Please Credit: Photo by Joy Katzen-Guthrie for Palm Harbor Museum
OUR RICH LOCAL HERITAGE
Local history comes alive at Palm Harbor Museum! Operated by The Palm Harbor Historical Society (PHHS—organized in 1983), our museum's permanent and changing exhibits and programs highlight our ancient native history, our past and present environmental landscape, the 19th century families who settled and established our region and the historic and modern communities that encompass present-day Palm Harbor. For the more than 60,000 residents of the Palm Harbor area, PHHS is the only organization dedicated solely to collect, preserve and share the rich historical heritage of The Palm Harbor region that includes Palm Harbor (formerly Sutherland), Crystal Beach, East Lake, Curlew, Indian Bluff, Ozona and Wall Springs.
Now in 2023, we celebrate 40 years of volunteers coming together to preserve history as The Palm Harbor Historical Society, founded in 1983. The society has an ambitious future growth plan that incorporates the story of our past and present-day community and grows our community connections, tourism, and identity—keeping them in trust for the future. As a 501(c)3, PHHS receives no governmental support, relying solely on memberships, donations, and volunteers who recognize the value and find joy in preservation of local heritage in addition to funding from Pinellas Community Foundation (via Faith Mission Grant) and local, state, and national grants. Discover more about The Palm Harbor Historical Society.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
We welcome you to stop by Palm Harbor Museum on Thursdays, Fridays, or Saturdays between 10 AM and 2 PM for a self-guided or docent tour. There is no charge to visit our museum, though donations are gratefully accepted to support our building and grounds, exhibits and programs. Our displays provide self-guided learning and discover experiences for residents and visitors of all ages, and our docents delight in sharing the stories of our community, environment, and our artifacts. The nearly 110-year-old Hartley House features a turn-of-the-century parlor and artifact collection devoted to the diversity of our community in addition to our expanding archives that encompass the upstairs of our home that is currently being digitized for future display online and in the museum.
2043 Curlew Rd. (corner of Belcher & Curlew Rds), Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays | 10AM - 2 PM
Self-Guided tours or Docent Tours available
Free Admission (We welcome donations!)
Plenty of free parking on museum grounds | Entrance on Curlew Rd.
2043 Curlew Rd. (corner of Belcher & Curlew Rds), Palm Harbor, FL 34683
Open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays | 10AM - 2 PM
Self-Guided tours or Docent Tours available
Free Admission (We welcome donations!)
Plenty of free parking on museum grounds | Entrance on Curlew Rd.
ACCESSIBILITY
Our museum allows the use of trained service animals by individuals in all public areas of our campus. The Hartley House (The main museum building on our campus) is fully wheelchair accessible. Enter via the access ramp at the rear of the house, which faces the back patio and is across from the Grove House. Accessible parking is immediately next to this patio. A wheelchair accessible restroom is in the Hartley House. PLEASE NOTE: The Grove House to the rear of our main building contains our Citrus History exhibit. Because of its historic nature and the size of the house itself, it is not wheelchair accessible. There are several steps from patio ground level up to the porch to enter this house. Seating is available inside.
GROUP TOURS WELCOMED
We are delighted to host tours for every group! A docent tour of our museum lasts approximately an hour and includes Hartley family history as well as the history of Palm Harbor and the citrus industry, Ozona, Wall Springs, Curlew, East Lake and Crystal Beach. All tours can be catered to your specific group's need and are available for all ages. Seating is provided for those who need to rest. Our goal is to make your experience memorable, fun, insightful, and educational. To arrange a group tour, please email us, call at (727) 724-3054, or submit the form below.
THE HISTORIC HARTLEY HOUSE AND PROPERTY
A pride and joy of our museum, our Historic Hartley House, was built by one of this community's original families. On land purchased by James Hartley around 1880 when Palm Harbor was named Sutherland, this house was built in 1914 by James' son, Thomas W. Hartley to accommodate his young wife, Ida Stanton Hartley, and their four children for decades. On this land, the Hartleys operated a ladder factory in which they built by hand ladders that were used in the local area's thriving citrus industry. The Hartley House remains one of the oldest original homes in Palm Harbor.
In 1880, pioneering Sutherland (today's Palm Harbor) resident John Sherrod Whitehurst sold 80 acres of his Curlew homestead to James & Frances Hartley. Their son, Thomas W. Hartley (1867-1955) lived here for the rest of his life, constructing the landmark house known as The Hartley House, and establishing a flourishing ladder factory. Thomas, a Methodist lay speaker, was elected in 1893 as Justice of the Peace for the Fourth District of Hillsborough County. Several times each week he walked a well-worn path through dense woods to assist with services at Curlew Methodist Church—the oldest church still in its original location in Pinellas County. In 1899, Thomas married Ida Stanton (1870-1952), and by 1910 they had four children. Construction of their new home began in 1914 and took five years to complete. Rusticated blocks were cast in a mail-order mold from Sears Roebuck & Co. Locally sourced lumber was used for the floors and framework, including a front and back porch, with a cellar beneath the kitchen. Water was drawn from a well on the property, cooking was conducted on a wood stove, kerosene lamps provided lighting, and there was no indoor plumbing. Ida managed the family and household, canning jars of guava jelly to boost family income. The Hartley home was a way station along an original trail to Tampa, today known as Curlew Road.
