The Plantation Historical Museum, located at 511 North Fig Tree Lane in Plantation, offers a dive into local history with its various exhibits. Key attractions include permanent displays on the Tequesta and Seminole Indians, fire and police department memorabilia, and an Everglades diorama. The museum also showcases information about the town’s founding families and hosts temporary exhibits. Originally started in a back room of city hall, the museum opened in 1985 and is now situated near the Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library, within the Botanical Gardens Park.
The museum is currently hosting a Model Train exhibit that is sure to excite all family members.
The Florida Citrus Model Train Society’s display showcases an impressive range of model train layouts, featuring different scales such as G, O, HO, and N. This exhibit is a popular destination for model train enthusiasts and provides a dynamic view of model railroading, with detailed and varied train setups. The displays are designed to highlight different aspects of train systems and the intricacies of railroading, contributing significantly to the museum’s offerings.
The society’s model train display will be on exhibition through the end of September, providing ample opportunity for visitors to explore the detailed and meticulously crafted train setups.
Each day, a different member of the club will run a different train, such as a Thomas the Tank Engine, a Tri-Rail passenger train, a Hogwarts Express, or the classic Santa Fe Grey Goose. The museum is open Wednesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
The museum is managed by th Plantation Historical Society, a nonprofit organization established in 1974 to support the Plantation Historical Museum. The society is committed to preserving and presenting the historical, educational, and cultural resources of Plantation and South Florida. It focuses on community outreach, especially targeting the area’s youth and multicultural residents.
The society organizes various events and fundraisers throughout the year, including the Broward County Plant Affair and an annual flea market, to support the museum’s programs and upkeep. Additionally, they run a gift shop at the museum entrance, selling items like jewelry, art prints, and pottery from local artists, which also helps fund the museum’s activities.