Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information and Resources for Travelers
Homeland Heritage Park

Homeland Heritage Park

This unique park is home to several original structures from 19th century pioneer life in Florida, including an 1800s farm house, school and church.

Are you looking for an escape that will take you back in time? Visit Homeland Heritage Park that dates to the mid-1800s and see how an early Florida historical community lived in central Florida. You can take a tour of the park and get a sense of what it was like living without the amenities we sometimes overlook.

Visiting Homeland Heritage Park

There are 2 types of historic houses at the park that exhibit two different lifestyles. One home is the English home, a single-room log cabin with four doors and windows. Family members occasionally slept on the wrap-around porch for the cooler temperatures. The second home belonged to an affluent pioneer family, called the Raulerson house. It was built in 1900 and said to house the Raulerson family downstairs and the foreman’s family upstairs.

Checkout the original school building that opened in 1878. It was named Bethel Academy and started with 5 students and one schoolteacher who taught reading, math and writing. Eventually, the number of students grew to 75, and it became the largest school in Polk County. The original school bell still exists, and you will see the teacher’s desk and several oak chairs used by students.

Nearby the school sits the Homeland Methodist Church that was built in 1887. The structure features stunning stain glass windows that shine bright colors on the original pine flooring and the church pews once used by parishioners. Other items on exhibit include the pole barn, church annex and a mock cemetery.

Public & Private Events

The park was opened in 1985 to celebrate Polk County’s history and offers residents and visitors a glimpse into what it took to live and work in Central Florida. Homeland holds several public events and activities throughout the year, and it’s a great place to hold weddings and receptions.

For information about educational events hosted at Homeland Heritage Park, visit the related page on Facebook. To schedule a guided tour, call 863-534-7377.

You may also be interested in Polk County History Center or Lake Wales History Museum.

Are you looking for an escape that will take you back in time? Visit Homeland Heritage Park that dates to the mid-1800s and see how an early Florida historical community lived in central Florida. You can take a tour of the park and get a sense of what it was like living without the amenities we sometimes overlook.

Visiting Homeland Heritage Park

There are 2 types of historic houses at the park that exhibit two different lifestyles. One home is the English home, a single-room log cabin with four doors and windows. Family members occasionally slept on the wrap-around porch for the cooler temperatures. The second home belonged to an affluent pioneer family, called the Raulerson house. It was built in 1900 and said to house the Raulerson family downstairs and the foreman’s family upstairs.

Checkout the original school building that opened in 1878. It was named Bethel Academy and started with 5 students and one schoolteacher who taught reading, math and writing. Eventually, the number of students grew to 75, and it became the largest school in Polk County. The original school bell still exists, and you will see the teacher’s desk and several oak chairs used by students.

Nearby the school sits the Homeland Methodist Church that was built in 1887. The structure features stunning stain glass windows that shine bright colors on the original pine flooring and the church pews once used by parishioners. Other items on exhibit include the pole barn, church annex and a mock cemetery.

Public & Private Events

The park was opened in 1985 to celebrate Polk County’s history and offers residents and visitors a glimpse into what it took to live and work in Central Florida. Homeland holds several public events and activities throughout the year, and it’s a great place to hold weddings and receptions.

For information about educational events hosted at Homeland Heritage Park, visit the related page on Facebook. To schedule a guided tour, call 863-534-7377.

You may also be interested in Polk County History Center or Lake Wales History Museum.

LEARN & DISCOVER

2 couples eating beignets at The Poor Porker in Lakeland, FL

Spend a Weekend in Lakeland

See how much fun you’ll have when plan a weekend in Lakeland, FL. Tour the world’s largest collection of Frank...

See Details
Blueberry U Pick season IG juliannafergie

Blueberry U-Pick Season

Picking blueberries at a local farm is way more fun than picking up a small plastic container of blueberries in...

See Details
R.L. Alexander, 'Procession of the Swan Queen,' Oil on panel, 2021 Mayfaire by-the-Lake Featured Image

Top 5 Things To Do Before & After Mayfaire by-the-Lake

Polk Museum of Art’s annual Mayfaire by-the-Lake fine art festival is a great reason to plan a weekend getaway to...

See Details
2 kids on roller coaster during LEGOLAND Florida Piratefest Weekend

Top 10 Reasons to Visit LEGOLAND Florida in 2021

In honor of LEGOLAND Florida Resort celebrating it’s 10th birthday in 2021, we’re giving you the top 10 reasons to...

See Details
Family taking selfie in front of LEGO Movie World

6 Great Reasons to Spend a Weekend in Winter Haven

Ready to book a family-friendly weekend getaway? Here’s a list of 6 exceptionally fun things to during weekend in Winter...

See Details
2 women on paddleboards during tour with Paddleboard Winter Haven

50+ Ways to Experience Lakeland & Winter Haven

Here’s an easy way to plan your next trip to Central Florida – 50+ Ways to Experience Lakeland & Winter...

See Details
LEGO Globe at PLANET LEGOLAND at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, FL

Re-Imagine & Rebuild the World at PLANET LEGOLAND

LEGOLAND® Florida Resort in Winter Haven has introduced a world with no rules just pure creativity… PLANET LEGOLAND® opening April...

See Details
IG ciaraliebl on couch at Unfiltered Coffee in Bartow, FL - one of the Most Instagram-Worthy Places in Central Florida

Most Instagram-Worthy Places in Central Florida

Trip planning on Instagram is definitely a thing and we love finding new places to take pictures at Central Florida,...

See Details
fireworks during Red, White, and BOOM at LEGOLAND Florida Resort in Winter Haven, FL

Fourth of July Events in Central Florida 2021

Get ready for plenty of family-friendly, Fourth of July fireworks fun in Polk County! Join us in the celebration and...

See Details
father and son on Great LEGO Race roller coaster at LEGOLAND in Winter Haven, FL

Family-Friendly Central Florida Summer Vacation Ideas

We’ve put together a Top 10 Family-Friendly Central Florida Summer Vacation Ideas for 2021. We hope to see you and...

See Details
water ripples used as email signup background

Subscribe to

EMAIL LIST

Join our email list and stay up to date with all the great things happening in Florida’s Sweetest Spot.

Copy link
Powered by Social Snap