In 1996, this property was purchased by Pinellas County to make way for the Belcher Road extension. The rich history and landmark status of the Hartley House sparked a move to save the building and make it a permanent home for North Pinellas history. It was leased to Palm Harbor Historical Society (PHHS), opening as a museum in 1998. In 2016, PHHS received a State of Florida Cultural Facilities grant to refurbish the house in order to showcase local history exhibits. PHHS volunteers maintain Palm Harbor Museum as primary repository for historical artifacts and documents pertaining to this unincorporated area of Pinellas County. Within what is today a sprawling urban area exist the distinct communities of Curlew, Crystal Beach, East Lake, Ozona, Old Main Street Palm Harbor and Wall Springs. These settlements, once separated by groves, farms, swamps, pastures and woodlands, may be a bit more difficult to identify in isolation today, but landmarks, such as the Hartley House, an icon of the Curlew community, are evidence of their existence.
In 1880, pioneering Sutherland (today's Palm Harbor) resident John Sherrod Whitehurst sold 80 acres of his Curlew homestead to James & Frances Hartley. Their son, Thomas W. Hartley (1867-1955) lived here for the rest of his life, constructing the landmark house known as The Hartley House, and establishing a flourishing ladder factory. Thomas, a Methodist lay speaker, was elected in 1893 as Justice of the Peace for the Fourth District of Hillsborough County. Several times each week he walked a well-worn path through dense woods to assist with services at Curlew Methodist Church—the oldest church still in its original location in Pinellas County. In 1899, Thomas married Ida Stanton (1870-1952), and by 1910 they had four children. Construction of their new home began in 1914 and took five years to complete. Rusticated blocks were cast in a mail-order mold from Sears Roebuck & Co. Locally sourced lumber was used for the floors and framework, including a front and back porch, with a cellar beneath the kitchen. Water was drawn from a well on the property, cooking was conducted on a wood stove, kerosene lamps provided lighting, and there was no indoor plumbing. Ida managed the family and household, canning jars of guava jelly to boost family income. The Hartley home was a way station along an original trail to Tampa, today known as Curlew Road.
In 1996, this property was purchased by Pinellas County to make way for the Belcher Road extension. The rich history and landmark status of the Hartley House sparked a move to save the building and make it a permanent home for North Pinellas history. It was leased to Palm Harbor Historical Society (PHHS), opening as a museum in 1998. In 2016, PHHS received a State of Florida Cultural Facilities grant to refurbish the house in order to showcase local history exhibits. PHHS volunteers maintain Palm Harbor Museum as primary repository for historical artifacts and documents pertaining to this unincorporated area of Pinellas County. Within what is today a sprawling urban area exist the distinct communities of Curlew, Crystal Beach, East Lake, Ozona, Old Main Street Palm Harbor and Wall Springs. These settlements, once separated by groves, farms, swamps, pastures and woodlands, may be a bit more difficult to identify in isolation today, but landmarks, such as the Hartley House, an icon of the Curlew community, are evidence of their existence.
References
Jones, Winona, Around Palm Harbor, Arcadia Publishing, 2005.
Palm Harbor Museum Oral History interviews with primary sources: Philip Barry, Helen Barry Kamp, Frank Polaski, Bill Polaski, Don Polaski, Charley Jones.
Bishop, Nancy and Sutton, Rheba, A Step Back Into Yesteryear, A Brief History and Pictoral (sic) Tour of Historic Palm Harbor, 1996.
Brochures and Newspaper Articles, including Reed, Ralph, St.Petersburg Times, Sept.3, 1938.
Jones, Winona, Around Palm Harbor, Arcadia Publishing, 2005.
Palm Harbor Museum Oral History interviews with primary sources: Philip Barry, Helen Barry Kamp, Frank Polaski, Bill Polaski, Don Polaski, Charley Jones.
Bishop, Nancy and Sutton, Rheba, A Step Back Into Yesteryear, A Brief History and Pictoral (sic) Tour of Historic Palm Harbor, 1996.
Brochures and Newspaper Articles, including Reed, Ralph, St.Petersburg Times, Sept.3, 1938.
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@2022 Pinellas County Government Photo
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ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION
We deeply care about our rich cultural heritage of the land and water, animal life, fishing, railroads, orange groves and original families of our community. Our Oral History Collection provides video interviews with longtime residents of our region who recall and keep alive personal and family remembrances of Palm Harbor times past—in wilderness Florida, in close-knit neighborhoods shrouded within the grandeur of ancient granddaddy oaks, and among citrus groves, family farms, and family-owned and operated businesses of all sizes that once permeated north Pinellas County. Of springs, ponds, lakes and piers where locals of all ages swam, fished, and enjoyed cookouts together. Of when the post office was in the general store—and the general store was where the neighbors assembled for the daily news and gossip. And of thriving citrus farms, ranches, university life, resorts, and local businesses of a century to a half-century ago. Though that Palm Harbor is no more and the city of Palm Harbor has grown in leaps and bounds, this community's rich memories of small town life in which people of varied cultures settled together, loved the land, and knew and cared for one another are still deeply treasured.
