#United States #Lakeland #Florida Southern College #Planetarium #Frank Lloyd Wright

Florida Southern College Reopens Frank Lloyd Wright's Planetarium

Florida Southern College (FSC) is set to unveil its beautifully restored planetarium, originally designed by the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, to the community this month. This reopening marks the first time in over twenty years that the historic site will be accessible for educational and public use, a significant milestone for both the campus and local area.

A Historic Landmark

Located within the Polk Science Building, this planetarium is unique; it is the sole planetarium conceived from a design by Wright, who is known for his innovative architectural approaches. It forms part of a prestigious collection of thirteen Wright-designed structures on the FSC campus, making it the largest single-site gathering of his works in the world.

Dr. Jeremy P. Martin, President of Florida Southern College, expressed his enthusiasm about the planetarium's reopening: “Florida Southern has long been entrusted with preserving Frank Lloyd Wright's extraordinary vision for this campus, and reopening the Planetarium allows us to bring an important piece of that vision back to life. This restoration honors the history of this remarkable space while creating new opportunities for our students, visitors, and the broader community to experience it meaningfully.”

Schedule of Events and Programming

The planetarium is scheduled to host public shows every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday at 3:30 PM, starting September 26. Audiences can expect a diverse range of programming with six rotating monthly shows, including Cosmic Adventure, Destination Mars - The New Frontier, From Earth to the Universe, God, Science, and Our Search for Meaning, Oasis in Space, and Undiscovered Worlds - The Search Beyond Our Sun. Each show will run for approximately 20 to 32 minutes and delve into various topics pertaining to astronomy, such as Mars exploration, exoplanets, and our understanding of the universe. Moreover, the entire planetarium experience is expected to span 60 to 90 minutes, beginning with an introductory overview of the history and architectural significance of the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed space.

Entry to the planetarium is priced at $20 per person, with a discounted rate of $15 each for families and groups of four or more. Note that admission to the planetarium is separate from Florida Southern's architectural tours celebrating Wright's work on campus.

Community Engagement and Educational Benefits

In addition to public shows, the planetarium will provide support for Florida Southern students and faculty, fostering an environment for school field trips, community organizations, and other groups to explore its programming. Tory King, the director of Tourism Operations and Visitor Experience at FSC, summarized the impact of the reopening by saying, “Reopening the Planetarium allows us to bring an important part of Florida Southern's history back to life while creating new opportunities for our students and the community.”

This renovation signifies the completion of a multi-phase restoration process. The exterior restoration received funding from the State of Florida and private donors, while the interior restoration benefitted from federal “Save America's Treasures” funding and further contributions from private entities. The latest restoration phase—also supported by state funding—involved installing a modern COSM projection system and a Bowen sound system, revitalizing the space into a fully functional—modern planetarium.

Originally constructed between 1954 and 1958 as part of Wright's grand plans for the Polk Science Building, the planetarium held its inaugural show on April 7, 1960. It played a critical role in supporting FSC's astronomy program, welcoming students and the general public alike. However, after its projection system failed in 2004, the planetarium's usage became increasingly limited until the current restoration efforts started.

Wright's concept of a planetarium was pursued for decades before it was incorporated into his design for Florida Southern. His vision included various educational spaces, aiming to extend learning opportunities beyond the student body to the surrounding community.

With its restoration fully realized and cutting-edge technology implemented, the planetarium now seamlessly integrates Wright's architectural brilliance with science and education, opening its doors to inspire a new generation of students and visitors.

For further details on ticketing, current show schedules, and additional information, you may visit FSC Tickets.

About Florida Southern College

Founded in 1883, Florida Southern College holds the title of the oldest private college in Florida. The institution prioritizes academic excellence with over 70 undergraduate programs and notable graduate programs in business administration, education, nursing, and physical therapy. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, Florida Southern has earned recognition as a leader in engaged learning and boasts an impressive record of 32 NCAA Division II National Championships. Recently, it ranked #11 among “Best Regional Universities in the South” in U.S. News & World Report's 2025 guide, and is featured in several prestigious listings, including The Princeton Review's 2026 Best Colleges guide and the Fiske Guide to Colleges 2025.