Explore Palm Beach County’s history with a 90-minute educational tour perfect for school groups! Choose between a historical courthouse tour or an interactive mock trial to engage students in local stories and legal history.
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Difficulty
easy
Duration
90 minutes
Fitness Level
Suitable for students with average fitness; mostly walking and standing indoors.
Wildlife
History
The 1916 Courthouse is a landmark representing early 20th-century architecture and the region's legal history.
Conservation
The Historical Society promotes sustainable practices by encouraging digital resources and minimizing waste during tours.
Historical Society of Palm Beach County
Explore Palm Beach County’s history with a 90-minute educational tour perfect for school groups! Choose between a historical courthouse tour or an interactive mock trial to engage students in local stories and legal history.
Historical Society of Palm Beach County preserves and shares the history of Palm Beach County from its early settlement through modern times. Located in West Palm Beach, the Society operates the Richard & Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum in the historic 1916 courthouse, hosting permanent and rotating exhibits that chronicle local culture, tourism, and community life. The Society offers a range of public programs and experiences, including guided and self-guided museum visits, educational school group tours, interactive mock trials, seasonal events, and lecture series.
Educational school group tours provide focused 90-minute experiences tailored to different grade levels, with options to explore the 1916 courthouse or participate in an interactive mock trial for older students. Museum general admission includes access to the 'Places' exhibit and self-guided exploration of artifacts and stories from across the county. Specialized experiences highlight unique local narratives: 'Wish You Were Here: Tourism in the Palm Beaches' examines the evolution of regional tourism; 'Sunshine Cinema: Florida in Film' explores the state’s filmmaking history; and community events such as Haunting History, Cocktails in Paradise, and Women’s History Initiative present thematic programming for different audiences.
The Society supports public engagement through history talks and private experiences hosted in historic spaces. As a long-established cultural organization based in West Palm Beach, the Historical Society of Palm Beach County collaborates with local experts, docents, and community partners to offer educational, immersive, and accessible history programming for residents and visitors alike. Admission options and event schedules are available on the website.
Historic Venue
1916 Courthouse
Authentic courtroom and museum setting.
Tour Length
90 minutes
Standard school group tour duration.
Experiences Offered
10 experiences
Guided, self-guided, and interactive events.
Location
West Palm Beach, FL
Located in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Book museum general admission, school tours, private mock trials, or upcoming events at the historic 1916 courthouse in West Palm Beach.
Arrive early to get settled
Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled tour to allow time for check-in and group organization.
Prepare students with questions
Encourage students to prepare questions in advance to make the most of the interactive experiences during the tour.
Dress comfortably for indoor walking
Wear comfortable footwear as the tour involves walking through courthouse exhibits and participating in the mock trial.
Check accessibility options ahead
Contact the Historical Society to inquire about accommodations if any students require wheelchair access or special assistance.
Comfortable walking shoes
Essential for navigating the courthouse and participating comfortably throughout the tour.
Water bottle
Stay hydrated, especially during warmer months before or after the tour.
summer
Notebook and pen
Helpful for students who want to take notes or sketch during the historical tour.
Light jacket
A light jacket is useful for cooler mornings or air-conditioned spaces.
winter