Old Courthouse Heritage Museum

Inverness Walks: Historic Downtown Walking Tour
2024-03-09 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-04-13 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Join staff from The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum and Citrus County Historical Society for our monthly Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Together, we’ll explore the downtown areas and you’ll the history the who how and why of the buildings around the Downtown Square. 9 am every second Saturday of the month. Tour lasts for about an hour. $5 suggest donation for adults and $2 for children. Spaces are limited. Please RSVP ahead by calling (352) 341-6428.

Music at the Museum: Cool Corporate Cats
2024-03-21 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents:
The Cool Corporate Cats featuring Dell O. Barnes Sr. and Joe Donato
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and include appetizers, soft drinks, and after-hours access to the museum between 6 pm and 7 pm. $5 discount for members of the Citrus County Historical Society.
A local favorite, these highly talented Florida based musicians and showmen offer some of the best blues and jazz in Florida. Their performance is nothing short of fantastic. You won’t want to miss this powerful performance with two special guests. Florida Jazz Hall of Famer Joe Donato with his saxophones and Sir Dell O. Barnes Sr. on his tenor sax.
Citrus County Historical Society Members receive a $5 discount on ticketed events (limit 4 discounted tickets per event). Your membership must be active to receive the discount. If you are unsure of your membership status, please call 352-341-6428. Ordering a membership-priced ticket without an active membership may result in your order being canceled. To purchase tickets, click here: Citrus County Historical Society – Shop Online (mmpos.app)

Free Concert for Kids: Trout Fishing in America
2024-03-23 12:00 - 14:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents:
Free concert for kids and families: Trout Fishing in America!

Inside our historic courtroom! Please RSVP for seats as space is limited. Call our office at (352) 341-6428 between Tuesday and Saturday.

Trout Fishing in America are Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet– a folk duo formed in 1979 and comprised only of a guitar, a bass, and two vocalists. It’s not unusual for 3 or 4 generations to show up at their concerts– a point of pride for the band! Their music is full of fun and eclectic songs for the whole family!

Free Lunch and Learn: Fun with Quilts
2024-03-28 12:30 - 14:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a Free Lunch and Learn called “Fun with Quilts” to coincide with our Spring exhibition of “Not Your Grandmother’s Quilt” in which beautiful quilts with unconventional styles will be displayed. Limited spaces, so please RSVP in advance by calling the museum office at (352) 341-6428 between Tuesday and Saturday.
The panel discussion will include an overview of quilting through the times, and how quilting benefits the individual, the community, and the economy. Plus, event goers are encouraged to bring one of their own quilts that means something to you for a show and tell. Participants will also get to see the museum’s collections of historic quilts made in Citrus County.

The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum’s Coffee and Conversations Lectures series is supported by the Citrus County Historical Society. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these programs do not necessarily represent those of the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum or the Citrus County Historical Society.

Free Gardening Workshop for Adults
2024-04-03 10:00 - 11:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Let’s celebrate National Garden Month with enthusiasm and passion! Come and join us for a Garden workshop hosted by Citrus County Parks and Recreation and The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum. The workshop will enlighten you on the simple planting fundamentals and showcase the beauty of Florida’s native plants. This event is an opportunity to explore the wonders of nature and enhance your gardening skills. Let’s have some fun and enjoy the beauty of nature together!
Please reserve seats at the event link below.

Free Kids' Gardening Workshop
2024-04-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
We are thrilled to invite you to join Parks and Recreation and the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum in celebrating National Kids Gardening Month. We are hosting a free fun and engaging gardening workshop to teach kids about nature and get them excited about how flowers grow. Our workshop is scheduled for Saturday, April 13, 2024, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. We can’t wait to see you there!
Seats are limited. Please preregister online at the link below:

Free Earth Day Fair with UF IFAS Extension Citrus County
2024-04-20 10:00 - 13:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Come see staff from The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum for a free family program offsite this month- we’re joining in on UF IFAS Extension Citrus County’s Earth Day Fair on Saturday, April 20th. Look for the big tent outside of the Extension Office located at 3650 West Sovereign Path in Lecanto. The event involves free children’s activities including crafts, a trash to treasure art showcase, a master gardener to answer questions, and a Storybook Walk. For more information, please call UF IFAS Extension of Citrus County at (352) 527-5700.

Free Lunch and Learn: Citrus County and the Seminole Wars with Sean Norman
2024-04-25 13:00 - 14:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a Free Lunch and Learn on Citrus County and the Seminole Wars with Sean Norman on Thursday, April 25th at 1 pm. Bring your lunch or join us for light snacks and refreshments and learn about Citrus County’s Seminole War history. Archaeologist, historian and environmental scientist Sean Norman will lead the discussion. He’ll explain how we learn about the past with advances in battlefield archaeology. Please RSVP by calling the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday to reserve your seat: (352) 341-6428.

