An exhibit anticipating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence will be displayed at Bartow Civic Plaza, adjacent to the Polk County History Center in downtown Bartow.
The Polk County History Center is teaming with the City of Bartow and the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency to introduce the outdoor walking tour and exhibit to celebrate the anniversary, which will occur on July 4, 2026.
A dedication of Polk County’s exhibit, “One Nation, Many Stories: Polk County,” will be held Sept. 17 at 4 p.m. at the Bartow Civic Plaza, 200 E. Davidson St. It will feature greetings and a welcome from the partners; a history presentation with J. Lenora Bresler, entitled “Their Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor”; and a ceremonial bell ringing to celebrate the U.S. Constitution.
“One Nation, Many Stories: Polk County” will consist of 16 lamppost banners, each with unique thematic elements and vibrant colors and 16 digital exhibitions, each expanding on the thematic elements represented by the banner and including visual elements such as historic images and a variety of video content, Polk County said in a news release.
The exhibit also includes a timeline that specifically celebrates “America250” and prompts visitors to theorize how they will leave a mark on American history.
“This is a great way to commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” Myrtice Young, historic preservation manager at the History Center, said in the release. “The Bartow Civic Plaza draws visitors for picnics and relaxation on a daily basis, and ‘One Nation, Many Stories: Polk County’ will allow us to bring a little bit of history to people outside the History Center’s walls. People will be able to soak up the sun and some history.”