Old Courthouse Heritage Museum

New Exhibit: artOasis presents Of Poems and Pieces: Haiku and Art to Open Your Heart
2022-04-02 16:00 - 2022-05-28 16:00 (America/New_York) | Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL, 34450, United States
The newest rotating exhibit at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum features the return of ArtOasis, a talented group of local artists using poetry and literature to inspire their work.
Opening to the public on Saturday, April 2, 2022 – May 28, 2022 at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, is our latest rotating exhibit Of Poems and Pieces: Haiku Art to Open Your Heart. Put together entirely by local artist group, ArtOasis, this exhibit will showcase a variety of artistic mediums, both 2D and 3D, inspired by the simple, but beautiful Japanese poetry form, haiku.
Haiku is a type of short-form Japanese poetry consisting of three phrases or lines, with a syllable pattern of 5 – 7 – 5. Traditionally, haiku focuses on the beauty of nature and often contains references to specific seasons or times of year. Modern haiku is written in many languages and has expanded the topics to cover many diverse experiences. Enjoy a contemplative walk through this gallery exhibition that will make you think about how you see the world around you.
Meet the artists themselves, Susan Strawbridge, Joi Sampsell, Brenda Spilios, Joy Livingston, Chris Randle, Jeanneine Cole, Ann Covington, Jim Davis, and Michele Wirt, at a special opening reception to be held on Saturday, April 2 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the museum. The reception is free, open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.
artOasis and the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum will also hold a special family activity for the museum’s new Kid’s Corner and Crafternoon program on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 1:00 p.m to 3:00 p.m. These amazing local artists, many of them art educators, will lead children in a poetry-writing activity and then create paper lilies. Kids can make a single flower for someone special or create a whole spring bouquet! Materials will be provided. Please pre-register for this free program online at www.cccourthouse.org or by calling the museum at 352-341-6428.

Coffee and Conversations: Chucochatti, Conflict at the Red Town, 1836
2022-04-07 19:00 - 21:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents Coffee and Conversations on Thursday, April 7, 2022. Free Events! Join the audience in person or online on YouTube at: tinyurl.com/courthousemuseum Please pre-register by phone at (352) 341-6428 or online at www.cccourthouse.org. Special thanks to our sponsor, The Citrus County Chronicle!

Thursday, April 7th at 7 pm: Sean Norman
“Chucochatti, Conflict at the Red Town, 1836” Established in 1767, Chucochatti was among the oldest Seminole villages located in Central Florida. Founded by Upper Creek migrants from Central Alabama, Chucochatti was unique for being a Muskogee-speaking village in predominantly Miccosukee-speaking region. Weakened by raids in the decades before the 2nd Seminole War (1835-1842), the residents largely conceded to removal to the Arkansas Territory. Despite the village’s abandonment, the Chucochatti area was a focal point of General Scott’s 1836 campaign and repeatedly reoccupied by Seminoles during the war. This presentation discusses the recent historical and archaeological investigations conducted by the Gulf Archaeology Research Institute to document evidence of the villages of Chucochatti and the U.S. military actions in the region.

CCHS Monthly Board Meeting
2022-04-12 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-05-10 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-06-14 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-07-12 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-08-09 17:30 - 19:00, 2022-09-13 17:30 - 19:00
The Citrus County Historical Society is a non-profit 501(c)3 dedicated to the preservation and protection of the history of Citrus County.
Board meetings are held monthly on the second Tuesday of the month, starting at 5:30 p.m. at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum unless otherwise specified.

Kids' Scavenger Hunt in the Museum
2022-04-16 10:00 - 16:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a Free Kids’ Scavenger Hunt in the Museum. Hunts Begin at: 10:00 am 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm
at 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450. Pre-register by April 13th. Each Team of 4 Needs a Smart Phone or Tablet. Teams That Finish Will Receive Trophies! For more info, or to sign up, call
the museum at (352) 341-6428.

