Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum

01/01/2022

Happy New Year !!!

Happy New Year !!!

12/19/2021

Merry Christmas🎄🎄! There is still time to stop by the museum and check out our gift shop for books, Cottage Artist calendars, and more! This week, open Wednesday and Thursday from 10AM to 2PM. Closed Friday and Saturday for the holiday.

Merry Christmas🎄🎄! There is still time to stop by the museum and check out our gift shop for books, Cottage Artist calendars, and more! This week, open Wednesday and Thursday from 10AM to 2PM. Closed Friday and Saturday for the holiday.

10/20/2021

Save the Date: Saturday, October 30th at 12 Noon on the grounds of the Indian Rocks Historical Museum will be the return of our potluck luncheon, with a presentation by the ever-popular Terry Fortner. We're looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces! Bring a dish to share. All are welcome!

Save the Date: Saturday, October 30th at 12 Noon on the grounds of the Indian Rocks Historical Museum will be the return of our potluck luncheon, with a presentation by the ever-popular Terry Fortner. We're looking forward to seeing new and familiar faces! Bring a dish to share. All are welcome!

09/14/2021

Oktoberfest in IRB is returning with plenty of beer, fun and safety on tap! We’re scaling things back but can still expect great food, live music, traditional German dancing, stein carrying and keg throwing contests and an artisan market. Come celebrate this beachy version of a German tradition on Saturday, October 23rd at Kolb Park from 12-6PM.

05/18/2021

The Museum has resumed normal operating hours 😎🌴:

Wednesday through Saturday, 10AM to 2PM (closed Aug-Sept) See you soon!

05/18/2021

Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum updated their business hours.

Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum updated their business hours.

05/08/2021

Come join us for "Music in the Park" on May 22nd from 5:30-8:00 pm at the new Kolb Park Gazebo. Come early and enjoy some tasty treats and visit our local nonprofit booths. Bring your own chairs and blankets and enjoy the music of KnR Trio. For planning purposes, please register here
https://www.givesignup.org/ticketevent/musicinthepark

05/08/2021

Check this out!

04/09/2021

It's a beautiful day on the beach! Garage Sale Fundraiser benefitting the Museum going on NOW through 4PM today! NOTE: 115 21st Avenue, Indian Rocks Beach, FL.

The Indian Rocks Historical Museum is doing a Garage Sale Fundraiser Friday, April 9 and Saturday April 10, 8AM to 4PM. Come on out Friday, before the citywide event and get the good stuff!

Funds from sales and donations go towards a new exhibit “Shifting Sands.”

If you have items to donate for sale, call Carol at 595-9741 and arrange to drop them off at her house.

Thanks So Much!!! 🌺🌴🐳

04/09/2021

It's a beautiful day on
IRB! Garage Sale Fundraiser benefitting the Museum going on NOW! Location: 115 21st Avenue

03/23/2021

The Indian Rocks Historical Museum is doing a Garage Sale Fundraiser Friday, April 9 and Saturday April 10, 8AM to 4PM. Come on out Friday, before the citywide event and get the good stuff!

Funds from sales and donations go towards a new exhibit “Shifting Sands.”

If you have items to donate for sale, call Carol at 595-9741 and arrange to drop them off at her house.

Thanks So Much!!! 🌺🌴🐳

The Indian Rocks Historical Museum is doing a Garage Sale Fundraiser Friday, April 9 and Saturday April 10, 8AM to 4PM. Come on out Friday, before the citywide event and get the good stuff!

Funds from sales and donations go towards a new exhibit “Shifting Sands.”

If you have items to donate for sale, call Carol at 595-9741 and arrange to drop them off at her house.

Thanks So Much!!! 🌺🌴🐳

12/29/2020

We Wish a Happy, Healthy & Safe New Year to All!

06/28/2020

The Indian Rocks Beach History Museum will remain closed until October 1, 2020. Although closed to the public, we will offer personal tours as we have during hiatus in the past. In deference to the COVID 19 pandemic, a maximum of 4 people will be allowed inside the museum at any time. Entrance will be through the east side door and a mask for each person will be required. Staff will sanitize common areas between visits. The cost is 20.00 for up to four guests. To reserve please call Carol at 727-595-9741.

