Heritage Day 2026
Saturday, March 28, 2026
9am - 3pm
Location:
120 Sams Avenue & Emory Bennett Park
Free Event
History Harvest
In the Museum
Free 20 minute guided tours of the Museum Gallery
Join our Museum Docents for a 20-30 minute guided tour of the New Smyrna Museum of History and learn about the engaging history of Southeast Volusia County.
9:30AM, 11:45AM, 2:15PM
Free Presentations
Britain's Loyal Colonies Lost
Presentations at 11 AM & 1:30 in the museum
Dr. David Head with UCF shares "Britain's Loyal Colonies Lost, The American Revolution in Florida" As 13 of Britain’s colonies declared independence in 1776, the empire’s Florida colonies, East Florida and West Florida, remained loyal to King George. Eyed by American and Spanish forces alike, the Floridas were soon engulfed in war. This lecture tells the often-overlooked story of Florida in the War of Independence.
*Sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Arts and Culture, the Florida Council on Arts and Culture, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The St. Augustine Royal Family
12 PM in Emory Bennett Park
The Royal Family of St. Augustine is a fully costumed first person portrayal group with 60 years of history portraying the Spanish royal family that was in power at the time the Castillo de San Marcos was built in St. Augustine. The fort played an important role in Florida's early years, providing security and shelter to the residents of St. Augustine, and serving as a place of refuge for the residents along Florida's Northeast coast during Florida's early years.
Dr. Leonard Lempel
"The Origins of Port Orange and the History of Freemanville." Presentations at 10 AM & 12:30 PM in the museum Port Orange began as a freedmen settlement, the brainchild of Dr. John Milton Hawks, a white radical abolitionist from New Hampshire. Don't miss this fascinating look back at the time just after the Civil War and the earliest days of development along Volusia County's East Coast.
A Preservation Journey
Presentations at 10:30 AM & 1 PM in the museum
History was scheduled for demolition, One Man Changed The Ending, watch the award winning documentary film detailing the history of our local New Smyrna Beach Woman's Club produced by the New Smyrna Beach Residents Coalition and KingStar Film Works. Screening at 10:30 AM & 1 PM in the museum.
Activities
Exhibits
Kids Area
- Volusia County Safety
History Harvest
- Bring in photos, newspaper articles, letters, or even small objects and have them digitally preserved
Our Sponsors
Advent Health
Buddy Davenport State Farm
Chick-Fil-A
City of New Smyrna Beach
Dairy Queen
Hometown News
Mark Rakowski, The Keyes Company
New Smyrna Beach Utilities Commission
Riches Mosaic Interface™️
Volusia County
Volusia Echo
