Donations

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A heartfelt thank you to all our friends of the Museum who continue to support this special piece of Florida history. The Lake Wales History Museum depends on the generous support of our community to fulfill our mission of preserving and sharing the rich heritage of Lake Wales and the surrounding region.

Your donations are the driving force behind everything we do—helping us offer engaging educational programs and exhibits, develop memorable tours and events, and care for the unique artifacts and stories that make up our collection.

There are many ways you can support the Lake Wales History Museum. Discover opportunities to become a member, sponsor a program, or volunteer with us!

Support The Legacy

Join us in ushering in a new era of historic preservation at the Lake Wales History Museum with the Mimi Hardman Legacy Fund. Celebrating our first milestone, the restoration of the 1916 Seaboard Airline Freight Station, we have successfully transformed this historic site into the Mimi Hardman Collections and Research Center. This facility not only safeguards our valuable collections but also offers public access and honors our founder, Mimi Hardman, having opened its doors on January 23, 2021.

The dedication of this center also marked the launch of the Mimi Hardman Legacy Fund, a crucial initiative aimed at ensuring the ongoing preservation and care of our collections and historic sites. Contributions to this fund support vital projects, such as the development of an Internship Program to maintain and enhance our museum collections, which include an array of artifacts from military uniforms and Victorian quilts to historic maps and local artwork. Additionally, the fund will enable the restoration and opening of the historic Stuart House as a museum, offering interpretive exhibits that delve into the lives of the Stuart family and the broader Lake Wales community.

By donating to the Mimi Hardman Legacy Fund, you not only help preserve the rich history of Lake Wales but also support educational opportunities for local students through the Mimi Hardman Scholarship. This scholarship aids high school seniors in Lake Wales achieve their educational ambitions, fostering the next generation of community leaders. We invite you to be a part of this transformative journey—every donation, no matter the size, plays a crucial role in continuing our mission to save and celebrate our history. Thank you for your generosity and commitment to preserving the legacy of Lake Wales.

Donate to Collection

Enhance our collections by donating items that resonate with our mission to collect, preserve, and share the heritage of Lake Wales. We carefully review each donation offer to ensure it aligns with our mission and adds value to our existing collections. Interested donors are required to fill out a submission form for the initial review process.

Donation Process: The Lake Wales History Museum values your interest in contributing to our collections. Due to our commitment to maintaining a focused and relevant collection, we ask that all prospective donors submit a detailed form, initiating the review process by our collections staff. While we appreciate every offer of donation, please note that:

  • Drop-off donations are not accepted; all potential donations must be submitted through the provided form.

  • IRS laws prohibit museum staff and volunteers from providing appraisals for donated items. It is the responsibility of the donor to determine the value of their donated materials for tax purposes.

  • For all artifact donations, please contact collections@lakewaleshistory.org.

Instructions for Donating: Please complete the provided form with detailed information about your item(s).