Celebrating 100 Years: Boca Raton Historical Society Announces A Dynamic 2025 Boca Raton Centennial Program!
Exhibits, Talks, Events, and More to Honor Boca Raton’s Centennial Milestone
BOCA RATON, FL The City of Boca Raton’s 100th anniversary in 2025 promises to be a year to remember. The Boca Raton Historical Society (BRHS) leads the celebration with an exciting lineup of programs, keepsakes, and events designed to honor the city’s legacy and engage the community. From in-depth historical exhibits to hands-on educational programs and compelling speaker series, the centennial calendar is packed with activities that will delight residents and visitors alike.
“This centennial year is an extraordinary opportunity to connect our community with its rich history,” said Mary Csar, Executive Director of the Boca Raton Historical Society. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this milestone through programs that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of Boca Raton’s heritage.”
Major Exhibition: Exploring Boca Raton’s Storied Past
Boca Raton 1925-2025: Addison Mizner’s Legacy
Through May 30, 2025
This multimedia exhibit highlights the visionary work of Addison Mizner, whose architecture and urban planning transformed Boca Raton into a world-class resort destination. Hosted at the Schmidt Boca Raton Museum, the exhibit showcases Mizner’s influence on the city’s evolution over the last century.
Educational Initiatives: Inspiring Future Generations
Centennial Trunks: 1925-2025
Designed for fourth-grade classrooms, this program brings Boca Raton’s history to life with hands-on materials and activities. Sponsored by JM Family Enterprises and supported by the Deerfield Beach Historical Society, Centennial Trunks will reach schools throughout Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach, sparking curiosity about the city’s fascinating past.
Traveling Exhibit: Boca Raton’s History – A Timeline
This portable exhibit, free to loan, features three pull-up banners showcasing key moments in Boca Raton’s development. Ideal for schools, libraries, corporations, and community centers, it offers a unique look at the city’s milestones.
Special Events & Programs
Free Fun Saturdays: Centennial Edition
Held on the first Saturday of each month at the Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum, Free Fun Saturdays offer family-friendly activities, free admission, and the chance to explore Boca Raton’s history in engaging ways. Each month, children and families can enjoy an interactive craft activity tied to the city’s centennial theme, led by local artist and author Michelle Sherman.
Craft activity begins at 2:00 p.m., but families are welcome to visit anytime between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to enjoy the museum’s exhibits and learn more about Boca Raton’s fascinating history.
Upcoming:
- Saturday, January 4, 2025: Craft Activity – Design Your Dream City
Taking inspiration from Addison Mizner, the visionary architect and city planner who shaped Boca Raton’s early development, children will have the opportunity to channel their creativity by designing their own dream city. Using provided art supplies, participants can sketch layouts that include green spaces, parks, waterways, or unique landmarks.
Centennial Speakers Bureau: Centennial Talks
In honor of Boca Raton’s 100th anniversary, the Boca Raton Historical Society is proud to introduce Centennial Talks, a series of free 30-minute presentations for community groups. These engaging talks will explore various aspects of Boca Raton’s rich history, offering insights into the city’s growth, milestones, and cultural heritage.
Available by request, these presentations are designed to connect audiences with the fascinating story of Boca Raton while celebrating its centennial. While the talks are complimentary, donations to support the Historical Society’s mission are always appreciated.
2025 Town Hall Talks
The beloved Town Hall Talks series returns with a fresh lineup of evening lectures exploring Boca Raton’s centennial and the broader themes of “America 250,” the upcoming commemoration of the United States’ 250th anniversary. Sponsored by the Charles and Elsie Gols Charitable Foundation, this series features notable speakers presenting on topics such as the Florida Land Boom, Boca’s early years, and the origins of the city’s name.
More Upcoming Event Highlights:
- January 8, 2025: Double Take: Reflections on Addison Mizner’s Life, Legend, and Legacy with Augustus Mayhew
- February 13, 2025: Fort Mose – Black History in Spanish Florida with Martha Gutierrez Steinkamp
- March 12, 2025: Speculating on Sunshine: The Florida Land Boom a Century Later with Dr. Evan P. Bennett
Sunday, April 6, 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – 2025 Boca Bacchanal Grand Tasting presented by the Boca Raton Historical Society at The Addison > Tickets (Early Discount)
For the full schedule, visit www.bocahistory.org.
Timeless Tokens: Centennial Keepsakes
Dream City: A Centennial Coffee Table Book
Launching in January, Dream City: A Pictorial History of Boca Raton captures the city’s history through stunning visuals and engaging narratives. Available for $100, this limited-edition book is a must-have for history enthusiasts.
Commemorative Centennial Ornaments
Celebrate Boca Raton’s 100th anniversary with two beautifully crafted Centennial Ornaments that honor the city’s unique history and legacy. These timeless keepsakes capture the essence of Boca Raton’s story, making them a meaningful addition to any holiday tradition or personal collection.
- Centennial Commemorative Ornament
This ornament is a tribute to the key milestones that shaped Boca Raton’s history, including Addison Mizner’s architectural influence, Pearl City’s Tree of Knowledge, Yamato’s Japanese script, the Palmetto Park Pavilion, the iconic Town Hall Dome, the Boca Raton Army Air Field logo, and the groundbreaking IBM PC. - ‘Mizner’s Dream’ Ornament
Inspired by Addison Mizner’s arrival in Boca Raton in 1925, this ornament celebrates his visionary designs and enduring legacy. It also highlights the current exhibit Boca Raton 1925–2025: Addison Mizner’s Legacy, which delves into Mizner’s transformative impact on the city.
For more details on the Centennial celebrations, visit www.bocahistory.org or contact the Boca Raton Historical Society.
About The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum
The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is the home of the Boca Raton Historical Society, whose mission is to collect, preserve, and present information and artifacts relevant to the past and evolving history of Boca Raton, and to maintain a visible role in education and advocacy of historic preservation in the community. Now open to the public Wednesday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, the museum is located in historic Town Hall at 71 N. Federal Highway (33432). For more information, please call 561.395.6766 or visit www.BocaHistory.org.