Music at the Museum: The Divebombers
2024-04-25 18:00 - 21:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents:
The Divebombers
Thursday, April 25, 2024
Doors open at 6 p.m. and music starts at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and include appetizers, soft drinks, and after-hours access to the museum between 6 pm and 7 pm. $5 discount for members of the Citrus County Historical Society.
The Divebombers play classic American music with a focus on top-level guitar playing. The group blends many classic genres into a crowd-pleasing and exciting performance. The Divebombers present the music of George Jones, Johnny Cash, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Glen Campbell, Chuck Berry, Jerry Reed, Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and early Elvis, with instrumental virtuosity and an irresistible sense of fun.
Citrus County Historical Society Members receive a $5 discount on ticketed events (limit 4 discounted tickets per event). Your membership must be active to receive the discount. If you are unsure of your membership status, please call 352-341-6428. Ordering a membership-priced ticket without an active membership may result in your order being canceled. To purchase tickets, click here: Citrus County Historical Society – Shop Online (mmpos.app)

Free Kids' Crafternoon: Quilting Mug Rugs
2024-05-04 13:00 - 15:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a Free Kids’ Crafternoon: Quilting Mug Rugs
Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 1:00 pm
In the 2nd floor historic courtroom of the museum.
For ages 9 to 14. Limited spaces. Please preregister. Call our office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428 to sign up.
Accompanying adults must supervise your children for the duration of the program. During your visit, plan time to see our temporary exhibit in the rotating gallery entitled, “Not your Grandmother’s Quilt”

Free Coffee and Conversations: Introduction to Conservation Photography with Linda Wilinski
2024-05-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Join another Free Coffee and Conversations, part of a lecture series open to the community. Free coffee and light refreshments. Please RSVP by calling the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428.

Introduction to Conservation Photography
Join Linda Wilinski as she shares how your lens can become a powerful tool to create impactful stories. Learn how photographs can establish an emotional connection between humans and animals to assist in conservation efforts. Nature enthusiasts, photographers, naturalists and anyone that is passionate about wildlife and nature will enjoy this program as Linda gives tips on ethical photography and how to capture beautiful images. Conservation Photography is storytelling in its purest form and Linda can’t wait to share some insights from her own experience on land and underneath the surface.
Linda Wilinski is a conservation photographer with focus on freshwater springs. She is a certified Florida Master Naturalist, attended Crealde’ School of Art and has won several prizes along with exhibiting her photography throughout Florida.

Wilinski uses her art to tell stories of Florida’s incredible wildlife and advocate for its protection. Living on the Rainbow River has enabled her to spend most of her free time kayaking, snorkeling,
and educating others about the importance of Florida’s springs. Her vision is to reconnect people with the outdoors, to bring awareness of Florida’s beauty as well as shedding light onto its hardships.
The purpose of her art is to encourage conservation.

Linda has formed a special bond with some of the local wildlife and is also known as “the otter whisperer”. She volunteers as a board member of Rainbow River Conservation, is part of the Florida Springs Council Communication Advisory Board and donates to non-profit organizations on a regular basis.
Website: www.lindawphotography.com
Social Media: @lindawphotography

Inverness Walks: Historic Downtown Walking Tour
2024-05-11 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-06-08 09:00 - 10:00, 2024-07-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Join staff from The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum and Citrus County Historical Society for our monthly Historic Downtown Walking Tour. Together, we’ll explore the downtown area and you’ll learn the history of the who, how, and why of the buildings around the Downtown Square. At 9 am every second Saturday of the month. Tour lasts for about an hour. $5 suggested donation for adults and $2 for children. Spaces are limited. Please RSVP by calling our office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428.

Kids' Dairy Day- a Free Event
2024-05-18 10:00 - 11:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
UF/IFAS Extension Citrus County and The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum present: Kids’ Dairy Day!

This event is totally free! However, spaces are limited. Please preregister by calling us before the day of the event and provide any food allergy or diet restriction information at that time. To sign up, call the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428.

The program will last between 1 and 2 hours and includes:
Mooga (cow inspired yoga)
Snacks
and Crafts!

The program is meant for kids ages 5 and up and parents and accompanying adults must stay and supervise your children for the duration of the program.

