Our Mission
The Historic Heritage Foundation preserves, documents, and shares the history and heritage of Lutz and the surrounding community. Located in the offices of Historic Lutz Cemetery, the Foundation partners with the cemetery to create opportunities for historical preservation, research, education, and community engagement.
With Historic Lutz Cemetery serving as a living connection to more than a century of local history, the partnership provides a natural setting for preserving historic records, photographs, family histories, oral histories, cemetery stories, and other materials that help tell the story of the people and places that shaped our community.
Through educational programs, historical research, preservation projects, and opportunities for youth and community participation, the Historical Heritage Foundation works to ensure our local history is not simply stored away—it is discovered, shared, taught, and preserved for generations to come.
Objectives
- Preserve the history of the Lutz community and its founding families.
- Collect stories, photos, and memorabilia from generations past.
- Expand Lutz Cemetery in a sustainable, community-supported way.
- Establish a community-based heritage rally point.
- Prepare a historical foundation leading into the 250th Anniversary of America.
- Provide Youth Service Learning Project opportunities through the Florida Legacy Project, and other activities that promote historical preservation, Americanism, and patriotism.
Our Future Home
The Historic Heritage Center of Lutz has a vision, one that includes an interactive physical location that benefits the entire community. Plans for our future building include:
- A dedicated physical space to serve as a museum preserving both local heritage and military history.
- A versatile banquet hall designed to host community events, ceremonies, and private gatherings.
- A dedicated learning center equipped with computer access to support education, research, and youth programs.
- A training center for workshops, seminars, and community-based instruction.
- A fully equipped podcast studio to produce and share stories, interviews, and educational content.
- Administrative offices to support cemetery operations and community services.
- A Veteran Memorial Park honoring the service and sacrifice of our nation's heroes.
- A community park providing a welcome outdoor space for reflection, recreation, and public events.
Heritage Partnership Support
Beyond the project's archival efforts, Historic Lutz Cemetery and the Historic Heritage Foundation run ongoing activities, volunteer opportunities, and community events. Planned events focus on honoring those interred at Historic Lutz Cemetery and include:
Stone Cleaning Projects
Park Design and Construction
Annual Purple Heart Remembrance Ceremony
Annual Memorial Day Ceremony
Annual Veterans Day Ceremony
Full Military Honors for all Interred Service Members (upon request)
Annual Wreaths Across America Day Event
Annual Veteran Resource Expo
Annual Community Fall Festival
Historic Preservation & Our Youth Community
The Florida Legacy Project
The Florida Legacy Project is an ongoing youth-driven historical research initiative centered at Lutz Cemetery. Students select an individual buried in the cemetery and conduct in-depth historical research to document that person's life, legacy, and contribution to the community.
Through archival research, interviews, and artifact collection, students transform forgotten names into living stories. These stories are preserved digitally and made accessible to the public through QR-enabled memorials.