Pinellas County Heritage Village & Historical Museum

One of the big things Heritage Village cares about is keeping the culture and history of Pinellas County alive. Every exhibit tells a different piece of the story—agriculture, coastal life, business, transportation—you get the idea. Take the McKay Creek Boat Shop, for example. That spot celebrates Clark Mills, the local boatbuilder whose Optimist Pram changed sailing for good. Then there’s the Turner Bungalow Collections Exhibit, which is basically a time capsule. It’s a carefully restored Craftsman house from 1915, packed with over 5,000 personal items from one of Clearwater’s early families.

The place isn’t just about looking at old stuff behind glass. All year, Heritage Village throws special events and live demonstrations, so you actually get to see how things were made and done back in the day—blacksmithing, woodworking, churning out sugar cane syrup, and a bunch of other hands-on skills. You can really feel what life was like for the first folks who settled here. The Village teams up with local history groups, too, so the exhibits keep changing. There’s always something new to check out, even if you’ve been before. Don’t forget to check out this place in Largo too.

Everyone’s welcome at Heritage Village, and admission doesn’t cost a thing. Families, school kids, history buffs, tourists—they all find something to love. There’s a visitor center with exhibits that rotate in and out, the Roy Helms Gallery with special collections, and plenty of free parking. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 to 4, and Sunday from 1 to 4. Just don’t show up on a county holiday—they’re closed.

But honestly, Heritage Village is about more than just saving old buildings. It keeps the stories of the people who built Pinellas County alive. When you walk through the houses and check out the artifacts, you start to understand the grit, creativity, and sense of community that shaped this place from a wild peninsula into the lively county it is now.

Really, visiting Pinellas County Heritage Village & Historical Museum feels like taking a step back in time. It’s a place where people can connect with their roots, celebrate what makes this area special, and feel a real sense of pride in local history. Whether you’re drawn in by the old architecture, the cool exhibits, or the hands-on experiences, Heritage Village is all about sharing the story of this unique corner of Florida. If you are looking for a HVAC contractor, click here.