For the Love of Mangos THE

2023 Mango Festival Welcomes All

Ahh, the luscious, juicy Mango — the undisputed star of Florida’s summer fruit bounty.

And one of the loves, like travel and parties, of Clarence “Hamm” and Vera Hammerstein, the generous donors of the house where the Hollywood Historical Society lives at 1520 Polk Street. Hamm and Vera were, in fact, early investors in and supporters of Flamingo Gardens, one of the first botanical gardens and tourist attractions in South Florida.

This summer, the Hollywood Historical Society pays homage to the couple and the fruit with an exhibit, For the Love of Mangos, highlighting both the fruit itself and the couple’s fascination with it.

The free exhibition, For the Love of Mangos, is scheduled to run through the end of August. Visitors are invited to tour the presentation and the historic Hammerstein House, on the first Sunday of each month from 1:00 to 4:00 pm, or by appointment.

For the Love of Mangos explores the rela- tionship between Clarence and Vera's life and this much-loved South Florida summertime fruit. The show features mango fun facts; a look at the story of Hamm’s original cultivars and his promotion of mango growing in the community; the story of Flamingo Groves; recipes for historic mango dishes, and how the Hammersteins’ world travels impacted their love of Florida’s favorite fruit.

The Hollywood Historical Society offers self-led walking tours of historic buildings all over town — download a printable copy of a map at the Hollywood Historical Society website, or pick one up at 1520 Polk Street (please phone 954-923-5590 for hours). Your donations are appreciated and allow us to continue to offer these and other community benefits.

▸ To learn more about the Hollywood Historical Society, a nonprofit 501(c)(3)* cultural organization founded and operated by volunteers, or to join us, email HollywoodFLHistory@att.net, or visit www.hollywoodhistoricalsociety.org.

The Hollywood Historical Society has over 20,000 items in its collection, and also offers many unique items, including books, historic postcards, photographs, maps, and posters, for sale at the Research Center at its headquarters at Hammerstein House. Please call 954-923-5590 for hours.