Imogene Theater in the 1920s.

The Imogene Theater days after the Jan. 6, 2010 fire.

(photo by Bob Gibbs)

The Museum of Local History was located in the Imogene Theater in downtown Milton, Florida, until a fire damaged the facility and destroyed neighboring buildings on January 6, 2009. 

Luckily, almost all the exhibits and artifacts were spared from the smoke and flames.  The Santa Rosa Historical Society is currently seeking alternatives to reopening the museum. 

The museum featured an extensive collection of photographs and artifacts, including everyday household objects, clothing, tools, etc.  It showcased artifacts from the county's early industries, starting with the 1820's brick-makers, who produced millions of bricks for Fort Pickens and Barrancas. Lumber mills and shipyards sprang up along the rivers, so much so, that by the Civil War, Santa Rosa was the most highly industrialized county in Florida.   Historical photographs depict the development of Milton, Florida along with artifacts from its stores and public buildings. They also show the destruction wrought by fires floods, and the rebirth generated by NAS Whiting Field.

The Society hopes to have develop an online history of Santa Rosa County as well as a virtual tour of our collections in the near future.

The Imogene Theater is scheduled to reopen to the public by the summer of 2011.

If you are interested in participating in the museum's redevelopment, please contact us.

We welcome your help!