HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF BAY COUNTY
January, 2026 The Smithsonian is Coming to Town
The Smithsonian Institute and the Florida Humanities have collaborated to initiate a exhibition program that instructs hometown museums in how to present high-quality exhibitions that meet standards set by the Smithsonian. Our local Bay County History Museum was one of ten Florida Museums selected to participate in this Smithsonian sanctioned program, entitled FOOD. Opening in January of 2026, this new display will explore how food is interwoven into our daily lives and portray how our food culture has changed over the years. Subtitled BAYSIDE BOUNTY, "The Culinary Heritage of Bay County," this exhibit will illustrate how Bay County and the panhandle region have a very rich history and a distinct food culture. The Culinary Heritage of Bay County will focus on our local food culture with many historical photos and lots of authentic artifacts.
The display will be very large and take up the greater portion of our floor space. Displayed throughout will be many antique implements, including, a depression-era kitchen. In the arena of artifacts, HSBC will seek the participation of local residents.
HSBC Will Soon Host an Antique "Road Show"
Later this summer, HSBC will present an opportunity for area residents to participate in our efforts to produce the Smithsonian FOOD Exhibition. HSBC will host a reception where we will seek the loan of old kitchen or food related artifacts. We would like to record oral histories of how old can-openers, milk bottles and similar kitchen items were handed down to your family. We will include as many items as possible in BAYSIDE BOUNTY, "The Culinary Heritage of Bay County." Look for more details coming soon on our Face Book page: https://www.facebook.com/people/Bay-County-Historical-Society/100064832432522/