Desoto County Historical Society

Discover History in Downtown Arcadia. Let's Go on a Scavenger Hunt!
2023-04-29 10:30 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | FL

Celebrate Earth Day!
2023-04-22 10:30 - 13:00 | DeSoto County Library, 125 N. Hillsborough Ave., Arcadia, FL, 34255, United States

19th Annual Pioneer Day & BBQ
2023-03-25 09:00 - 15:00 | Turner Agri-Civic Center, 2250 NE Roan St., Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States

Member Meeting: Monday, March 20 – DMH - McSwain Room
2023-03-20 11:00 - 13:00 | DeSoto Memorial Hospital – McSwain Room, 900 N Robert Ave., Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States

Thursday, February 16, 2023 – Monthly Meeting
2023-02-16 11:00 - 13:00 | DeSoto Memorial Hospital – McSwain Room, 900 N Robert Ave., Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
We hope to see you at our February 16 meeting at DeSoto Memorial Hospital in the McSwain Room. Meeting will begin at noon; arrive early and purchase a meal (or not) before the meeting. Enter the main hospital entrance and sign in as a visitor.
Dr. Sharon Goodman will talk about her life from Smith-Brown days to serving on the School Board.
Using a digital calendar? Set a reminder for the THIRD THURSDAY of every month for Historical Society meetings!

Thursday, January 12, 2023 – Monthly Meeting
2023-01-12 11:30 - 13:00 | Family Service Center Annex, N. Orange Ave. and Effie St., Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
Bring a lunch and visit at 11:30 p.m., we will provide beverages and desserts. PROGRAM at NOON
President Norma Banas will lead a short business meeting, followed by introduction of our guest speaker, Nancy Erickson. An outstanding athlete, Nancy had already been hired to direct Arcadia’s Recreation Department when she had a chance to try out for the Toledo Troopers. The City of Arcadia held the job for her until she played her first and only season. She will have copies of a new book about the team, We Are the Troopers: The Women of the Winningest Team in Pro Football History, by Stephen Guinan, to sell & sign after she tells us more about this amazing team, and her work here in Arcadia. The Education Amendments of 1972 commonly known as Title IX helped Nancy to start girls sports teams of all kinds in Arcadia. Many will remember Nancy as the H & R Block representative in town.

Holiday Tour of Historic Homes & Buildings - CANCELLED
2022-12-10 16:00 - 20:00 | Tree of Knowledge Park, W Oak St & US 17 South, Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
The DeSoto County Historical Society regrets the cancellation of our Annual Holiday Tour of Historic Homes and Buildings on Dec.10 because of damage by Hurricane Ian. Please join us next year for this wonderful and festive exploration of some of Arcadia’s historic treasures.

December 8, 2022 - Monthly Meeting
2022-12-08 11:30 - 13:30 | Heritage Baptist Church, 27 N Polk Avenue, Arcadia, FL, 27 N Polk Avenue, Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
DeSoto County Historical Society invites you to our December monthly meeting…
Thursday, December 8, 2022
Join us for a potluck meal at Heritage Baptist Church in their fellowship hall at 11:30 a.m.

Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration
2022-12-07 10:00 - 10:30 | 1924 Peace River Bridge, 2195 American Legion Dr, Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
DeSoto County Historical Society invites you to attend our Pearl Harbor Day Commemoration on Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at 10 a.m., on the 1924 Peace River Bridge, (now a pedestrian bridge). Parking at DeSoto Veterans Memorial Park, 2195 American Legion Drive. If you require a chair, please feel free to bring one.

2022 Chamber Christmas Parade
2022-12-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Trinity Methodist Church, 304 W. Oak Street, Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
Walk with us in the Christmas Parade! Or sit on the sidelines and cheer us on! Line up will be in the vicinity of Trinity Methodist Church by 5:30 p.m.

November Member Meeting - NEW DATE - Nov 17
2022-11-17 11:30 - 13:30 | Pine Level United Methodist Church, 9596 NW Pine Level St, Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
We have postponed our meeting as we wait on Hurricane Nicole. New date is Thursday, Nov 17. Tour the new “archives” room at Pine Level United Methodist Church containing church records plus a time-line about the congregation. Learn about the history of Pine Level itself, especially the archaeology that Jana Futch completed and our application to list the 40-acre Pine Level townsite in the National Register of Historic Places. Lunch will be pot luck in their fellowship hall—bring a dish to share. The congregation will be joining us as well and contributing to the lunch.

9th Annual Fall Rodeo
2022-10-15 - 2022-10-16 | Mosaic Arena, 2450 NE Roan St, Arcadia, 34266, United States
Ready to see the best professional rodeo entertainment with top-notch competitive athletes and some of the most unruly bucking bulls and broncs in the country? With action-packed Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Roping, Bull Riding, and more, it’s a show to get the whole family hoopin’ and hollerin’!
Join us at the Mosaic Arena in Arcadia, Florida on Saturday, October 15 and Sunday, October 16 for the Grand Daddy of ‘Em All.
GATES OPEN AT 11 A.M.
PRE-SHOW BEGINS AT 1 P.M.
MAIN SHOW BEGINS AT 2 P.M.
​TICKET PRICING:
Premium Plus – $50.00
Premium – $45.00
Bleacher – $30.00

October Member Meeting
2022-10-13 11:30 - 13:30 | Joshua Citrus Grove Stand, 4135 CR 760, Arcadia, Florida, 34266
The Shelfer family will host the meeting at their grove stand! They will give a presentation about the history of the Shelfer family, their groves, and their business. Details on lunch arrangements TBA.

A Picnic at the Museum
2022-05-19 16:30 - 18:30 | John Morgan Ingraham House Museum, 300 N Monroe Ave., Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
To celebrate National Historic Preservation Month and the 135th Anniversary of the Founding of DeSoto County.

FREE Museum tour
Picnic
Scavenger Hunt

Family Fun Event

Hands on History
2022-05-03 14:30 - 17:00 | John Morgan Ingraham House Museum, 300 N Monroe Ave., Arcadia, FL, 34266, United States
Our Suncoast Remake Learning Day will be here before you know it. Tuesday, May 3 is the date, 2:30 to 5 p.m. is the time. Ever wondered how pioneers did things in the past? Check out our Suncoast Remake Learning Days Outdoor Learning event & explore what life was like for the early settlers of DeSoto County! We will have several hands-on activities set up on the museum grounds. We thank The Patterson Foundation for giving us this opportunity to participate along with other communities in our area.

Arcadia All-Florida Rodeo
2022-03-10 - 2022-03-13 | Mosaic Arena, 2450 NE Roan St, Arcadia, 34266, United States
Known as “The Granddaddy of ‘Em All” the
​Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo is

Florida’s Oldest & Favorite Rodeo
drawing top athletes from all over the nation to compete in events such as Bareback Bronc Riding, Barrel Racing, Bull Riding, and more.