03/17/2020

The Museum will be closed until further notice. The following events are cancelled:
The Potluck Luncheon scheduled for March 21st
History on the Rocks scheduled for March 24th.

02/16/2020

This Tuesday, February 18, the second event in the History on the Rocks 2020 season will be presented by Bob Griffin, local historian, Florida native, well-known bon vivant and publisher of "Indian Rocks Beach Neighborhood News". His topic will be “The Life of Henry B. Plant—His Ships, Trains and Hotels,” sponsored by Coastal Properties/Christie’s International, Julie Folden, Realtor. Society Partner The Original Crabby Bill’s Family Brands will provide light refreshments. Doors open at 2 pm. Location: Indian Rocks Beach City Auditorium, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd. All Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Your donations make them possible. See you there!

01/10/2020

The Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum announces the second season History on the Rocks! The January program will be held at the Indian Rocks Beach City Hall this Monday, January 13, and will feature Dr. Gary Mormino (Mr. Florida), History Professor Emeritus, USF, and Co-founder of the Florida Studies Program.

Dr. Mormino will talk about “Sandspurs to Fast Food, a History of Food in Florida.’’

The program is sponsored by Colonial Court Inn.

Society Partner, The Original Crabby Bill’s Family Brands, will provide light refreshments.

All Historical Society programs are free and open to the public - your donations make them possible.

Doors open at 2pm.

01/08/2020

The colorful history of Indian Shores landmark Tiki Gardens

The colorful history of Indian Shores landmark Tiki Gardens

The Polynesian-inspired attraction featured Tahitian-style landscaping, statues of tiki gods, gift shops and a restaurant serving exotic food and drinks.

12/21/2019

The IRB Boat Parade has been canceled tonight due to a Small Craft Advisory. Safety is Priority #1 for All! Happy Holidays 🎁🦌

12/03/2019

Home - Indian Rocks Historical Museum

In this Season of Giving please remember the Indian Rocks Historical Society. We work tirelessly to keep the history of our paradise vibrant and alive at the Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum. We are an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization.

All IRB Historical Society programs are free and open to the public. Your financial support make them possible. Please visit our website at www.irbmuseum.com to donate. Simply click on the yellow Donate button on the left side of the page. For your convenience we now accept all major credit cards.

Our Museum is open four days a week, and we offer private tours as well. Our special programs include our popular pot-luck luncheons and History on the Rocks presentations, utilizing our new large screen TV and upgraded sound system. Help us continue these fun and interesting events with your contribution. Donate now!

Thank you!

Welcome to Indian Rocks Beach, news, and poll.

11/29/2019

Home - Indian Rocks Historical Museum

On GivingTuesday, this Tuesday Dec 3rd, please remember the Indian Rocks Historical Society (Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum).
We are an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization working tirelessly to keep the history of our paradise vibrant and alive.
Your financial support makes that possible.
Visit our website at www.irbmuseum.com to donate by simply clicking on the yellow Donate button on the left side of the page.
Help keep our programs free and open to the public.
Thank you!

Welcome to Indian Rocks Beach, news, and poll.

11/28/2019

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We are closed today for the holiday reopening tomorrow.
Check out this invitation dating back to 1948 for dinner at the Palm Garden Restaurant, along with the aerial view of the site of the restaurant alongside Indian Rocks Fruits. It was located at the corner where the Walgreens now sits at Walsingham Road and Indian Rocks Road! Have a wonderful holiday today.

11/04/2019

Save the date! This should be a fun afternoon🌴🌺🏝️🦜. Bring a dish to share and join us November 16th at noon. See you there!

11/04/2019

"Save Our Cottages" Documentary and Art Exhibit | Beach Art Center

SAVE THE DATE - JANUARY 11, 2020

The Beach Art Center is proud to present a "Save Our Cottages" event on January 11, 2020, featuring the Plein Aire Cottage Artists – Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston.

The evening begins with the documentary showing at 7:00 pm at the IRB City Hall auditorium. (Follow the link below to watch the sneak peek!)