Citrus County Historical Society Members Mixer
2024-05-23 18:00 - 19:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Members of Citrus County Historical Society are invited to join us at the museum for a Members Only Mixer to celebrate a local history of recreation in Citrus County on Thursday, May 23rd at 6 pm. We request that you RSVP in advance by calling the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428 as spaces may fill up. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. This event takes place while our temporary exhibit, Wild Citrus is on display. Wild Citrus will tell several stories about recreation over the past century and longer within our area. Members are also encouraged to bring photos of themselves enjoying recreational activities or related equipment for show and tell, as the event will include some icebreakers to get folks mixing and mingling. Last but not least, we’ve invited local author and nature enthusiast, Max Schulman, to speak about the local hiking and paddling hotspots in Citrus County outlined in his books, Finding the Treasures of the Trails. We’ll be mixing inside the historic courtroom in the museum located at 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450.

Nautical Wreaths: Free Craft Class for Adults
2024-05-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Citrus County Parks and Recreation and The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum present “Nautical Wreaths: A Free Craft Class for Adults” on Friday, May 24th between 10 am and 12 noon. As spaces are limited, we ask that you please RSVP in advance by calling the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428. We’ve got the supplies, and we’ll meet inside the historic courtroom of The Old Courthouse Museum at 10 am. Be sure to get yourself checked in at the desk on the first floor.

Free Kids' Scavenger Hunt in the Museum
2024-06-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a free Kids’ Scavenger Hunt in the Museum on Saturday, June 1, 2024.
Hunts begin at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm.

Limited spaces. Please preregister by Wednesday, May 29th. Each family team need 1 smart phone or tablet. Winners will receive prizes. To sign up, please call the office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428 and choose your start time.

Pizza Garden- a Free Kids' Event
2024-06-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
UF/IFAS Citrus County Extension and The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum present:
Pizza Garden- a Free Kids’ Event
Learn how to plant and grow ingredients for pizza!
Create and munch on a pizza snack!
Play pizza bingo!

For ages 5 and up. Spaces are limited. Please preregister by calling the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428. Accompanying adults must stay and supervise your children for the duration of the event. Stop by the Market at the Depot down the street at Liberty Park before or afterward for music, food, crafts, a playground, and fun on first and third Saturdays.

Free Coffee and Conversations on Florida's Underground Railroad with Magdalena Lamarre
2024-06-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a Free Coffee and Conversations lecture by Magdalena Lamarre on Florida’s Underground Railroad on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7 pm in celebration of Juneteenth. Join us to listen and enjoy light refreshments. Please RSVP by calling the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday: (352) 341-6428.
The nation’s first Underground Railroad was established in Florida in the late 17th century, servings as a beacon of freedom for runaway slaves from the American South. Existing before the better-known Northern Underground Railroad, enslaved Africans gained their freedom by escaping and earning asylum in Spanish Florida. This presentation focuses on Florida’s early history as a Spanish territory, the escape routes used by runaway slaves, and the black communities they established before the abolition of slavery in the United States.
Magdalena Lamarre was a Full Professor of History and Sociology at Miami-Dade College. Lamarre earned a BA in History and Secondary education from Hunter College, an MA in History Education from Stony Brook university, and completed post-graduate work in Sociology and Education at Florida International University.
This Florida Talks program is a partnership between Florida Humanities and The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum. Funding for this program was provided by Florida Humanities and sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Free Kids' Event: No Such Thing as a Bad Bug
2024-07-06 10:00 - 11:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Join The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum’s newest volunteers, AJ and John Boener from A Wild Family, as they present A Mindful Summer Series of free kids’ events at the museum.
The first event is “No Such Thing as a Bad Bug” on Saturday, July 6th at 10 am and again at 1 pm. Kids will participate in a short story time, will learn the important roles of insects in our lives, and even get a chance to make their own safe bug spray from native plants and oils.

Accompanying parents and adults will choose which session you want to participate in and must supervise your children for the duration of the event. It is recommended for children ages 5 to 12. The program will last between 1 and 2 hours. Seats are limited, so please RSVP in advance to reserve yours. Call (352) 341-6428.

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More background:
In short…..We (John & AJ) met in 2006, & lived in Plymouth, IN at our permaculture-based, educational farm; Luna Hill Farm (Cultivating Community & Celebrating Curiosity) for 10 years, where we raised 4 kids, ran the Luna Hill Wild School (Nuturing Wonder, with Nature), & hosted many community-building events. Away from the farm, John worked as a carpenter & AJ taught various classes throughout the community. We sold the farm in 2022, converted a bus to a RV in 3 1/2 months, then hit the road to travel the US for 6 months. We lived & traveled for over a year in that home-on-wheels; volunteering, exploring, & learning so much!
Read more about our story: www.awildfamily.com

Free Kids Event: No Such Thing as a Bad Bug, Session 2
2024-07-06 13:00 - 14:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States

Free Kids' Event: Bee Fantastic! (for ages 3 to 8)
2024-07-13 10:00 - 11:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Join us at The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum with Citrus County Parks and Recreation and Mosquito Control as we present a free kids’ program called “Bee Fantastic!” all about the bees!
At 10 am, we’re gearing the program toward 3 to 8 year olds with story time, arts and crafts, and a taste of honey.

