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How Floral City Heritage Council Started

The Floral City Historic District

A Historic District is a group of buildings united by a historic feature.

The Avenue of Historic Oaks is the historic feature of Floral City.

On December 1, 1993, the Floral City Historic District was designated as a listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), a part of the National Park Service's program "to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate and protect America's historic and archeological resources” (National Preservation Act, 1966)

 

The Floral City Historic District is the only national historic district in Citrus County. 

The Floral City Heritage Council is a group of citizens who collaborate with local organizations, businesses, professionals, residents, and government agencies to advocate for the preservation and protection of the Historic Trees along Orange Avenue in the Floral City Historic District.

Floral City Heritage includes two site listings on the Florida Black Heritage Trail, a guidebook to African American landmarks and legacies throughout the state.

The Frazier/Williams Cemetery is the site of one of the earliest identified segregated cemeteries in Florida. A monolith commemorating the site as the Floral City Community Cemetery has been added with the assistance of the Floral City Heritage Council.

Also listed on the Florida Black Heritage Trail is Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, one of the oldest segregated Florida churches still in use. 

These two sites are the only sites in Citrus County that are documented in the Florida Black Heritage Trail.

Every year since 1993 we of the Floral City Heritage Council have been celebrating the first weekend in December with Heritage Days Events in the Floral City Historic District.  Residents showcased period costumes and the historic architecture of the area with the Blue Banner Tour of Historic Homes until 2019.  We have not held the indoor tours of individually owned homes since Covid 19 but residents continue to purchase and enjoy their historic homes and the village life Floral City offers.  

The Duval-Metz House and property on Orange Avenue, is an ongoing restoration project by the Duval Preservation Trust.   It is just across the street from Town Center and our Heritage Museum. Tours are available during most  Floral City Events such as the Heritage Days event in traditionally held in December. More events are being planned with a goal of having year round heritage events to celebrate our history.   It is a favorite destination and a monument to the spirit of historic preservation.

In December 2009, the Floral City Heritage Council opened a Heritage Museum and Country Store to further support the mission of preserving knowledge of history and pre-history of Citrus County, Florida, and nearby areas.

The Museum exhibits are designed, developed, and prepared by Floral City volunteers. On Museum workdays, Heritage Council members clean and organize the Museum. And on Fridays and Saturdays, our local Heritage Council members greet all visitors to the Museum and work the Country Store.

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Floral City Heritage Council

Officers 2023 - 2024
Chairwoman - Terri Hartman
Vice Chair - Laura Hennings
Financial Officer - Janie Stewart and Eileen Clark
Recording Secretary - Paulette Ritchie
Membership - Laura Hennings

Museum Curator- Tom Ritchie

Steering Committee Members 2023 - 2024

Joe Brown, Harvey Dunn, Jeane DeFelice, Ralph Johnson, Shawn McNamara, Tom Ritchie, Sharon Thompson, Winn Webb

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Mission: The Floral City Heritage Council serves as an advocate for Florida historic preservation and presents and supports Florida folk-life programs.  Established in September 1992 as a local branch of the Citrus County Historical Society, we support and promote the Society's mission to preserve and further the knowledge of the history and pre-history of Citrus County, Florida, and nearby areas.  

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Floral City Heritage Council is part of Citrus County Historical Society

The Citrus County Historical Society, Inc. (CCHS, INC.) was originally formed in 1963, and incorporated in 1979. Operating as a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation, it accepts tax-deductible donation in the active pursuit to "preserve and further the knowledge of the history and pre-history of Citrus County and nearby areas." A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Division of Consumer Services by calling toll-free within the state to 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352). Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.