PALM HARBOR MUSEUM PRESENTS Jerald Beverland with The History of Oldsmar

PALM HARBOR MUSEUM PRESENTS: MAY 1, 2024

On Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at 6:30 PM at The Palm Harbor Library Community Room (first door on the right at front entrance of library) at 2330 Nebraska Ave., Palm Harbor, FL 34683, Palm Harbor Museum Presents former longtime Mayor of Oldsmar, Jerald Beverland, with The History of Oldsmar—Where it Started, Who Started It, How it Started, and Why. You'll discover so much about this land in upper Pinellas County, its ancient settlement and the early 20th century dream of Ransom E. Olds (automobile pioneer of Oldsmobile) that brought about the foundations of this city. Discover the triumphs and tragedies of the town that became the City of Oldsmar that have led to its transformation over the course of the 20th century to its notable innovations and character today. This program is open to all at no charge at Palm Harbor Library's Community Room. Donations are gratefully accepted.

To say that Jerald Beverland is passionate about all things Oldsmar would be quite the understatement! Beverland served a combined 28 years as an Oldsmar council member and mayor since 1970 and has authored four books on the city’s history. Archaeological digs in this region show settlement dating from the Archaic period (c. 8000 to 1000 BC). A first modern city came into shape when Ransom E. Olds, founder of Oldsmobile, purchased 37,547 acres of land in upper Tampa Bay and, with architects and city planners, began to design and build the new town first called Olds-on-the-Bay, then Oldsmar. The 1921 north Pinellas hurricane hit the area hard, and the land boom of the early 1920s turned to bust. Though Olds had envisioned a city of 100,000, his $4.5+ million investment yielded a population of some 200 when he fully divested himself of the land in 1926. The town was renamed Tampa Shores in 1927 after a land sale fraud scandal with the developer who followed Olds, but in 1937 took back its name of Oldsmar. Today's Oldsmar, with its population of some 15,000, celebrates its history with its Spring Festival of parades, car shows, and carnival rides. The city today is the site of the home office of Nielsen Media Research as well Lockheed Martin. The Oldsmar Historical Society lovingly preserves the city's past and its fascinating journey through the 20th century.

We are delighted to feature Jerald Beverland and The Oldsmar Historical Society as part of Palm Harbor Museum's 40th year speaker series, OUR NEIGHBORS IN PRESERVATION, featuring members of our own Palm Harbor community and representatives from our local historical societies of Pinellas County to speak on the passions and contributions of that local community. Each of our historical societies—Tarpon Springs, Dunedin, Oldsmar, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, Largo and all of our county communities—seeks to preserve the distinctive history of its own community while uniting with the goal of preserving our unique Tampa Bay and Florida heritage.

RSVPs are not required — but do help us plan. We would be grateful if you reserve your spot from this page.

There is no charge to attend and all are welcome (Donations are gratefully accepted).

There is plenty of free parking at Palm Harbor Library, which is wheelchair accessible and requires no steps to enter. Disabled parking spaces by front entrance.

Open seating for this event. We recommend you arrive early, especially for seats closer to the front—or email palmharbormuseum@outlook.com to request that we hold front seats for you.

Join us at Palm Harbor Library on May 1, 2024 at 6:30 PM for Palm Harbor Museum Presents Jerald Beverland with The History of Oldsmar—Where it Started, Who Started It, How it Started, and Why.

Visit https://www.palmharbormuseum.com/