Election History in America and Pinellas CountyCurrently on display in the main exhibit hall at the Dunedin Historical Museum is a comprehensive collection of items about American political elections. Visitors will see photos, artifacts, posters and special items related to our American Presidential Election Campaigns. Part of the material is from the private collection of Rob DiSpirito, Dunedin’s City Manager. Besides campaign posters, Rob collected campaign pins, special items such as clocks and watches, political hats, and a rare Halloween political mask. Original material as far back as Abraham Lincoln’s 1860 election campaign will be on display The exhibit has a special section on local Florida and Pinellas County history as well. Included in this area will be an original Palm Beach voting machine with the original “hanging chads” that were notorious in the George W. Bush/Al Gore election in 2000. Bill Coleman donated this original ballot machine to the Museum after he won it in an auction. A presentation on Pinellas County includes original artifacts on loan from the Pinellas County Heritage Village Museum. Special focus is on the historic election which split Pinellas from Hillsborough County in 1911. In celebration of the 200th birthday in February of Abraham Lincoln, there will be an area dedicated to his election campaigns. An interactive area will be included where individuals can mount a platform and record their own campaign promises or try voting on one of the vintage election machines on loan from the Pinellas County Elections Office. The exhibit is on display until early June 2009. The Museum is located on Main Street where it meets the Pinellas Trail in downtown Dunedin. It is open from 10 to 4, Tuesday through Saturday. There is a suggested $2 donation for adults, with children under 12 free. For more information or group reservations, contact the Museum at (727) 736-1176.
|