Dunedin Makes History With Anniversary Of Dunedin History Museum

DUNEDIN, FL — A museum dedicated to preserving the history of Dunedin is about to make some history of its own.

In a celebration that was delayed due to the pandemic, the Dunedin History Museum, 349 Main St., Dunedin, will commemorate its 50th anniversary on Sunday, Nov. 6 at 6 p.m. with a '70s-theme party at the Blur Nightclub, 325 Main St., Dunedin.

Attendees will witness the opening of the museum's official time capsule and enjoy live music, dancing, cocktails and appetizers.

Guests are encouraged to dig through their attics and storage trunks for their old bell-bottom jeans, tie-dyed T-shirts, leisure suits and platform shoes for the event.

The Dunedin Historical Society officially began on July 14, 1970, transitioning to the name, the Dunedin History Museum, in 2013.

The museum's collection now contains about 2,000 artifacts, 2,500 photographs and a library containing 200 volumes of local and Florida history. It also features an electronic archive of the Dunedin Times newspaper from 1924 through 1965.

Permanent exhibits feature statewide topics including the railroad and citrus industries. Regional topics include Dunedin's multicultural origins, pioneering families, Dunedin's sports history, industries, the development of the alligator tank used by the U.S. Marines during WWII in the Pacific and natural habitats such as Caladesi and Honeymoon islands.

All collections and exhibits are maintained to American Alliance of Museums standards.

Regular events hosted by the museum include the Third Thursday Social Hour, giving residents a chance to socialize with the museum's board of directors and staff, enjoy lite bites and drinks and learn more about the museum's mission, exhibits and collections. Each month features a different speaker. The next event will take place Thursday, Nov. 17 from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A monthly two-hour stroll down historic Victoria Drive takes place the second Friday at 5 p.m. The next stroll will take place on Nov. 11.

The Historic Downtown Dunedin Walking Tour takes place on the third Friday of the month at 10 a.m. The next tour is on Nov. 18.

Special events coming up include the annual Victorian Christmas on Victoria Drive walking tour on Dec. 16.

The museum is funded through memberships, donations, admission fees and proceeds from its gift shop.

It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children and senior citizens.

Museum memberships are $50 for an individual membership, $75 for a family membership and $300 for a business membership. Memberships include unlimited admission for a year, access to Time Travelers reciprocal museums, 10 percent off purchases in the gift shop, 10 percent off purchases at Lane's Lemonade, the Dunedin Days Quarterly Newsletter, invitations to the annual picnic in May, invitations to special exhibit previews and the annual meeting in October and early-access ticket purchases for select events, programs and classes.

Tickets to the anniversary event are $60. Click here.