About the Historical Society of Palm Beach County
From a Single Photograph to Four Million Images
The Historical Society of Palm Beach County was founded in 1937, and its collection began with a single donation: a vintage black-and-white photograph of an island street scene, given by attorney A. Stanley Bussey. From that first image, the society has grown into the leading resource for Palm Beach County history, assembling a permanent collection of millions of objects and images that spans more than 12,000 years of Palm Beach County and Florida history.
The society's archives today hold approximately four million photographic images, along with maps, newspapers, journals, periodicals, architectural drawings, and research files. A dedicated research room gives the public direct access to these holdings, making the society an essential resource for genealogists, students, authors, and anyone tracing the story of southeast Florida.
In 2008, the society opened the Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum on the second floor of the restored 1916 county courthouse at 300 North Dixie Highway in downtown West Palm Beach — a milestone that finally allowed the collection to fully serve its purpose of sharing and showcasing the rich history of Palm Beach County.
Beyond the museum galleries, the society presents public programs and events under its "History Alive" banner and runs a broad slate of educational initiatives, including lesson plans for teachers, traveling trunks, pop-up exhibits, education videos, and a speakers bureau that brings county history into schools and community groups.
Plan Your Visit
The Historical Society of Palm Beach County's museum is located in the restored 1916 courthouse at 300 North Dixie Highway in downtown West Palm Beach. For current hours, admission information, research room access, and upcoming programs, visit pbchistory.org.
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