Music at the Museum: Hits of the Decades with Craig Singleton
2022-04-21 18:00 - 21:00
The Music at the Museum Concert Series is one of Citrus County’s best-kept secrets. Hosted in the gorgeous second-floor courtroom of the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum, where Elvis Presley was filmed in the courtroom scene of the movie Follow That Dream, these concerts will blow you away.
Craig Singleton and his band are filling up the Historic Courthouse with all your favorite tunes from the 60s, 70s, and 80s.
*Doors open at 6 PM and the concert starts at 7 PM*
All shows take place at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum located at 1 Courthouse Square, Inverness, FL 34450

FREE Kids' Corner and Crafternoons
2022-05-07 13:00 - 15:00
On Saturday, May 7th -the day before Mother’s Day- a group of local women artists by the name of artOasis will lead children ages 5 and up in a craft project as part of these ongoing Kids’ Corner and Crafternoons to write haiku poems and design paper lilies. Younger children are welcome, but they may require additional help from their grownups. The artOasis group currently has an exhibit in the museum showcasing their art entitled, “Of Poems and Pieces: Haiku and Art to Open Your Heart,” full of works inspired by the Japanese poetry. The children’s program will be hosted between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm. Families should pre-register for this event by calling the museum at (352) 341-6428.

FREE "Games on Your Feet" for Kids
2022-05-21 13:00 - 15:00
On Saturday, May 21st, Kids’ Corner and Crafternoons will include “Games on Your Feet,” a 2-hour session between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm when staff will facilitate kids playing interactive games inside the historic courtroom. Games will be accessible to all and will include Red Light/Green Light, Freeze Dance, and of course, Night at the Museum among others. Children must be supervised by their grownups for each of these programs. Please pre-register prior to the event as space may fill up. Call (352) 341-6428.

Masterpiece at the Museum: A Date Night is canceled
2022-05-28 18:30 - 21:30
Our guided painting date night planned for May 28th is canceled due to low attendance, but stay tuned- we will organize another one!

Saturday, May 28, 2022: You and your partner can create a masterpiece at the museum. The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum is hosting a date night with wine and a guided painting activity. Patrons will be able to follow along step by step with an instructor and a projector screen to create a picture of a hot air balloon in multiple colors. Some local history of hot air balloons will also be presented by museum staff.

Tickets for Masterpiece in the Museum are $50 per couple and include after-hours access to the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum exhibits between 6:30 and 7:30 pm, appetizers, and open tabled seating. A cash bar is available with $4.00 glasses of wine, which helps support fundraising efforts. Doors open at 6:30 pm and the painting activity will be held from 7:30 to 9:30 pm.

New Exhibit: Savoring the Sunshine State: Florida Cookbooks
2022-06-01 - 2022-07-31
Savoring the Sunshine State: Florida Cookbooks
Explore Florida food ways and our state’s rich culinary history this summer! Savoring the Sunshine State: Florida Cookbooks, will let guests explore an impressive collection of cookbooks from throughout Florida’s history, from famous classics such as Cross Creek Cookery by Florida’s beloved Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings to hand-written family recipe books that have been handed down over generations.

FREE Kids' Storytime at the Museum
2022-06-04 13:00 - 15:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a FREE Kids’ Corner and Crafternoons event, “Books and Bananas.” Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. This is a Storytime about gardening, food, and chefs and kids will learn to prepare a banana snack. Check out our Florida cookbooks exhibit on your visit. Call (352) 341-6428 to pre-register.

Turtle Trek- A Kids' Nature Walk at Cooter Pond
2022-06-18 10:00 - 10:30
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents “Turtle Trek”- a FREE Kids’ Nature Walk at Cooter Pond. Binoculars provided. Saturday, June 18, 2022. Meet at 10:00 am at the museum at 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450. Please pre-register by calling the museum at (352) 341-6428.

Free Family Board Game Day
2022-07-02 13:00 - 16:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a FREE Family Board Game Day in the museum on Saturday, July 2, 2022 between 1:00 and 4:00 pm. Available games will include Chess, Checkers, Citrusopoly (the Citrus County Monopoly), Ticket to Ride (a strategic game about trains) and Timeline (a history game consisting of guessing and learning the order of events in history). Staff will be there to facilitate learning of games that are new to kids and families. Children must be supervised by adults they come with. The event will be held inside the historic courtroom. To sign up, call (352) 341-6428.

