New History Museum

PHOTOS BY SCOTT PITTMAN

“The establishment of a local history museum has been our goal for a number of years,” says Glenda Walters, president of the Bay County Historical Society, a non-profit organization that was founded in 1936.

“Artifacts and local memorabilia, having no other place to go all these years, often found a place in the history room of the Bay County Library or were housed by members of the Historical Society in various storage areas. We were extremely concerned that the history of our area would be lost bit by bit as our founding families passed and later generations had no place to preserve items. We started planning and looked for a building since 2011 and finally, in the spring of 2014, two of our own members, Robert and Lynn Moore, stepped forward and offered us the 2000 square foot building on 6th Street that now houses the museum. The assistance from two local foundations and the support of other individuals and businesses have made it possible for us to pay our expenses since we opened in February.” She explains that volunteers run the organization entirely.

Most of the exhibits are connected to the history of Bay County since its creation from Washington County. While maintaining a number of permanent exhibits, the organization anticipates featuring rotating collections relating to local events, organizations and businesses.

One of the permanent exhibits started with Bay High School memorabilia and was expanded to include several of the Bay County schools. The permanent and growing exhibit of the Bay Line Railroad features materials salvaged from the depot and an array of items donated by former employees. Future plans include an exhibit about the Wainwright Shipyard and those who worked there.

The Bay County Historical Society defines their mission clearly. “The goal is to provide new and different displays to draw visitors back again and again!”

The admission to the History Museum is free.

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LOCATION

223 W. 6th Street, Panama City, FL 32401

HOURS OF OPERATION

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. [/box]