Osceola County Historical Society, Museum, and Pioneer Village [FL]

Description

The Osceola County Historical Society seeks to preserve and share the history of the Kissimmee and St. Cloud areas, Florida. To this end, the society operates a museum and a historical village, which depicts early pioneer life in the state of Florida. Permanent exhibits include general local history and the county citrus industry. The village includes a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop, citrus packing house, wash and smoke house, residence, cattleman camp, country store, and water tower.

The society offers exhibits, period rooms, field trip programs about pioneer or cattleman life, outreach presentations for schools, a high school history club, a Scout program, continuing education programs, summer camps, and research library access.

Old Dillard Museum [FL]

Description

The Old Dillard Museum presents the history of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; the African American experience in Broward County; the Old Dillard community; and jazz. The museum is housed within the 1924 Old Dillard School, a segregated school for African Americans. Artifacts are local, African, Native American, and Caribbean in provenance. Particular attention is given to Julian “Cannonball” Adderly (1928-1975), jazz saxophonist.

The museum offers exhibits, hands-on activities, guided tours, films, lectures, conferences, classes, and workshops.

Historic Pensacola Village and the T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum

Description

The Historic Pensacola Village and the T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum present the history of West Florida. The Historic Pensacola Village consists of 20 historic properties—10 of which are open to the public. The T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum holds two floors of exhibits. It is housed within the 1908 City Hall building. Collections include more than 150,000 artifacts. Exhibits topics include African American history. The site also offers the Museum of Commerce and the Museum of Industry.

The museum offers exhibits, one of which is specifically designed as a hands-on children's experience; period rooms; living history docents; guided tour options for adults; 90-minute guided tours for students; and self-guided tours. Collections access is available with an appointment.

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park [FL] Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 01/08/2008 - 13:37
Description

The battle that started the Second Seminole War is commemorated in January each year under the oaks of Dade Battlefield. On December 28, 1835, Seminole Indian warriors ambushed 108 soldiers at this site—only three soldiers survived. The park protects not only a historic battlefield, but also the natural communities as they existed when the soldiers and Seminoles battled over 180 years ago. The visitor center has information and displays about the battle and visitors can watch a twelve-minute video history, "This Land, These Men."

The park offers a short film, exhibits, tours, educational programs, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Mission San Luis [FL]

Description

The Mission San Luis recreates life at the time of Spanish settlement. The site depicts the ways of life of 17th-century Spanish settlers and the Apalachee people. Sights include the visitor's center, Apalachee council house, the Spanish Deputy Governor's home, and a Franciscan church and friary. Costumed living history interpreters show how the people interacted with each other, their material cultures, and the land.

The mission offers an introductory film, audio tours, exhibits, demonstrations, costumed living history interpreters, one- through three-hour interactive curriculum-based school tours, four curriculum-based school outreach programs, day camps, and workshops for adults. The film is captioned, audio tours are t-coil compatible, and arrangements can be made for a descriptive orientation for visually impaired visitors. Publications are available in Braille, and one exhibit was designed with the assistance of the Florida Division of Blind Services. Wheelchairs are available on request. The website offers pre- and post-visit lessons, vocabulary, and a teacher's guide

Hemingway Home and Museum [FL]

Description

The Hemingway Home and Museum commemorates the life of Pulitzer and Nobel Prize-winning author and journalist Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961). The 1851 Spanish Colonial home served as Hemingway's personal residence for more than ten years. A Farewell to Arms was completed in Key West for publication in 1929. Many of the home furnishings and hunting trophies on display belonged to Hemingway, and the more than 60 cats are descended from his own pets. Hemingway's work is characterized by simple sentences, understatement, and stoic characters. Examples of his writings include The Old Man and the Sea and For Whom the Bell Tolls.

The site offers period rooms, guided tours, and an abundance of cats.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park [FL]

Description

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, Florida's southernmost state park is popular for recreation, as well as U.S. military history. The fort was one of a series built in the mid-1800s to defend the nation's southeastern coastline. Completed in 1866, Fort Zachary Taylor played important roles in the Civil War and Spanish-American War.

The park offers tours, exhibits, and occasional recreational and educational events (including living history events).

Ybor City Museum State Park [FL]

Description

Don Vicente Martinez Ybor came to the frontier near Tampa and built a city that became the "Cigar Capital of the World." From the opening of the first cigar factory in 1886 until the 1930s, Ybor City flourished. This urban park is dedicated to the preservation of Ybor City's cultural heritage. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar-making industry. The museum has self-guided exhibits, with written and audio information, and a video presentation.

The park offers a short film, exhibits, tours, and demonstrations.

North Brevard Historical Museum [FL]

Description

The North Brevard Historical Museum is owned and operated by the North Brevard Historical Society, and works to chronicle the history of North Brevard and Titusville. The museum holds all of the society's collections, and puts on exhibits on local history.

The museum offers exhibits and guided tours. The website offers visitor information and links to the North Brevard Historical Society.