County Will Take Over Operations Of Manatee Historical Museums: Clerk

PALMETTO, FL — Manatee County will take over operations of the Manatee Village Historical Park, Palmetto Historical Park, Manatee County Agricultural Museum and the Florida Maritime Museum starting Oct. 1, according to a notice from the office of Angelina "Angel" Colonneso, clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller for Manatee County.

The clerk’s office was responsible for the operations of these museums and historical parks over the last four decades.

Now, the Manatee County government will oversee them under the county’s Sports & Leisure Department.

“Despite the Department’s many accolades, on September 12, 2023, the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners voted 6-1 to remove the four historical museums from the Historical Resources Department of the clerk and terminate clerk funding for staff and operations,” Colonneso’s office said. “While the clerk’s office disagrees with the board’s decision, the office is committed to ensuring a smooth transition so that these sites will continue to serve the community for decades to come.”

During its time overseeing the museums, the department worked with local municipalities and nonprofits to restore and preserve numerous historical structures, boats and a steam locomotive, and to construct several building replicas.

The department received several awards from state and national associations for its work in preservation and heritage education, the clerk’s office said.

It’s reached several hundreds of thousands of people over the decades through site visits, outreach programs, field trips and Manatee History Day.