Immediately following the film, visitors are invited to an opening reception and a solo art exhibit – with over 60 Plein Aire Cottage Artists’ paintings - next door at the Beach Art Center. Imagine – 2 rooms filled with the amazing Plein Aire Cottage Artists’ paintings!

The opening reception and exhibit, starting at 7:30 pm, is open to the public and free. Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by Baystar Restaurant Group.

Tickets are limited for the documentary. Purchase your ticket today... see you there!

https://www.beachartcenter.org/saveourcottages.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1833624753556238

The Beach Art Center invites you to join us for the Indian Rocks Beach debut of the Save Our Cottages: Artists with a Cause documentary featuring the Plein Aire Cottage Artists - Mary Rose Holmes, Violetta Chandler and Helen Tilston.

10/03/2019

After a long summer closed, we will be opening this week, Wednesday October 2nd to Saturday Oct 5th between the hours of 10am – 2pm. During this past summer’s hiatus, we offered private tours that proved so popular we will offer them year-round. We are also already stocking Cottage Artists 2020 calendars in our gift shop, and have many new exhibit items on display. Come visit soon!

09/02/2019

Florida Historical Society

9/2 Today in Florida History from the Florida Historical Society!

1935 – The infamous “Labor Day” hurricane made landfall near Craig Key in the Florida Keys on this date. It was the third most intense Atlantic hurricane on record, making landfall as a Category 5 storm with winds exceeding 156 mph. A ten-car evacuation train sent from Homestead, carrying many World War I veterans who had been working in the Keys with the Civilian Conservation Corps, was swept off the tracks by storm surge on Upper Matecumbe Key, killing many of them. Nearly 500 deaths were attributed to the storm, although the actual number was probably much higher. Much of Henry Flagler’s Florida East Coast Overseas Railway was destroyed by the storm and never rebuilt. Author Ernest Hemingway visited the veterans’ camps shortly after the storm and wrote an article entitled, “Who Killed the Vet,” which placed the blame on the government for sending the workers to the Keys during hurricane season. A monument to those killed in the storm was erected in Islamorada and unveiled in 1937.

08/19/2019

Creative on Main Street

Creative on Main Street

See how history + artists + oils & canvas = saving a slice of old Florida. Here's a sneak peek of a powerful documentary that chronicles perseverance and preservation. Our passion is saving the stories and documenting all that makes us unique ... our past.

08/03/2019

The Indian Rocks History Museum will be closed during August and September. However, private tours can be arranged for a minimum of four or more people. The charge is $5.00 per person. If interested please call Terry at 727 593-5921. We look forward to reopening to the public in October!

08/03/2019

Save Our Cottages, Artists With A Cause

Save Our Cottages, Artists With A Cause

A documentary by Emmy Award documentary film-maker Lynn Marvin Dingfelder

06/19/2019

Stop by the IRB Museum and and check out the latest donations to the museum: A George King original painting donated by the daughters of the late Helen and Frank Proctor (see photo); a charming Ohio baker's cupboard c 1930, and one of the original Indian Rocks Bridge lanterns.
Great news! We now accept credit card payments! Go to www.irbmuseum.com to donate funds to the Society. Click on the "donate” link on the lower left side of the home page. You can indicate how you want your funds utilized, for example "History on the Rocks", potlucks and other special events, or to start or renew your membership.

06/19/2019

www.irbmusuem.com

Stop by the IRB Museum and and check out the latest donations to the museum: A George King original painting donated by the daughters of the late Helen and Frank Proctor (see photo); a charming Ohio baker's cupboard c 1930, and one of the original Indian Rocks Bridge lanterns.
Great news! We now accept credit card payments! Go to www.irbmusuem.com to donate funds to the Society .Click on the donate” link on the home page. You can indicate how you want your funds utilized, for example "History on the Rocks", potlucks and other special events, or to start or renew your membership.

