Escape Naples’ dazzling pace of development for a day and spend a lazy afternoon exploring the history of nearby Everglades City. Once accessible only by boat, this remote frontier trading town took an ambitious new turn in 1923 as the hub of Barron Collier’s personal Southwest Florida real estate empire – with a population of fewer than twelve families. First opened in 1927 as a commercial laundry, today’s Museum of the Everglades dates back to a time when construction of the famous Tamiami Trail was well underway and the tiny settlement of Everglades served as the first County seat. The museum’s permanent and rotating exhibits provide visitors with an in-depth look at over 2,000 years of human history in the area and tell the story of those adventurous enough – and stubborn enough – to settle Southwest Florida’s lush “River of Grass.” Faithfully restored to its original, 1920s Collier-era appearance, the museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located 35 miles east of downtown Naples.
Everglades City, FL
Region(s):
Southwest
County:
Collier
Type(s):
History
The Nader Museum and its Permanent Collection of the most important modern and contemporary works from Latin America, the Caribbean, and the diaspora, presents Gary Nader’s vision for a dynamic cultural center in the United States. The Nader Museum comprises four exhibition rooms presenting comprehensive exhibitions of works in all media - painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, and video - in a space dedicated to showcasing the global importance of the art of Latin America.
MIAMI, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Miami-Dade
Type(s):
Art
Park
Long hidden on the fringe of Florida’s Gulf Coast and overlooked by developers until well into the 1880s, Naples’ catalyst for settlement finally arrived forty years later when two rival railroads rolled into town within ten days of each other. Set in Naples’ restored Seaboard Air Line Railway passenger station, the Naples Depot Museum welcomes visitors back to the railroading boom days of the Roaring Twenties and explains how generations of Southwest Floridians used technology and transportation to conquer a vast and seemingly impenetrable frontier. Seminole dugout canoes, a mule wagon, antique swamp buggy, restored rail cars and exciting interactive exhibits tell the story of how trade and travel transformed Naples from a napping village of 300 souls into today’s glittering Gulf Coast resort. The Naples Depot Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is conveniently located in downtown Naples.
Naples, FL
Region(s):
Southwest
County:
Collier
Type(s):
History
The New Smyrna Museum of History showcases the history of New Smyrna Beach, Florida's 3rd oldest city and former site of the largest British Settlement in North America. A large exhibit highlighting the history of the Turnbull Settlement of 1768 is supported by a timeline featuring objects, photos and exhibits from the local area dating from the prehistoric time period through modern day.
New Smyrna Beach, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Volusia
Type(s):
History
The Museum’s permanent collection now consists of more than 7,600 works in five curatorial departments: European, American, Chinese, Contemporary and Photography. Since 1954, many distinguished additions have been made thanks to the endowment Mr. Norton created for the purchase of works of art. They include masterpieces such as Stuart Davis's New York Mural (acquired in 1964), and Jackson Pollock's Night Mist (acquired in 1971).
West Palm Beach , FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Palm Beach
Type(s):
Art
The FAU Harbor Branch Ocean Discovery Visitors Center offers interpretive tours led by outreach scientists. The center's five research-themed exhibits include "Marine Biomedical & Biotechnology", "Marine Mammal Research & Conservation", ""Aquaculture & Stock Enhancement", "Marine Ecosystem Health", and "Ocean Engineering". This interactive tour provides and excellent overview of FAU Harbor Branch as well as an opportunity to learn about the research equipment and live aquaria displayed throughout the center.
Fort Pierce, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
St. Lucie
Type(s):
Science
Other
The Old Davie School Historical Museum invites visitors to experience South Florida’s agricultural past, and its economically diverse region. With artifacts, photographs, articles and maps, a visit to the museum takes visitors back in time to experience the vibrant history that shaped this community. The campus includes the old school, two Florida homes that depict life from the 1920-1960s, a replica 1909 pioneer home and a 1940s Citrus Packing House.
Davie, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Broward
Type(s):
Historic Home
History
House
Founded in 1924, the Orlando Museum of Art is Orlando’s flagship museum and a leading provider of visual art education and experiences in a four-county region. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 1971, the Orlando Museum of Art (OMA) is a regional asset and a catalyst for life-long learning in service to the central Florida community and visitors from around the globe. The mission of the Orlando Museum of Art is to stimulate creativity and intellectual curiosity by connecting people from all backgrounds and experiences with compelling art and new ideas. Annually, the museum presents about a dozen exhibitions consisting of special and visiting exhibitions, as well as ones curated from the museum’s collections. Each exhibition inspires and is enriched by programs as varied as gallery tours, art appreciation lectures, studio classes for youth and adults, bespoke community access programs designed for special populations, and community events like family days and cultural celebrations. OMA welcomes more than 130,000 visitors annually, and the museum’s education programs serve 16,000 annually.
Orlando, FL
Region(s):
Central
County:
Orange
Type(s):
Art
PBPC is a registered 501(c) (3) nonprofit visual arts organization dedicated to the enrichment of stunning exhibitions and academic learning that promotes the photographic arts.
West Palm Beach , FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Palm Beach
Type(s):
Art
Palmetto Historical Park includes a 1914 Carnegie Library, 1880 Post Office, 1920 School House,1900 Cottage, a replica Chapel and a Military Museum. Free tours are offered and many community events are held each year. For more information, please visit our website at palmettohistoricalpark.com
Palmetto, FL
Region(s):
Southwest
County:
Manatee
Type(s):
Historic Home
History