Have you seen our
COLUMBIAN MAMMOTH BONES?
OCTOBER PRESENTATION
Wednesday, October 22, 2025, 7:00pm
Firemen and Fire Safety – Fire Prevention Month
Residents of the City of Seminole and the greater Seminole area are urged to protect their families and homes by heeding the important safety messages of Fire Prevention and to support the public safety activities and efforts suggested by the City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department.
Join us to hear:
George Bessler, Retired Fire Chief for the City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department, started his fire service career as a volunteer for Hillsborough County and professional fire service career with Seminole Fire Rescue in April 1982 as firefighter/EMT. He became a paramedic and served on the county Hazardous Materials and Technical Rescue teams and was honored by the State of Florida as State Training Officer of the year and Hazardous Materials Responder of the Year. Mr. Bessler was recently honored as the 2025 Mr. Seminole for his many contributions to the Greater Seminole area.
Doug Meyer spent 29 years with the City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department. and was a volunteer at age 18 and then hired on as one of the first seven original firefighters. As the department Operations Chief (retired in 1999), Doug helped establish the Pinellas County Hazardous Materials Response Team and was commander for ten years. In 2024 Doug retired as an Emergency Management Coordinator for Pinellas County. Doug is now providing leadership at his church as Missions Coordinator and the Disaster Committee along with medical on-site assistance during services.
Adopt-A-Mile
Join us as we clean up the 1 mile stretch of old Oakhurst Road (74th Ave).
Meet at the Museum. Bring yourself, a pair of gloves, and closed toed shoes.
Pickers, bags, and buckets will be provided.
Our next Adopt A Mile will be Saturday, October 18, 2025, 7am.
Bob Grant, a dedicated member of the Seminole Historical Society and always present at program meetings and events, has recently passed away. Bob was never shy and asked inquisitive questions at formal programs. Additionally, he supported all efforts of the museum to acquire artifacts and memorabilia. Bob will always be remembered by the Board of Directors as a member who provided a beacon of light to highlight the efforts of the Seminole Historical Society to honor their motto, “Where the Present Remembers the Past”. Bob made a serious commitment to our community and managed to do this for many years. We honor Bob Grant for the enthusiastic support he gave to the Seminole Historical Society and Museum.
Museum Open
Saturdays and Thursdays
Hours: 10am-1pm
We are now offering private tours for groups.
See the calendar to confirm open dates.
The Seminole Historical Society
and Museum
The Seminole Historical Society was founded to highlight historic artifacts, documents, articles and buildings in Seminole. Its purpose is to ensure that our children and future generations will have a place to go to learn about stories of families from the past who helped create our present, so that we can carve the future.
Members of the Seminole Historical Society can be individuals, families, institutions, or businesses.
Please see our membership page for detailed information.
Seminole exists because of the dreams and actions of those who came before us. Did you know that in early 1860's individual settlers with names like Archer, Campbell, Cobb, Duhme, Grable, Meares, Moody, O'Quinn, Sartorius, Thevenet and Tyler were the pioneer settlers in the Seminole area? They were followed by more pioneers with names such as Johnson, Leach, Longley, Repetto, Thurston, and Whittle.
These early settlers found tall pines suitable for building their homes, ample land to raise their cattle, and plentiful wildlife such as turkey, deer, quail to feed their families.
In 1910, the Seminole area was comprised of just 75 people. The 1920 Census shows names of orange grove owners and farmers living side by side next to each other on one very long road. We know it as Duhme Rd, or 113' Street, or Ridge Road. These families were, O'Quinn, Hinckle, Meares, Johnson, Leach, Brumby, Duhme, and Thevenet.
The Seminole Historical Museum is a gathering place for the dreams of the past and the rich history of our community. The museum is a place for telling stories of those who are no longer here to tell them for themselves.
We welcome you to our website and invite you to visit our beautiful museum to learn about the stories of those "dreamers" from our past who have helped create our present and future.