05/03/2019

REMINDER-POTLUCK LUNCH TOMORROW AT NOON. SEE YOU THERE!
Vintage Florida Roadside Attractions

Join us for a potluck lunch at noon on Saturday, May 4 and enjoy a visual return to “old Florida.” Our guest speaker, Cathy Salustri, logged almost 5,000 miles retracing driving tours from the 1939 WPA Guide to Florida. Her presentation looks at roadside attractions like parrot jungles, chimp farms and, of course, the only city of live mermaids in the world. She includes history of these beloved attractions and the men and women who founded them.

Cathy also will be signing copies of her book, Backroads of Paradise, which chronicles these adventures.

Cathy Salustri is the former arts & entertainment editor of Creative Loafing Tampa, and her portfolio includes pieces in USA Today, Visit Florida and regional press. She lives in Gulfport with her husband, Barry, two hounds, two cats, and most likely, a frog the cats brought in as a present that no one has discovered yet.

Saturday, May 4, 2019, 12 noon
Potluck luncheon – bring a dish to share
Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum
203 4th Avenue across from the Post Office
(don’t park in the PO lot or you will be towed, even if the PO is closed!)

All Historical Society events are free. Your membership and donations make them possible.

04/23/2019

POTLUCK LUNCHEON COMING UP!
Vintage Florida Roadside Attractions
Join us for a potluck lunch at noon on Saturday, May 4 and enjoy a visual return to “old Florida.” Our guest speaker, Cathy Salustri, logged almost 5,000 miles retracing driving tours from the 1939 WPA Guide to Florida. Her presentation looks at roadside attractions like parrot jungles, chimp farms and, of course, the only city of live mermaids in the world. She includes history of these beloved attractions and the men and women who founded them.

Cathy also will be signing copies of her book, Backroads of Paradise, which chronicles these adventures.

Cathy Salustri is the former arts & entertainment editor of Creative Loafing Tampa, and her portfolio includes pieces in USA Today, Visit Florida and regional press. She lives in Gulfport with her husband, Barry, two hounds, two cats, and most likely, a frog the cats brought in as a present that no one has discovered yet.

Saturday, May 4, 2019, 12 noon
Potluck luncheon – bring a dish to share
Indian Rocks Beach Historical Museum
203 4th Avenue across from the Post Office
(don’t park in the PO lot or you will be towed, even if the PO is closed!)

All Historical Society events are free. Your membership and donations make them possible.

03/24/2019

Reminder: Free event tomorrow, 2 pm, with refreshments at IRB city auditorium, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd.
The Indian Rocks Historical Society presents the third in the History on the Rocks series on Monday, March 25. We will gather at Indian Rocks Beach City Hall, 1507 Bay Palm Boulevard. Doors open at 1:30 PM, the talk begins at 2PM. Once again, historian Bob Griffin will entertain us with tales of the first 40 settlers in Pinellas County. These folks received land grants made available via the Armed Occupation Act of 1842. Society partners Crabby Bill's and Ready Set Yo will provide light refreshments. This program is free and open to the public.
Follow us here on Facebook at Indian Rocks Historical Museum, and visit us at irbmuseum.com.

03/06/2019

atirbmuseum.com

The Indian Rocks Historical Society presents the third in the History on the Rocks series on Monday, March 25. We will gather at Indian Rocks Beach City Hall, 1507 Bay Palm Boulevard. Doors open at 1:30 PM, the talk begins at 2PM. Once again, historian Bob Griffin will entertain us with tales of the first 40 settlers in Pinellas County. These folks received land grants made available via the Armed Occupation Act of 1842. Society partners Crabby Bill's and Ready Set Yo will provide light refreshments. This program is free and open to the public.
Follow us on Facebook at Indian Rocks Historical Museum, or visit us at irbmuseum.com

02/13/2019

Winterfest is coming up on February 16th and the Indian Rocks Beach Historical Society will be there! Stop by our booth and browse books and other items from our gift shop. Also on sale: the 2019 Cottage Artist calendars, featuring prints suitable for framing. Winterfest is held at the Calvary Episcopal Church, 1615 1st St, Indian Rocks Beach, 10 am – 4 pm with arts, crafts, kids’ activities, food and beer. Don't miss the Patriotic Pet Parade at noon! Directions: Turn East from Gulf Blvd at 17th Ave next to Guppy’s.