LAKELAND, Fla. – After a two‑decade hiatus, Florida Southern College proudly opened the restored Frank Lloyd Wright planetarium to the public on September 23, 2026. The historic venue, built between 1954 and 1958 and first used for shows in 1960, now features state‑of‑the‑art video projection, surround‑sound audio and upgraded acoustic treatment.
Renovation funded by state grant and private donors
The college secured a state grant that covered the purchase of the high‑tech equipment, while generous private donations funded the structural restoration of the building itself. The multi‑million‑dollar effort preserved Wright’s original architectural vision while bringing the facility into the 21st century.
President Martin highlights Wright’s legacy
“It used to be, ‘Have you seen this in IMAX?’ I think people will now be asking, ‘Have you seen the planetarium?'” said Jeremy Martin, president of Florida Southern College. Martin noted that Wright lived through massive technological change, from horse‑and‑buggy travel to drawing futuristic cities with flying cars. “This is the only planetarium he got to build, and I think we exceeded even his wildest dreams with this restoration and new equipment,” he added.
Public shows and educational outreach
The planetarium will host regularly scheduled public shows, as well as tailored educational programs for K‑12 students from Polk County public schools and local community groups. Ticket pricing is set at $20 per person, with a reduced rate of $15 for families and groups of four or more. Admission is sold separately from the college’s standard Frank Lloyd Wright architectural tours.
What’s next?
College officials have not yet announced whether additional showtimes will be added as demand grows. The venue’s reopening is expected to boost cultural tourism in Lakeland and provide a unique learning environment that aligns with Wright’s belief that architecture should inspire and educate.
Visitors can explore the planetarium’s immersive shows while appreciating the singular design of the only planetarium ever built from a Frank Lloyd Wright blueprint. The restoration underscores Florida Southern College’s commitment to preserving historic architecture and expanding educational opportunities for the region.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
