Santa Rosa County has recently completed the installation of 15 educational panels located along the walking path throughout Bagdad Mill Site Park. Titled “Bagdad: The History and Ecology of the Village,” the exhibit captures significant periods in the history of Bagdad and the Bagdad Mill Site and also highlights important ecological resources in the area.
The educational project was funded with a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and a donation from International Paper. A teacher’s guide has also been developed for grades five through 12 with activities meeting Florida standards. The curriculum is available at www.floridasplaygound.com under “Things to Do” and “Educational Resources.” The exhibit and guide were developed by Drs. Catherine M. Lewis and Jennifer Dickey of the Department of Museums, Archives & Rare Books at Kennesaw State University in partnership with Santa Rosa County and Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership.
The Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation has also included the park in its Florida Heritage Site Historical Marker Program, which recognizes places, people and events that are significant in the state’s history and culture. The marker, describing the significance of the Bagdad Lumber Mill and shipbuilding in Bagdad, is located south of the fishing pier. The historical marker project was an initiative of Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership with assistance from the University of West Florida’s Florida Public Archeology Network and was funded by the Blackwater Pyrates.
