Lake Wales History Museum Seeks $175K From City, Faces Questions from Commissioners
by James Coulter
The Lake Wales History Museum is seeking $175,000 from the city to cover its lease and operating costs, but commissioners say they’re not convinced the museum is using its current funding effectively.
At their regular work session on Wed., Sept. 16, 2026, Lake Wales city commissioners reviewed a request to approve the museum’s $175,000 lease and operating agreement for the coming year. The current agreements expire Sept. 30.
However, commissioners questioned the condition of the museum’s buildings, the quality of its services, and whether the museum can meet its commitments under the renewed agreement.
Commissioner Terri Miller said she frequently sees one of its buildings “crumbling” and “not taken care of,” raising doubts about approving another year of funding. She also said residents trying to rent museum facilities often receive no response from the board.
Miller argued the museum’s deteriorating buildings and limited hours make it difficult to justify more funding without a coherent plan for maintenance and improvement.
“It’s hard for me as a city commissioner to say, ‘Here is another $175,000,'” she said.
Brandon Alvarado, president of the Lake Wales History Museum Board of Directors, said the museum remains a preservation priority but an expensive one. The museum is working to tarp the roof and address damage, though capital projects over $5,000 must be handled by the city under the lease agreement.
Alvarado said he has been coordinating with the city manager on repairs across the museum’s facilities, including a new roof for the main depot building. The museum is also pursuing grants to make its freight room ADA-accessible; until then, it cannot advertise the space as compliant for rentals.
He acknowledged the museum fell short last year in preparing the rental space, attributing the delay to the former executive director. He said progress has improved under new leadership.
“That’s on us. I absolutely acknowledge that,” Alvarado said.
Commissioner Keith Thompson questioned whether the museum can deliver on its commitments, noting a speaker series and tours of the Historic Walesbilt Hotel that the museum had advertised but never held.
“That place is going to quickly become a construction zone,” Thompson said. “My problem is that you have this window of opportunity that is going to close really quickly on you. It’s not really one of those opportunities where you can wait around and see. You either do it or you don’t.”
Thompson also said he had not seen advertising for the upcoming 50th Annual Pioneer Days celebration. Alvarado responded that marketing is tied to a CDC grant that goes into effect Oct. 1, though the museum has started promoting the event on social media.
Alvarado said the museum intends to be transparent about how it uses city funding.
“At the end of the day, we are not just coming here to say we will take it and not report back,” he said. “The goal is to bring you real answers and the truth. … That is what we are here to do, to be transparent about the institution.”
