Remodeled and Repurposed, New Museum and Cultural Center Readies For Its Big Debut

The new Safety Harbor Museum and Cultural Center, a facility that features exhibits as well as classes and workshops, will have its grand opening on Friday, December 7th.

The event will take place after the tree lighting ceremony downtown and feature refreshments, demonstrations and a chance for people to sign up for classes and become a member of the facility.

"It will be the first chance to show everybody what we're all about," recreation superintendent and facility director Shannon Shafer said.

Work on the former Museum of Regional History began in March and included a complete restoration of the building plus a re-purposing of the now city-run facility.

The building is now home to the existing museum exhibits as well as a number of recreation activites plus local groups and organizations.

“It used to be just a regional history museum,” said Shafer. “It had a couple of exhibits and some camps, plus tours for school kids.”

“But now it’s been rebranded as a museum and cultural center…and it will include classes, workshops, events, galleries as well as museum tours.”

Indeed the new center will feature a slew of workshops dedicated to writing, art and photography taught by a wide array of instructors, plus a number of membership packages designed to reward those who invest in the facility.

A sample of some of the classes and events being offered include an introduction to landscape watercolor painting taught by local artist Carol Zieres; a creative writing class led by writers group founder Laura Kepner; and a kids night at the museum on December 14.

Shafer and fellow leisure services employee Michele Bredal believe the extensive list of programs and activities, combined with the center’s dedication to local artists, will help make the facility popular with people of all ages. 

“We’ve got a huge art community here in Safety Harbor, “ Bredel said. “I always knew we did, but I had no idea how large it was until I put out a call to local artists - I was amazed at the response.”

Bredel also said groups like the Garden Club will have a presence at the museum, and it will be available to rent out for private parties, such as the that was held there last week. 

“We’re not going to be a city facility,” she said. "We've got a great location here."

Shafer added that falling under the direction of the city’s aha!, or Arts Heritage Alive, campaign will help bring the art and culture of the city to life by featuring local artists and rotating sculptures and displays.

She also believes that by working with existing organizations and facilities like the Safety Harbor Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce, the new museum can become a hotbed of activity that will benefit the entire community.

“We want everybody to experience it at least once,” she said. “But we really want people to frequent it and make it a regular stop.”

“There’s going to something for everybody here. And it’s only going to grow.” 

For more information on the new museum and cultural center, visit the city's website or contact Michele Bredal at mbredal@cityofsafetyharbor.com.