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      • Judge James R. Knott Historical Contribution Award
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  • Museum
    • Plan Your Visit
    • Tours
    • Student Tours
    • Exhibits
    • Virtual Museum
  • Get Involved
    • 2025-2026 Season Guide
    • Membership
      • Personal Membership
      • Corporate Membership
    • Volunteering
    • Giving
  • Programs & Events
  • Research
    • Archives
    • Research Room
  • Education
    • Resources
      • Lesson Plans
      • Traveling Trunks
      • Pop-up Exhibits
    • Education Videos
    • Education Articles
    • Speakers Bureau
  • Historical Society
    • About Us
    • Awards
      • Judge James R. Knott Historical Contribution Award
      • Fannie James Pioneer Achievement Award

Education Articles

Learn With Us

Welcome to History for Kids! These articles and videos are is designed to help Kโ€“12 history teachers access resources and materials to improve U.S. history education in the classroom.ย We’re so happy to have you along for the ride with us and can’t wait to get started!

Explore these articles and videos, and use the worksheets and quizzes at the end of each section.ย 

These articles are excerpts from the HSPBC educational tabloids. Click the link to download a PDF version.

Download Florida History Tabloid

Geography

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Florida’s Ancient People

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Colonial Florida

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Territorial Florida

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Statehood to the Civil War

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Pioneer Era

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Flagler Era and Boom-to-Bust

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Great Depression and World War II

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Post-World War II to Present

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A Story of Agriculture

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Download Civics & History Tabloid

Special Districts and Consolidation Government

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County and Municipal Governments

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Civics and History

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Florida Government

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Native Americans in Palm Beach County

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Palm Beach County History-Introduction

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Contact Us

Phone: 561.832.4164

Mail:
P.O. Box 4364
West Palm Beach, FL 33402

Visit:
300 N. Dixie Highway
West Palm Beach, FL 33401

MUSEUM HOURS

Mon – Sat 10 am โ€“ 4 pm
Sunday Closed

HSPBC ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE HOURS

Mon – Friday 9 am โ€“ 5 pm

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โšก Think you know Benjamin Franklin? Think again. โšก Think you know Benjamin Franklin? Think again.

Before he became the face on the $100 bill, Benjamin Franklin was an inventor, scientist, writer, diplomat, entrepreneur, and one of the most influential minds in American history.

This summer, discover the story behind the icon in Benjamin Franklin: Creating an American Icon. See rare books printed by Franklin himself, fascinating artifacts, portraits, and objects that reveal how his image became one of the most recognizable symbols of the United States.

As we celebrate America's 250th anniversary, there's no better time to explore the life of the man who helped define a nation.

๐Ÿ“… July 6 โ€“ August 31, 2026
๐Ÿ“ Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Complimentary Admission
Presented as part of America 250.

Thank you to our sponsors, Gunster and Forman Capital, for helping bring this remarkable exhibition to our community.

@gunsterlaw

#PBCHistory #BenjaminFranklin #America250 #HistoryLivesHere #WestPalmBeach #PalmBeachCounty #MuseumExhibit #AmericanHistory #FoundingFathers #ThingsToDoInPalmBeach
๐ŸŽ† Happy Fourth of July from the Historical Society ๐ŸŽ† Happy Fourth of July from the Historical Society of Palm Beach County! ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ

For generations, Palm Beach County has celebrated America's birthday with parades, picnics, waterfront gatherings, and community traditions. Join us in taking a trip through our archives to see how Independence Day has been celebrated across the decades.

1) Friends enjoying a cruise near Singer Island, 1930s.
2) "Uncle Sam" walks through the crowds at the Fourth on Flagler Festival, 1990s.
3) A Fourth of July celebration in Flagler Park, West Palm Beach, overlooking Lake Worth, 1917.
4) A parade float moves through the 200 block of Clematis Street during the Fourth of July Parade, 1929.

However you are spending the holiday, you are part of a tradition that has brought our community together for generations. We wish you a safe, happy, and history-filled Fourth of July!

