ANNUAL FUND · 2026
Preserve the Past. Engage the Present. Inspire the Future.
What an extraordinary year it has been for the Boca Raton Historical Society and The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum!
In 2026, we welcomed more visitors, reached more students, expanded our programming, strengthened community partnerships, and introduced exciting new ways to discover and experience Boca Raton’s rich history.
From record-breaking fundraising events to exhibitions, educational experiences, community programming, and the launch of our new digital collections, this has been a year of meaningful growth.
None of it would be possible without the generosity of our members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, trustees, and community partners. We are so grateful to have you as part of our story.
Join Executive Director Olivia Hollaus and Board of Trustees President Jesse Cordoba as they reflect on a year of accomplishments, community connections, and memorable moments that made 2026 so special.
Figures reflect January 1 to October 15, 2026.
Community Impact
9,266
Museum visitors
1,168
Students directly reached
899
Free Fun Saturday attendees
66
School tours, guided tours & presentations
2,011.25
Volunteer hours recorded
A Growing Community
411
Active members
135
New members
23
New community members
81%
Year-over-year increase in Boca Bacchanal fundraising
Expanding Our Reach
4,094
New social media followers
2,492
New Instagram followers
1,602
New Facebook followers
“
Behind every number is a person, a story, a connection, or a new appreciation for the community we call home.
Our exhibitions remain at the heart of the Museum experience, inviting visitors to explore the people, places, and events that have shaped Boca Raton.
This year, we showcased three special exhibitions:
01
Celebrating a century of one of our city’s most iconic landmarks.
02
Exploring Florida’s colonial history and its place in the larger American story.
03
A nostalgic journey through the coastal history and culture of Boca Raton.
Our permanent exhibitions continue to tell Boca Raton’s stories, from its pioneer beginnings and the extraordinary vision of Addison Mizner to the Boca Raton Army Air Field during World War II and IBM’s revolutionary role in the development of the personal computer.
Each exhibition offers another opportunity to discover how our city’s past continues to shape its present.
This year, we embraced new technology to make our history more accessible, engaging, and entertaining.
8
We introduced a series of eight short films using archival photographs brought to life through AI-assisted animation. These films offer fresh perspectives on fascinating chapters of Boca Raton’s history.
From the Series
The series combines our historic collections with contemporary storytelling.
Innovation also extended to our digital presence. Over the summer, we launched a completely redesigned website, making it easier than ever to explore exhibitions, register for programs, become a member, and engage with the Boca Raton Historical Society.
And for the first time ever, the Society’s historical collections are available to browse online!
Our new online catalog provides free public access to historic photographs, documents, architectural drawings, books, artifacts, and more.
This important milestone reflects our continued commitment to preserving Boca Raton’s history and making it accessible to researchers, students, residents, and history enthusiasts everywhere.
One of the most exciting developments of 2026 has been the growth and diversification of our community programming.
Monthly · Presented by JM Family Enterprises
Our Free Fun Saturdays have grown into a monthly tradition, welcoming families for free Museum admission, hands-on activities, storytelling, and engaging experiences that introduce our youngest visitors to local history.
America250-Inspired
A wonderful lineup of guest speakers exploring compelling stories, personalities, and historical perspectives connected to our nation’s 250th anniversary.
New Opportunities to Connect at the Museum
With Mahj on the Beach
Bringing players together for lessons, games, and a growing community of Mahjong enthusiasts.
With Mallory Hopes
Inviting participants to enjoy wellness and movement in the unique surroundings of Historic Town Hall.
With the Festival of the Arts Boca
Our popular series celebrated its fifth season with three sold-out concerts combining live music, history, and community.
And we continued finding creative ways to make history interactive and fun through special experiences such as
Mystery at the Museum
Historic Cemetery Walking Tour
The Addison Unveiled · Boca Festival Days
From family adventures and fascinating lectures to music, wellness, and hands-on discovery, our goal remains the same: to create meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to connect with Boca Raton’s history.