At 1 pm, we’ll host a slightly different program for 9 to 12 years olds with arts and crafts, a taste of honey and a lesson on bee keeping. (No actual bees will be there).

While the event is free, space is limited so please call to preregister at (352) 341-6428. Our events often fill up so just showing up on the day of the event will not guarantee you a space.
Parents and accompanying adults must supervise your children for the duration of the events.
We’ll BEE seeing you soon!

Free Kids' Event: Bee Fantastic (for ages 9 to 12)
2024-07-13 13:00 - 14:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States

Free Coffee and Conversations: Withlacoochee Forest Management with Vince Morris
2024-07-18 19:00 - 20:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Join Vince Morris, Resources Administrator for the Withlacoochee State Forest for a presentation about the current management of the forest. This talk will include information about prescribed burning, invasive species management, the use of drones, and endangered species management.

Vince was born and raised in Livermore, California and attended Humboldt State University for a B.S. in Forest Resource Management in 1987. He worked for the Peace Corps in Guatemala, and Nature Conservancy in Sacramento. He came to Florida in 1996 and worked at the Withlacoochee State Forestry Center as County Forester, Ecology Forester, Ecology Unit Leader, and now Resource Administrator. Special passions are prescribed burning, red-cockaded woodpecker management, and invasive species control. He also volunteers at Russell Street Park in Brooksville and enjoys running and cycling.

To attend the event, please RSVP in advance as seating is limited and seats may fill up. Call (352) 341-6428. Coffee and light refreshments will be served.

Free Kids' Event: 2nd Annual Be Nice to Bugs Day
2024-07-20 09:00 - 11:00 | FL
Join us with Citrus County Parks and Recreation at the Central Ridge Community Center in Beverly Hills for this fun bugs expo! Just show up! It’s free and there will be loads of activities for kids!
Parks and Recreation has teamed up with Citrus County Mosquito Control for a one-day event to help celebrate “National Be Nice to Bugs Day”!The event will be held at the Central Ridge Community Center on Saturday, July 20th from 9am to 11am.There will be amazing bug exhibits, guest ‘bug’ speakers (aka- Entomologists), a guided bug hunt, and of course some super cool bug crafts for both the young and the young at heart!Registration is appreciated to ensure adequate art supplies but not required.Parents must supervise their young buggies during this event.
Located at 77 Civic Circle Beverly Hills, FL

Free Kids' Back to School Party
2024-08-03 13:00 - 15:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
At the end of summer, on Saturday, August 3rd, help kids celebrate at our Back to School party at The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum! Games and prizes, dancing, and fun! Parental supervision required for the duration of the event. Recommended for kids ages 5 to 11. Spaces are limited so please preregister to reserve your spots by calling the museum office between Tuesday and Saturday at (352) 341-6428. Check in on the first floor of the museum at 1 pm or beforehand on the day of the event.

Free Kids' Event: Terrariums
2024-08-07 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-08-07 13:00 - 14:30 | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
Join The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum’s newest volunteers, AJ and John Boener from A Wild Family, as they present A Mindful Summer Series of free kids’ events at the museum.
This is the second event of the series, “Your Mind is a Garden. What are You Planting?”
The program will take place on Wednesday, August 7th at 10 am and again at 1 pm. Kids will participate in a short story time, and will learn how to create awareness for their thoughts. Then, they’ll create terrariums to remind them at home that their presence and thoughts matter.
Accompanying parents and adults will choose which session you want to participate in and must supervise your children for the duration of the event. It is recommended for children ages 5 to 12. The program will last between 1 and 2 hours. Seats are limited, so please RSVP in advance to reserve yours. Call (352) 341-6428.
——————————–
More background:
In short…..We (John & AJ) met in 2006, & lived in Plymouth, IN at our permaculture-based, educational farm; Luna Hill Farm (Cultivating Community & Celebrating Curiosity) for 10 years, where we raised 4 kids, ran the Luna Hill Wild School (Nuturing Wonder, with Nature), & hosted many community-building events. Away from the farm, John worked as a carpenter & AJ taught various classes throughout the community. We sold the farm in 2022, converted a bus to a RV in 3 1/2 months, then hit the road to travel the US for 6 months. We lived & traveled for over a year in that home-on-wheels; volunteering, exploring, & learning so much!Read more about our story: www.awildfamily.com