Please note: The Historical Society of Palm Beach County and the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum will be closed Friday, July 3, through Saturday, July 4, in observance of the holiday.

#FourthofJuly #IndependenceDay #America250 #PalmBeachCounty #WestPalmBeach #HistoryMuseum #LocalHistory #FloridaHistory #HistoricPhotos #Archives #CommunityHistory #HistoricalSociety #ExploreHistory #LoveWhereYouLive
โœจ Thank you, QUEST Magazine, for featuring our Ann โœจ Thank you, QUEST Magazine, for featuring our Annual Meeting! โœจ

We are honored to have our Annual Meeting highlighted by QUEST Magazine. This special evening brought together our members, supporters, and community to celebrate another incredible year of preserving and sharing the rich history of Palm Beach County while looking ahead to an exciting future.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us and continues to support the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Your dedication helps us keep local history alive for generations to come.

Want to become part of our growing community? Learn more about membership at the link in our bio!

๐Ÿ“ธ: @capehart

#QuestMagazine #AnnualMeeting #HistoricalSocietyPBC #PalmBeachHistory #PreservingHistory #MuseumCommunity #PalmBeach
Stars, stripes, and history take center stage this Stars, stripes, and history take center stage this July at the Historical Society of Palm Beach County! ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธโœจ

๐Ÿ“… 7/3โ€“7/4: Museum Closed in Observance of Independence Day
๐Ÿ“… 7/6: Benjamin Franklin: Creating an American Icon Opens
๐Ÿ“… 7/22: Robert Watson Presents Benjamin Franklin: The Greatest American

Join us as we celebrate America's 250th anniversary with a fascinating look at one of our nation's most influential Founding Fathers. From a brand-new exhibition to an engaging lecture, July is the perfect time to discover the remarkable legacy of Benjamin Franklin.

Learn more and RSVP at the link in bio.

#America250 #BenjaminFranklin #PalmBeachHistory #HistoricalSocietyPB #JulyAtHSPBC
The waves may come and go, but this summer, surfin The waves may come and go, but this summer, surfing history is making a splash in downtown West Palm Beach. ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ„โ€โ™€๏ธ๐Ÿ„โ€โ™‚๏ธ

Surfing Florida: A Photographic History is now open, and admission is FREE through October 31.
Step inside and get up close to historic surfboards, incredible vintage photography, and the stories of the surfers who transformed Florida's coastline into an iconic surf destination. Discover how Palm Beach County carved out its own place in surfing history, where determination, creativity, and a love of the ocean created a culture that still inspires today.

Whether you're a lifelong surfer, a beach lover, a history buff, or just looking for something fun to do with the family this summer, this exhibition has something for everyone. Kids will love seeing the colorful boards up close, while adults can dive into the fascinating history, larger-than-life personalities, and unforgettable moments that helped define Florida surfing.

So trade the sunscreen for a little history, catch the perfect wave without getting wet, and experience one of the coolest exhibitions of the summer.

Free admission. Open through October 31.

@surfingfloridamuseum
#SurfingFlorida #PalmBeachCountyHistory #SurfCulture #FloridaSurfing #SurfHistory #FreeMuseum #SummerFun #FamilyFun #WestPalmBeach #ThePalmBeaches #MuseumExhibit #HistoricPalmBeachCounty #SupportLocalMuseums #PhotographyExhibit #FloridaHistory
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the openin Thank you to everyone who joined us for the opening reception of Surfing Florida: A Photographic History.

What an incredible evening celebrating Floridaโ€™s surf culture with surfers, historians, photographers, collectors, and community members who help keep these stories alive. Special thanks to Tom Warnke and the Surfing Florida Museum team for partnering with us to bring this remarkable collection to Palm Beach County.

This exhibition is a true example of community curation in action, where museums, collectors, photographers, surfers, and local historians come together to preserve and share the stories that define us.

