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This Month at the Center

Tuesday, March 3 1. p.m.

Women Who Made Punta Gorda

We open Women’s History Month with a special program honoring the remarkable women whose dedication, leadership, and perseverance helped shape our community.

Discover the stories of the women who played significant roles in Punta Gorda’s past and whose contributions continue to influence our city today including founders wife, Virginia, Marion McAdow and many others

Tuesday, March 10, 1 p.m. 

The Story of Burnt Store

Join Graham Seeger, author of "Where We Live" and hear about his latest research into the Burnt Store story.  A question that always rises with newcomers and visitors to the area is explored -- how Burnt Store Road and the communities on it got their name. 

Wednesday, March 18, 1 p.m.

Florida's Role in the Most Contentious Election in US History

The 1876 election was resolved by the Compromise of 1877 which involved a notorious exchange for the presidency. Hear the full story of this election and its role in shaping future US elections and the role Florida played in it.  Professor Rose Gatens will share her research into this intriguing history. 

Tuesday, March 24, 1 p.m.

Florida -- the 14th Colony

On the 250th anniversary of the birth of the US, learn more about Florida's role in the revolution from Dr. Stephen Valdes, military historian. 

Tuesday, March 31, 1 p.m. 

Sharing History Through Poetry and Music

Michael Haymans, local attorney and historian, will share his knowledge of our local past through his music and poetry. Michael is a six-generation resident, founder of the Guitar Army, and prominent local historian. 

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 2025 Exhibit - Punta Gorda Through the Lens of Old Postcards 



From the earliest days of the town, postcards, which blossomed in the late 1880s,  were an integral part of communications with friends and family in distant places.  As time went on and Punta Gorda became in part a tourist destination, visitors sent them as mementos of their travels through Florida.  Now these old postcards represent an important visual and written link to Punta Gorda’s past.  In this exhibit their importance to the historical record of the town will be illustrated and the role of postcards will be discussed in programs throughout the year.

Help Provide History

Often an incidental factor in a diary, photograph, map or other document can reveal more about the story of our town.  Before these important clues to our past are lost…