Celebrating Our 104th Birthday on February 11, 2026!

On February 11, 1922, the St. Petersburg Museum of History opened its doors to more than 1,000 guests, marking the beginning of what would become Pinellas County’s oldest cultural institution.

Founded by Mary Wheeler Eaton and a group of civic leaders who saw the need to preserve the region’s rapidly changing story, the museum was housed in a former aquarium that was damaged by the devastating 1921 hurricane.

From that first day, the museum’s mission has been to collect, preserve, and share the history and heritage of Florida, with a particular focus on St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Peninsula. Its early collections began with local photographs, documents, and artifacts that told the story of a city still finding its identity.

Over the decades the museum’s holdings have grown to tens of thousands of artifacts, photographs, and documents that provide insight into everything from early settlement and aviation milestones to social movements and everyday life.

The museum’s mission is as important now as it was in 1922. By engaging visitors of all ages with thoughtfully curated exhibits and programs, the museum helps people understand the forces that shaped this community and inspires civic pride and learning.

As we celebrate another year, we honor the vision of those first museum founders and reaffirm our commitment to preserving the Sunshine City’s past for present and future generations.

To celebrate our 104th birthday, admission will be 50% off on February 11, inviting the community to experience Pinellas County’s oldest museum and help us continue preserving the Sunshine City’s story.