OLDSMAR, Fla. — The Oldsmar’s Historical Society Museum has been run by a nonprofit – the Oldsmar Historical Society – but due to a lack of volunteers and declining visitors, the city will be taking over its duties.

What You Need To Know

  • Oldsmar Historical Society is dissolving and its museum will be run by the city 

  • The Oldsmar Historical Society has faced a decline in visitors and aging volunteers

  • The city could take control of the museum as early as the fall 

Maryann Cruse has been in charge of the museum since 2003 and heads up the Oldsmar Historical Society. She says the move is actually a plus and that it will help bring in more visitors.

“There are great things (that are) going to be happening. You are going to have more hours and days open to visit the museum,” Cruse said.

She says most of the volunteers who run the museum are older and facing health issues, so this will be a good move for the future of the museum.

The museum is a step back into the history of Oldsmar, a city that was founded by Ransom E. Olds. He was an automotive pioneer who created the Oldsmobile brand, which was later bought by General Motors. The museum has some of the original advertisements for Olds vehicles and so much more.

Oldsmar’s City Manager, Felicia Donnelly, says it’s important to preserve the history of the city.

“The museum is extremely important to Oldsmar, and it has been curated by a team of volunteers for the last 21 years. They have put their hearts and souls into preserving and sharing Oldsmar’s rich history,” Donnelly said.

The city still has to approve the move and make it official.