The Powel Crosley, Jr. Community Exhibition: His Life. His Work. His Impact. is a community exhibit not only at the South Florida Museum, but also  featured by the Manatee Village Historical Park, the Manatee County Historical Records Library, the Manatee County Agricultural Museum, the Palmetto Historical Park and the Manatee County Central Library, Eaton Florida History Room. With the support of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau as primary sponsor, this Community Exibition is drawing attention to the Powel Crosley Estate operated by the Bureau and helping to promote the downtown cultural institutions in Bradenton and Palmetto.
Powel Crosley Jr., a Cincinnati native, began manufacturing radios in 1921 with the goal of making them affordable for everyone. Within five years, the Crosley Radio Corporation was the largest radio manufacturer in the world. As part of his effort to boost sales, Crosley launched WLW/Cincinnati, a 50-watt radio station that later became a 50,000-watt powerhouse and was known as "The Nation's Station." WLW gave rise to one of radio's first soap operas ("Ma Perkins") and provided opportunities to important talents such as Red Skelton, Doris Day, Rosemary Clooney, The Mills Brothers, Jane Froman, Red Barber, Norman Corwin, Frazier Thomas and Fats Waller. During World War II, Crosley Radio Corp., made important contributions to the war effort at the request of the War Department. By the end of his life, Powel had invented, developed, manufactured or produced:
- The first compact economy car (1939)
- First auto radio (1930)
- Electric wagon (1900)
- Shelvador refrigerator
- 500,000-watt radio station (1934)
- Night baseball (1935)
- Soap operas (1934)
- Facsimile machine (1940)
- First 4-wheel disc brakes (1939)
- 35mm camera
- Airplanes (4 different)
- First radio broadcast from an airplane (1930)
- Phonographs, scalp massagers, canoes, furniture, baby carriages, washing machines, stoves and bed-cooling systems.
In 1929, Crosley built Seagate, a winter home for his wife Gwendolyn, adjacent to the John Ringling Estate. Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, Seagate was saved from commercial development and purchased for renovation by Manatee County. Today, the 11,000 square-foot-home serves as a meeting, conference and event venue.
Each cultural site taking part in the Community Exhibition will showcase a different aspect of Crosley's life, his work and ties to the community. Visitors to each of the six sites who have an entry form stamped at each site* (turning the card in to the last site visited) will be entered in a special drawing to win a replica Crosley radio, courtesy of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. Entry forms are available at each of the Exhibition sites.
The Community Exhibition is open now at all sites, except the Eaton Florida History Room at the Central Library, which will open their exhibition on June 1. The Community Exhibition runs through September in all locations except the Eaton Florida History Room, which will close its showcase Aug. 31.
(*Note: Those who visit during May and September when the Eaton Florida History Room at the Central Library is not participating only need stamps from the five open sites to be entered into the drawing for the replica Crosley radio.)
The South Florida Museum's Crosley exhibit will focus on radio development and experimentation and visitors can view a variety of Crosley radio receivers from the 1920s-1930s, along with early radio marketing materials, including the Crosley Pup. The Museum's May 7 Family Night will also have a radio tie in.
(Family Night details.)
- Cost: Free. Temporary exhibitions are included in general Museum admission. Get your Powel Crosley Community Exhibition entry form (available at each exhibition site) stamped for $3 off general admission for up to 4 people at the South Florida Museum.
Coral Reefs: Nurseries of the Sea
After traveling on the airwaves, head under the sea with Coral Reefs: Nurseries of the Sea.
This new special panel exhibit will allow visitors to experience
 life on the metropolis that is a coral reef. As one of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on the planet, coral reefs host cool animals, help humans and are, sadly, facing severe threats.
Visitors to Coral Reefs will learn about:
- Coral biology: Coral animals have been around since before the dinosaurs. Learn all about this amazing creature and how they help sustain over one million species of plants and animals.
- Human dependence reefs: Coral reefs prove their invaluable worth by providing everything from food and shelter to cancer-fighting medicines and more.
- Threats to reefs: Coral reefs may be gone even before we can fully understand them. Learn about the many threats facing coral reefs, including how our fascination with reefs can be harmful.
- Efforts to save them: Efforts to help conserve coral reefs include large-scale initiatives and dedicated action by individuals. Pick a single action from the exhibit's recommendations and you can join in a collective effort at saving this natural wonder.
- Cost: Free with regular admission.
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