HOSTING YOUR EVENT IN THE HARTLEY HOUSE
The Hartley House is also a unique and charming location to host your special event and has been the memorable setting for baby and bridal showers, engagement and anniversary parties, reunions, receptions, workshops, classes, support groups, and networking and HOA meetings, book clubs, volunteer recognition parties and other meetings of all kinds.
Our main house (which includes kitchen and dinette area) as well as porches, patio, and Grove House are all part of our grounds and available for rent, subject to availability. There is plenty of space for live musicians or bands on our outdoor porch and patio and for individual musicians inside. You may visit us to see if our historic property is appropriate for your special occasion. Please email or call us (727-724-3054) to discuss your event plans and the possibility of hosting your event at Palm Harbor Museum.
Our main house (which includes kitchen and dinette area) as well as porches, patio, and Grove House are all part of our grounds and available for rent, subject to availability. There is plenty of space for live musicians or bands on our outdoor porch and patio and for individual musicians inside. You may visit us to see if our historic property is appropriate for your special occasion. Please email or call us (727-724-3054) to discuss your event plans and the possibility of hosting your event at Palm Harbor Museum.
OUR GROWING FLORIDA NATIVE LANDSCAPE
In 2022, a Pinellas County Municipal Services Taxing Units (MSTU) Special Projects Grant enabled reintroduction of native plant species to our museum’s landscape to complement and enhance existing historic specimen plants on our grands to add Florida nature to our history. Our pocket park allows self-guided tours of the growing gardens. With existing picnic tables, one can relax and enjoy social gatherings in addition to soaking in the beauty of our native flowering plants and learning more about the history of these species.
Through a series of Landscape Work Days in 2022 and 2023, dedicated volunteers from Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Florida Master Gardeners, Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, GFWC North Pinellas Women's Club, and museum members, neighbors, and community members trimmed trees and removed weak tree limbs, removed non-native palms and shrubs, cleared our property and bordering fences of invasive vines and took delivery of new plants. We added Informational signage for all ages to convey stories about our local history and explain how early humans and and subsequent settlers to North Pinellas grew and used these plants for food, resources, inspiration and beauty.
Through a series of Landscape Work Days in 2022 and 2023, dedicated volunteers from Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Florida Master Gardeners, Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, GFWC North Pinellas Women's Club, and museum members, neighbors, and community members trimmed trees and removed weak tree limbs, removed non-native palms and shrubs, cleared our property and bordering fences of invasive vines and took delivery of new plants. We added Informational signage for all ages to convey stories about our local history and explain how early humans and and subsequent settlers to North Pinellas grew and used these plants for food, resources, inspiration and beauty.
And the Ribbon Was Cut!
On December 9, 2022, representatives from Pinellas County government, the museum and wider region were present for a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to officially open the New Native Living Landscape to the community. View Pinellas County Government's video feature of the event and the gardens below.
(L to R) Palm Harbor Historical Society President Bob Fortner, Pinellas County Commissioners Charlie Justice, Dave Eggers and Terry Fortner, Living Landscape Project volunteer coordinator
Photos ©Pinellas County Government
Photos ©Pinellas County Government
As our flowering plants, shrubs, and trees evolve and mature, they are producing a native Bird Thicket, Florida Butterfly Garden, Heritage Rose Garden, Muhly Meadow, Wildflower Garden, and Pollinator Overlook to enhance our museum. Visit our pocket park at the corner of Belcher and Curlew Roads. We want your senses to come alive with community pride — and we hope to inspire you to bring native plants to your own landscape.
THE PALM HARBOR MUSEUM MISSION
To collect, preserve and share the heritage of the Palm Harbor area. Besides Palm Harbor, our communities include Ozona, Crystal Beach, East Lake, Curlew and Wall Springs. Each are distinct communities with strong histories.
To collect, preserve and share the heritage of the Palm Harbor area. Besides Palm Harbor, our communities include Ozona, Crystal Beach, East Lake, Curlew and Wall Springs. Each are distinct communities with strong histories.
PALM HARBOR MUSEUM
2043 Curlew Rd | Palm Harbor, FL | 34683 | (727) 724-3054 | palmharbormuseum@outlook.com
Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays | 10 AM to 2 PM | Free Admission (We welcome donations!)
Plenty of free parking on our museum grounds | Corner of Belcher & Curlew Rds | Enter parking lot from Curlew
2043 Curlew Rd | Palm Harbor, FL | 34683 | (727) 724-3054 | palmharbormuseum@outlook.com
Open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays | 10 AM to 2 PM | Free Admission (We welcome donations!)
Plenty of free parking on our museum grounds | Corner of Belcher & Curlew Rds | Enter parking lot from Curlew