Coffee and Conversations: Gary Mormino on Foods That Define Florida with a Tasting
2022-07-07 18:00 - 20:30
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents our free community lecture, Coffee and Conversations. This July, we’ll host Gary Mormino who will speak about Foods That Define Florida along with a tasting of related foods. What foods define the Sunshine State? Caldo Gallego, gazpacho, or black bean soup? Key Lime or sweet potato pie? Was the Cuban sandwich invented in Tampa but perfected in Miami? How does one explain the rise of the grouper sandwich? What has happened to our once vaunted oyster industry? Did Georgia, the Carolinas, and Texas simply export its barbecue here or does Florida have its own BBQ heritage? All these questions and more form the basis of a lively discussion on Florida Foodways. Gary R. Mormino is an American historian, author, frequent contributor to the Tampa Bay Times, the Frank E. Duckwall Professor of History Emeritus and past director of the Florida Studies Program at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg.

Free Kids' Storytime at the Museum: "Florida Animals"
2022-07-16 13:00 - 15:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a FREE Kids’ Corner and Crafternoons event, “Florida animals” Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. This is a Storytime about animals that are ancient, native and nonnative to Florida. Kids will learn how to make related arts and crafts. Call (352) 341-6428 to pre-register.

Citrus County Historical Society's Members Only Mixer
2022-07-20 18:30 - 20:30
Join Citrus County Historical Society’s Members Only Mixer! Get tidbits on local history! Snacks and beverages!
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 6:30 pm The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450
For info, or to become a member: (352) 341-6428 www.cccourthouse.org

Free Kids' Corner and Crafternoons: "Fun with Fruit"
2022-07-23 10:00 - 13:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents a FREE Kids’ Corner and Crafternoons event: “Fun with Fruit.” Our guest hosts from Citrus County Extensions Services will teach kids ages 5 and up how to make a locally sourced, healthy snack, and kids will learn the history and importance of citrus and other fruit in Citrus County. Choose between two sessions that each last one hour beginning at 10 am or 12 noon. Please pre-register by calling (352) 341-6428.

New Exhibit: Clyde Butcher America the Beautiful
2022-08-05 10:00 - 2022-10-31 16:00
This collection celebrates the beauty of the American landscape from the Redwood forests of California to the Everglade swamps of Florida. Clyde majestically captures the public natural lands set aside by the Federal and State governments for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
Clyde’s images of these treasured landscapes document the changing environment, capturing what is there today and encouraging us to enjoy the beauty of nature. Clyde’s images speak for countless diverse places of wilderness and respite found throughout all of America, allowing us an appreciation of our land.
“Clyde represents what we hope all great artists of our country hold true in their work: the responsibility of communicating the goodness of our world through the arts. Moreover, he has used his photographs as learning tools to inspire others, sharing his concern for our limited resources and endangered habitats” –Jimmy Carter, Former President of the United States

Free Kids' Scavenger Hunt in the Museum
2022-08-06 10:00 - 16:00
It’s back by popular demand! The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents another FREE Kids’ Scavenger Hunt in the Museum! Saturday, August 6, 2022.
Hunts Begin at: 10:00 am, 12:00 pm & 2:00 pm
at 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450
Free Event! Pre-register by August 3rd. Each Family Team Needs 1 Smart Phone or Tablet. Winning Teams Will Receive Trophies! For more info, or to sign up, call (352) 341-6428.

*SOLD OUT* An Evening with Clyde Butcher
2022-08-11 17:00 - 20:00
Join Clyde for a lecture on Thursday, August 11 at the Old Courthouse Heritage Museum. Citrus County Historical Society members can enjoy a special member’s only signing and meet and greet with Clyde from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A public book signing will run from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with the lecture starting at 7:00 p.m. Clyde’s America the Beautiful exhibit will be displayed at the museum from August 5 – October 31.
Clyde’s America the Beautiful exhibit celebrates the beauty of the American landscape from the Redwood forests of California to the Everglade swamps of Florida. Clyde majestically captures the public natural lands set aside by the Federal and State governments for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of future generations. Clyde’s images of these treasured landscapes document the changing environment, capturing what is there today and encouraging us to enjoy the beauty of nature. Clyde’s images speak for countless diverse places of wilderness and respite found throughout all of America, allowing us to appreciate our land.
Sponsored in part by the Inverness Cultural Heritage Council, a local branch of the Citrus County Historical Society and Keep Citrus County Beautiful. Check out https://www.facebook.com/kccbinc to find out how you can get keep Citrus County beautiful and get involved in the 27th Annual Save Our Waters Week events!
Tickets
Members $10.00
Future Members $15.00