Education continues to be one of our most important priorities.
1,168
students directly reached in 2026, sharing Boca Raton’s history through school field trips, classroom presentations, guided tours, and interactive educational experiences.
Our programs bring history beyond the pages of a textbook, helping young people discover the people, places, and events that shaped the community around them.
Through historic photographs, artifacts, storytelling, and hands-on learning, we’re inspiring curiosity and helping the next generation develop a deeper connection to Boca Raton.
The Boca Raton Historical Society is fortunate to have an ever-growing community of members, supporters, and partners who believe in the importance of preserving our shared history.
Our Community Membership program has experienced extraordinary growth, expanding from 7 to 30 members—a 329% increase. These partnerships represent more than financial support. They reflect a shared commitment to strengthening our community, supporting educational opportunities, and preserving the history that makes Boca Raton special.
We are equally grateful to all of our members, whose continued support helps sustain the Museum and its programs throughout the year.
And with more than 2,011 recorded volunteer hours, our dedicated volunteers continue to play an invaluable role in everything we do.
Community Membership
7
30
From 7 to 30 community members
329% increase
2,011+
volunteer hours recorded
2026 was also a remarkable year for our signature fundraising events. Both Boca Bacchanal and Toasts, Tastes & Trolleys achieved record-breaking fundraising results, reflecting the extraordinary generosity of our sponsors, attendees, committee members, and supporters.
81%
Boca Bacchanal alone achieved an impressive year-over-year increase in fundraising.
These celebrations do more than bring our community together for memorable experiences. Their proceeds directly support the Society’s mission, educational initiatives, exhibitions, and preservation efforts.
This year also marks the 30th anniversary of the Walk of Recognition, a cherished tradition honoring the individuals whose leadership, service, and contributions have helped shape Boca Raton.
We are grateful to everyone who helps make these important traditions possible.
Behind every exhibition, research inquiry, and historical discovery is the Boca Raton Historical Society’s extensive collection.
18,000
Historic Images
300
Manuscript Collections
200
Scrapbooks
500
Architectural Drawings
500
Maps
150
Oral Histories
3,000
Three-Dimensional Objects
900
Reference Books
400+
Mizner-Era Furnishings and Decorative Items
Each photograph, artifact, document, and recorded memory represents another piece of Boca Raton’s story. Through careful stewardship, research, exhibitions, and our new online catalog, we are ensuring these invaluable resources remain accessible for generations to come.
LOOKING AHEAD
2027 will be an especially meaningful year as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Historic Town Hall!
1927
Historic Town Hall is built
1984
Becomes home to the Boca Raton Historical Society
2027
Celebrates its 100th anniversary
Centennial
Built in 1927 and home to the Boca Raton Historical Society since 1984, Historic Town Hall is one of our city’s treasured landmarks and the home of The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. For nearly a century, this remarkable building has witnessed Boca Raton’s transformation from a small South Florida community into the vibrant city we know today.
Its centennial presents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only the building itself, but also the generations of residents, civic leaders, families, businesses, and visionaries who have contributed to Boca Raton’s story. We are excited to introduce a special lineup of programs, exhibitions, events, and community initiatives throughout 2027 in recognition of this important milestone.
We’ll continue to explore innovative ways to bring history to life, create meaningful educational experiences, strengthen partnerships, and welcome new audiences to the Museum. There is much to look forward to, and we cannot wait to share it with you!
ANNUAL FUND
As we celebrate the accomplishments of 2026 and look ahead to Historic Town Hall’s centennial, we invite you to be part of what comes next.
Your support of the Boca Raton Historical Society’s Annual Fund helps make possible the exhibitions, educational programs, historical preservation, and community experiences that define our mission.
Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a meaningful difference.
Thank you for helping us preserve the past, engage the present, and inspire the future. We are grateful to have you as part of our story.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 10am - 4pm
Saturday: 10am - 4pm
71 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton, Florida 33432