If you missed the reception, you still have time to experience it. Surfing Florida: A Photographic History is now open and runs through October 31. Come explore decades of surf history through photography, artifacts, and the voices of the people who shaped Floridaโ€™s surf scene.

We invite you to visit, take it all in, and ride the tide through the stories behind the boards, beaches, and culture that continue to inspire generations.

๐Ÿ„โ€โ™‚๏ธ Now on view through October 31

@carolcalicchioart @surfingfloridamuseum #SurfingFlorida #PalmBeachHistory #HistoricalSocietyOfPalmBeachCounty #FloridaHistory #SurfCulture #FloridaSurf #MuseumExhibition #PalmBeachCounty #VisitPalmBeach #CommunityHistory #ExhibitionOpening
๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, st ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, step back in time and meet the man who helped shape a nation.

Opening July 6, Benjamin Franklin: Creating an American Icon explores the life, legacy, and enduring influence of one of Americaโ€™s most remarkable Founding Fathers. Printer, inventor, diplomat, and statesman, Franklin became more than a historical figure. He became a symbol of the American spirit itself.

Discover rare books printed by Franklin, portraits and busts created during his lifetime, and historic iconography from the collection of Zachary and Benjamin Jacobson. Together, these extraordinary objects reveal how Franklinโ€™s image helped define a young nation and continues to influence American identity 250 years later.

๐Ÿ“… On View July 6 โ€“ August 31, 2026
๐Ÿ“ Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum
๐ŸŽŸ๏ธ Complimentary Admission

Presented as part of the nationwide commemoration of America's 250th anniversary.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Gunster and Forman Capital, for making this exhibition possible.

#PBCHistory #BenjaminFranklin #America250 #Semiquincentennial #WestPalmBeach #PalmBeachCounty #HistoryMuseum #FoundingFathers #MuseumExhibit #SouthFloridaEvents #AmericanHistory
๐Ÿ„โ€โ™‚๏ธ Before there was The Endless Summer, there wa ๐Ÿ„โ€โ™‚๏ธ Before there was The Endless Summer, there was the real-life adventure that started it all.
And it all connects right here in Palm Beach County.

This Wednesday, June 24 at 5:30 PM, weโ€™re kicking off the opening of Surfing Florida: A Photographic History at the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum inside the historic 1916 Courthouse. This new exhibition dives into Floridaโ€™s surf culture through rare photography, local stories, and the waves that shaped a lifestyle.

Then the wave keeps rolling.
On June 30, join us for a special screening of Birth of the Endless Summer: Discovery of Cape St. Francis, presented in conjunction with the exhibition.

Directed by Richard Yelland, this award-winning documentary follows surf pioneer Dick Metz as he retraces the wild, globe-spanning journey that helped inspire one of surfingโ€™s most iconic films. Think hitchhiking, steamship-hopping, and the discovery of Cape St. Francis in South Africa, where surf history was quietly being made.

Together, the exhibition and the film pull you deeper into the roots of surf culture, from Floridaโ€™s shoreline to the waves that changed everything.

Set inside the historic courthouse, this is more than a screening. It is a front-row seat to the adventure, history, and spirit that still rides every wave.

๐Ÿ“… Exhibit Opening: June 24, 2026
๐Ÿ•  5:30 PM
๐Ÿ“ Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum

๐Ÿ“… Film Screening: June 30, 2026
๐Ÿ•  5:30 PM
๐Ÿ“ Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum

Catch the opening wave this Wednesday, then ride the story all the way through June 30.

Register now at the link in bio.

#SurfingFlorida #BirthOfTheEndlessSummer #TheEndlessSummer #SurfHistory #PBCHistory #WestPalmBeach #PalmBeachCounty #SurfCulture #FloridaSurfing
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The Historical Society of Palm Beach County is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the rich history of Palm Beach County. Through stewardship of archives, exhibitions, and educational programs, we connect our community to its past to inspire understanding and appreciation for generations to come.

ยฉ2025 Historical Society of Palm Beach County, All Rights Reserved. | Site By Immersive Spaces, LLCโ€‹

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