BOCA RATON,FL (Boca Post) (Copyright © 2026) — The Boca Raton Historical Society is expected to present an update on The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum during the May 26 Boca Raton City Council regular meeting, outlining museum attendance, education work, community programs and plans for the second half of 2026.
The presentation materials show the museum has drawn 6,115 visitors so far in the first half of 2026, based on figures listed as of May 20. The museum also reported 23 community programs, 652 students reached, 285-plus visitors through Free Fun Saturdays and 975.75 volunteer hours.
The update gives City Council a look at how the Boca Raton Historical Society is using Historic Town Hall, one of the city’s most recognizable civic buildings, as both a local history museum and a visitor information center.
According to the presentation, the Boca Raton Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum work to preserve and share Boca Raton’s heritage through historic preservation, educational experiences, programming, events and public engagement. The organization lists inclusivity, collaboration and stewardship as its core values.
The museum also serves as an official visitor information location for The Palm Beaches and as a cultural gateway for South Palm Beach County, according to the materials. The presentation describes the center as a place that welcomes residents and visitors year-round, connects audiences to Boca Raton’s history and cultural institutions, and supports downtown vibrancy and heritage tourism.
The museum’s permanent exhibits focus on five areas of Boca Raton history: the Pioneer Era, Addison Mizner, World War II, IBM in Boca Raton and a historical timeline corridor. Those exhibits are designed to walk visitors through early settlement, architecture, wartime history, technology and key moments that helped shape the city.
One current exhibit highlighted in the presentation is “America 250: The 14th Colony,” which is listed as being on view through Aug. 27. The exhibit focuses on Florida before statehood, including the era of the American Revolution, when Florida remained a loyal British colony while Spain served as an economic lifeline. The presentation says rare Revolutionary War artifacts from local collectors are also on display.
Education is another major part of the report. The museum says it hosted 14 school tours and educational presentations in the first half of 2026 and reached 652 students. Curriculum topics listed in the materials include “Pioneer Life & You,” “WWII on the Homefront” and “Time Travelers: Boca Through the Decades.”
The museum also lists youth camps and workshops, including a Junior Historian Summer Program and Road to Revolution Summer Program.
For the second half of 2026, the Historical Society says it plans to expand educational outreach to schools across South Florida and beyond, including work with The Fuller Center on various initiatives. The group also lists a membership goal of 500 members and a push to increase corporate memberships.
The organization is also planning a new website launch by the end of May. According to the presentation, the site is expected to include fully integrated membership and events functions, better automation and an improved user experience.
Several public programs are also listed for later in the year.
The Summer Sips & Sounds series, in partnership with Festival of the Arts BOCA, includes three live concerts. The listed dates are July 2 for “Celebrate America: 250 Years in Song,” Aug. 20 for “Timeless Standards: The Songs of the 1930s” and Sept. 17 for “Seventies by the Sea.”
Continuing community programming includes Free Fun Saturdays, Town Hall Talks, special presentations, Mahjong 101 and open play sessions, Speakeasy Jazz Nights, Light Up Town Hall for the Holidays and special group tours.
The presentation also lists several upcoming signature events, including Toasts, Tastes & Trolleys on Sept. 18, Walk of Recognition on Nov. 4 and a fall temporary exhibit titled “Life’s A Beach.”
Looking farther ahead, the museum notes that 2027 will mark the centennial of Historic Town Hall, which dates to 1927. The Historical Society says it is planning a series of events and programming to commemorate that milestone.
The provided materials do not indicate a requested vote or specific City Council action tied to the presentation.
Source: Boca Raton Historical Society presentation materials prepared for the May 26 Boca Raton City Council regular meeting.
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