BOCA RATON, FL (May 21, 2026) – Summer arrives with a spirit of discovery at The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. This June, the Museum invites the community to step into history with two standout events — a free family-friendly Saturday and an expert-led Town Hall Talk — all set against the backdrop of its compelling new exhibition, America 250: The 14th Colony, now on display through August 27.

Presented by JM Family Enterprises | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

On Saturday, June 6, the Museum opens its doors wide for a full day of free family fun inspired by the America 250 exhibit. Presented by JM Family Enterprises, Free Fun Saturday transforms the Museum into a living, breathing portal to Revolutionary-era Florida — with activities designed to spark curiosity and ignite imaginations of all ages.

All-Day Activities (10 AM – 4 PM):

• Free Museum Admission
• Museum Scavenger Hunt — follow the clues through history
• Tiny Archaeological Dig — uncover artifacts like a real historian

Featured Activities:

• 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Face Painting
• 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Spanish Shipbuilding Craft — Build your own miniature Spanish-inspired ship to take home
• 3:00 PM | Storytime in the Pioneer Exhibit

Guests are also invited to enjoy a special “Pink Lemonade Passion” refreshment, available while supplies last. It’s the perfect summer treat to cool down between adventures.

Free Fun Saturday is free and open to all. Advance registration is encouraged at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-crafts-workshop-tickets-1990391097352.

South Florida in the 18th Century

What was life really like in South Florida during the era of the American Revolution? On Tuesday, June 17, the Museum’s Town Hall Talks series welcomes renowned South Florida archaeologist and historian Robert Carr for an illuminating conversation on the region’s 18th-century landscape, its diverse peoples, and the forces that shaped daily life long before modern Florida took shape.

Part of the Museum’s ongoing America 250 programming series, this talk pairs perfectly with the current exhibition, deepening the visitor experience and connecting Boca Raton’s own archaeological legacy to the broader story of Revolutionary-era Florida.

Tickets and additional details available at https://TownHallTalks18thCenturyFlorida.eventbrite.com.

Both June events are inspired by the Museum’s current exhibition, America 250: The 14th Colony, on view through August 27, 2026. The exhibition uncovers Florida’s little-known role during the American Revolution — when the territory remained a loyal British colony as the other thirteen declared independence.

Guest curated by Smithsonian Scholar Martha Gutierrez-Steinkamp, the exhibition features 18th-century map reproductions, Revolutionary War artifacts from local collectors, period costumes on loan from The Wick Theatre, and curated elements from the Museum of Florida History. Together, they paint a vivid portrait of Florida’s place in the broader American story — one that challenges the traditional narrative and inspires new curiosity about the nation’s founding.

“Florida’s role during the Revolutionary era is one of the most fascinating and least understood chapters of early American history,” said Susan Gillis, Curator. “This exhibition invites visitors to look beyond the traditional narrative of the thirteen colonies and discover the people, conflicts, and international influences that shaped Florida during this pivotal moment in history.”

The exhibition is open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for students. Free for Boca Raton Historical Society members and FAU students with a valid Owl Pass.

Located in Boca’s original 1927 Town Hall at 71 N. Federal Highway, The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the city’s rich history while connecting local stories to national milestones. The Museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for students. Free admission is available for Boca Raton Historical Society members and FAU students with a valid Owl Pass. Learn more and reserve tickets at www.BocaHistory.org.

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