BAGDAD — Santa Rosa County has installed 15 educational panels along the walking path throughout Bagdad Mill Site Park.
The exhibit, titled "Bagdad: The History and Ecology of the Village," describes significant periods in Bagdad and the Bagdad Mill Site’s history, and highlights area ecological resources.
The educational project was funded with a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant and a donation from International Paper.
In addition, a teacher's guide has been developed for fifth- through 12th-graders with activities meeting Florida standards. The curriculum is available at www.floridasplaygound.com under "Things to Do" and "Educational Resources."
Drs. Catherine M. Lewis and Jennifer Dickey of the Department of Museums, Archives & Rare Books at Kennesaw State University, developed the exhibit and guide along with Santa Rosa County and the Bagdad Waterfronts Florida Partnership.
The Florida Bureau of Historic Preservation has included the park in its Florida Heritage Site Historical Marker Program, which recognizes places, people and events 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.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Bagdad Mill Site Park recognized for significance to state