THE BOCA RATON HISTORICAL SOCIETY

The Boca Raton Historical Society is a nonprofit founded in 1972 with the mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Boca Raton and act as an advocate for historic preservation in the community. The Society is headquartered in the newly renovated Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum in the historic Boca Raton Town Hall at 71 N. Federal Highway. Its “History Alive!” exhibits feature a complete Boca Raton historic timeline and galleries on the pioneer era, Addison Mizner and the land boom, WWII, and IBM Boca Raton. Galleries for temporary exhibits highlight various topics on local history.

The Boca Raton Historical Society’s programs bring Florida’s history to the community in ways that are both educational and entertaining. In addition to programs for school-age children, the museum is well known for its popular lecture series, Town Hall Talks, and tours of The Boca Raton resort, which it has been giving for almost 50 years. The BRHS research collections serve a wide variety of patrons as the principal archive for information on the history of the area. The museum’s website, bocahistory. org, is one of its most popular assets, providing a variety of resources on local history for students, teachers and the general public. Special events include a popular concert series and the annual Boca Bacchanal, a celebration of wine and food.

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is located at 71 N. Federal Highway and is open WednesdaySaturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for seniors and students, and free for children under 5. Admission is free to BRHS members. Visit bocahistory. org or call 561/395-6766.

participants as old-time crooner Rudy Vallée and former Monkees drummer Micky Dolenz, plus many television actors. One viewer was less than impressed. His letter to the Boca Raton News claimed the celebrity tournament was “just awful. If it hadn’t been for Bobby Riggs, the matches of the first weekend would have been one great big flop.” In true hotel style, the festivities also included a clambake on the beach, a fashion show, an art show, a philharmonic concert and a boxing match. The hotel continued to host a pro-celebrity tournament for 20 years.

Speaking of Chrissie Evert, her former fiancée Jimmy Connors appeared on the courts during the Corel Champions Tour in April of 1995. Connors co-founded the event, which featured former male champions 35 and older—“the senior citizens” of the tennis world. The event was a sellout for the then Boca Raton Resort & Club. Connors, at the age of 42, won the event handily, collecting the $40,000 prize. Björn Borg and Evert-ex John Lloyd also competed. Connors also brought the “Jimmy Connors Fantasy Camp” for kids to the courts from 2018-2020.

Tennis continues to be a major draw for The Boca Raton. Longtime current Director of Tennis Erik Silver actually moved to Florida to study under his predecessor, Australian player Warren Woodcock, who joined the staff in 1975. Today, the resort’s 16 high-tech “Hydro-Grid” clay courts (and six pickleball courts) are faster drying, more “forgiving” and 20 degrees cooler than conventional courts—very important in the South Florida heat. The tennis program includes clinics and play for youngsters 3 to 16 years old, including a high-performance academy. Adult clinics are available each week, there are monthly member events, and The Boca Raton can boast that it is one of the top 10 tennis destinations in the country.