Music at the Museum: Richie Santa as Elvis
2022-08-18 18:00 - 21:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents: Richie Santa as Elvis!
In our historic courtroom where Elvis filmed “Follow That Dream” in 1961.
Thursday, August 18, 2022. Museum reopens at 6:00 pm. Show begins at 7:00 pm.
$25 tickets include:
-Access to museum galleries
-Appetizers and soft drinks
There will also be a cash bar.
1 Courthouse Square
Inverness, FL 34450
For reservations, call (352) 341-6428
or visit https://cccourthouse.org/product/music-at-the-museum-richie-santa-as-elvis/

Free Kids' Corner and Crafternoons: Crafting with Cameras
2022-08-20 13:00 - 15:00
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents our FREE Kids’ Corner and Crafternoons event, “Crafting with Cameras,” on Saturday, August 20, 2022. Arts and crafts session will take place between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm in the historic courtroom on the second floor of the museum. Children 5 and up can learn to make a pinhole camera out of cardboard that actually works! Sign up in advance by calling the museum at (352) 341-6428. 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450.

Free Coffee and Conversations: College Football Tribes of Florida
2022-09-01 19:00 - 20:30
FREE Coffee and Conversations Community Lecture! Diane Roberts on Clean, Old-Fashioned Hatred: The College Football Tribes of Florida
Free coffee, soft drinks and light refreshments will be served.

The cultural importance of football in Florida, from the aftermath of the Civil War to the multi-million dollar machine which shapes higher education in the state. Why do so many of us care so much about a bunch of refrigerator-sized boys knocking into each other on a green field? In Florida, as in most of the South and Midwest, college football has never been “only a game.” Diane Roberts is a professor of English. She specializes in Southern culture and is an author, columnist, essayist, radio commentator and reviewer. She earned her doctorate at Oxford University.

Turtle Trek: A Free Kids' Nature Walk at Cooter Pond
2022-09-03 10:00 - 11:30
The Old Courthouse Heritage Museum presents “Turtle Trek”- a FREE Kids’ Nature Walk at Cooter Pond. Binoculars provided. Saturday, September 3, 2022. Meet at 10:00 am at the museum at 1 Courthouse Square Inverness, FL 34450. Parental supervision required. Please pre-register by calling the museum at (352) 341-6428. Our Saturday programs for children coincide with the Farmer’s Market at the Depot in Downtown Inverness.

Free Kids' Murder Mystery at the Museum
2022-09-17 10:00 - 16:00
Free Murder Mystery at the Museum for Kids! Sessions begin at 10 am, 12 pm, and 2 pm. Limited spaces. Choose a session and pre-register at (352) 341-6428. Clues will be hidden around the museum to solve a whodunnit mystery, complete with historical figures! Winners will receive prizes. Children must be supervised by their accompanying adults for the duration of the event. Our children’s events on first and third Saturdays coincide with the Farmer’s Market at The Depot in Downtown Inverness.

Free Coffee and Conversations: Photographer Gary Kuhl Discusses Saving Our Waters
2022-09-24 15:00 - 16:00
Local wildlife photographer and water champion, Gary Kuhl, to speak at this years Save Our Water’s Week finale program. Gary will give a presentation on Florida’s Water Resources: We are Losing Them! Through his photography and background in water resources, Gary Kuhl will discuss problems and potential solutions pertaining to Florida and Citrus County water issues. Register today to learn how you can make a difference. Please call (352) 341-6428 to sign up or register at the event link below.
