Society Depot Museum
The museum will celebrate IMD with a special Open House from 4-6 pm. The museum is home to a Highwaymen Art Exhibit and local artifact. features, Lake Placid storytelling, local authors, live entertainment and refreshments.
Address: 12 Park Avenue, Lake Placid, FL 33852 Phone: (863) 465-1775
Website: www.LakePlacidHistoricalSociety.org
Admission: Free
The Military Sea Services Museum will celebrate IMD with extended hours, a special exhibit and docent led tours. The Museum will open two hours early at 10am and close at 5pm. Docent led tours will be conducted throughout the day and will share the history of America’s Armed Forces by highlighting the contributions of individual veterans. A special exhibit about the Korean War will be featured on Museum Day (May 18).
Address: 1402 Roseland Avenue, Sebring, FL 33870 Phone: (863) 385-0992
Website: www.milseasvcmuseum.org
Admission: Free
The Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) will offer extended hours, a special exhibit, and a free raffle on May 18. Stop by the Museum from 12:30-7:00 pm and enter to win a signed, limited-edition print of a painting in MOFAC’s permanent collection “On Sacred Ground,” by Christopher Still. On exhibit will be the Annual Juried SFSC Student Art Show, a solo show of Sebring artist Jim Leary called Reflections & Transmissions, and the History of Florida exhibit which is always on view.
Address: 600 West College Drive Phone: (863) 784-7240
Website: https://mofac.org
Admission: Always free
Peter Powell Roberts Museum of Art and Cultural Center will celebrate International Museum Day on May 18 with extended hours (10am-6pm), docent-led museum tours and a special reveal of two never exhibited pieces of art from the Peter Powell Roberts Collection. There will be an education program at 4PM to coincide with special exhibits and refreshments will be served.
Address: 310 W. Main Street, Avon Park Phone: (863) 402-8238
Website: https://peterpowellroberts.org
Admission: Always free
Other Highlands County Museums include:
- American Clown Museum & School
- Archbold Biological Station
- Avon Park Depot Museum
- Highlands Museum of the Arts (MoTA)
- Sebring Historical Society
Visit Sebring is the destination marketing organization managed by the Highlands County Tourist Development Council (TDC). The mission of the TDC is to contribute to a positive quality of life for the residents of Highlands County through destination promotion, tourism development, advocacy, and resource management – which are foundation pieces for future economic growth. For more information, visit https://www.VisitSebring.com or find us on social media @VisitSebring.
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