Historical Resources

Inverness Historic Courthouse and Street signs

Website for Citrus County Historical Society:
https://cccourthouse.org

March brings a new traveling exhibit to the museum, the return of our ever-popular historic walking tours in Inverness, and a talk by an expert paleontologist of Florida's earliest people.

First up in March is a new traveling exhibit from the University of Florida's Florida Museum of National History, Our Changing Climate. This exhibit explores the history of Earth's climate from the days of the dinosaurs, when Florida was still sunk below the sea, to present. It also looks at present day concerns and cutting-edge science surrounding sea level rise and our state. Museum staff have weaved in photographs, stories, and science that pertain directly to Citrus County and out local community. The exhibit will open on Thursday, March 4, and remain on display through the end of May.

Next, on Thursday, March 11 at 7 p.m. Coffee and Conversations brings paleontologist David Letasi to Inverness. In his program Pursuit of Florida's Paleo Hunters you can travel back into the last Ice Age and learn about Florida's first people. Discover how they survived climate change and giant predators. Who were the archeologists that discovered these early hunters' artifact sites? We will compare the artifacts found here in Florida to those around North America. Were there people living here before the Clovis Tradition and what is the Solutrean Theory? What was their origin? These controversies will be examined, and actual Paleoindian artifacts studied. This program is supported by funding from the Florida Humanities. This program is free and open to the public. There is limited in-person seating, with masks and social distancing at the museum, as well as a live stream and recording of the event. Sign up at https://cccourthouse.org/product/david_letasi/ or call 352-341-6428.

With snow storms and freezing weather throughout the United States, it's a good time to appreciate being in Florida where the weather has stayed nice and mild! Come get some fresh air at our Inverness Walks! Historic Downtown Walking Tour. This popular program returns on March 17, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. beginning inside the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum. Spaces are limited so participants are encouraged to pre-register by calling 352-341-6428 or online at www.cccourthouse.org. Suggested donation is $5/per adult and $2/per child which helps the museum continue to offer engaging and fun programs.

Inverness Walks! Downtown Walking Tours

3rd Wednesday of the Month, February 17, 2021, Starting at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum at 9:00 AM.

Hear stories of early and present-day Inverness as your guide shows you a small-town rich with history. Experience the beautiful lakes, parks, and quaint, walkable downtown and its historic buildings. Even locals will be amazed by what they learn! Group size is limited to 15 so please call ahead and register for a spot today!

All proceeds benefit the exhibition, programs, and operations of the Inverness Cultural Heritage Council at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, $5/per adult, $2/per child. For more information and reservations, please call 352-341-6428.

2021 Coffee and Conversations Speaker Series

Event by The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum and Florida Humanities.
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum

Our 2021 Coffee and Conversations speaker series is funded by the Florida Humanities. The Florida Humanities is an amazing organization that support efforts throughout the state to bring artistic, cultural, and historical programming to local communities. Funding for Florida Humanities comes from the National Endowment for the Humanities and private donations.

Permanent Exhibits at the Museum
Changing People, Changing Springs - Chassahowitzka Discovered Artifacts from Chassohowitkza Exhibit Chassahowitzka Springs has been described as a time capsule of Florida history. Beginning with the Paleoindians, who arrived here some 10,000 years ago, to more recent tourists who arrived by steamship and train, people have left tantalizing clues about their sojourns at the Springs. Divers, with assistance from archeologists, have recovered everything from ancient wooden paddles, to Spanish pottery shards, to kerosene lamps and old Coke bottles. These artifacts and many more, will soon be on display at the Museum.

A Long Way Home
A second permanent gallery the Mary MacRae Gallery of History houses an exhibition titled, A Long Way Home, which interprets the history of Citrus County from about 1887, at the forming of the county until present. Displayed in this gallery are interpretative panels on the county’s many early industries. Discover the role that Citrus Countians have played in the many wars over the years that have affected Florida and our area. On display is one of the original clock faces from the clocktower, where women volunteered as spotters to look for enemy planes during WWII. These volunteers signed their names on the back of the clock face. Originally, this was part of the area that housed the Citrus County Property Appraiser and Tax Collector offices

s Full Gallery View of the Local History Gallery . Local History Gallery_Ladies veiwing Turpentine Exhibit

New Traveling Exhibit at the Museum
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