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Florida Historic Sites: History and Culture in the Sunshine State

Most tourists seem to gravitate toward overpriced, crowded theme parks or plentiful hot beaches, but if you’re looking to get off the beaten track when traveling to Florida, you should consider the history and some of the Sunshine State’s more cultural offerings. From North Florida with southern Panhandle hospitality to exciting cultural influences at the lower end of the state, a Florida vacation offers endless possibilities for unusual places to visit.

Every coast, in fact, from the Atlantic to the Pacific with the Gulf Coast included, exudes a history related not only to America, but also globally. From the Keys to Tallahassee, the importance of Florida’s dynamic history and state history is immediately apparent and the locals look forward to sharing their myriad cultural assets with you.

Where to go and what to do on your Florida vacation:

Tropical treasures in the keys

Key West, slightly off the coast of Florida and connected by a bridge, is a continually sunny destination that has fascinated everyone from President Harry Truman and Tennessee Williams to Ernest Hemingway and the US Navy. Author Hemingway, after a vacation in Florida, subsequently decided to live in Key West, and his home has now been turned into a museum with the descendants of his polydactyl cat still roaming the grounds.

With the proximity of the ocean, both locals and tourists enjoy activities that incorporate the blue water of the sea, including boat rescue and diving for ancient sunken treasures. Many US Presidents, including Harry Truman and Franklin Roosevelt, reinforced local tradition and Florida history by calling Key West home in the winter months at the Southernmost House Grand Hotel and Museum.

The first industrialists in Fort Myers

Both Thomas Edison and Henry Ford decided to call Fort Myers home in the winter months after taking a vacation to Florida. Edison’s home, called “Seminole Lodge,” has been accurately renovated to reflect the time period in which it was built and resided, and includes one of the first modern swimming pools in Florida history and his laboratory as much as he does. I would had. being a good example of one of the best historical places in Florida.

Adjacent to Edison’s elegantly designed home is “The Mangoes,” Henry Ford’s newly renovated winter home. After a vacation in Florida, Ford decided that Fort Myers would be better than cold Michigan. A garage full of restored vintage Ford cars completes the serene atmosphere. Both of these historic homes have lush gardens along the Caloosahatchee River.

The contrasts of Palm Beach

From industrial influences to charming gardens, Palm Beach is a sunlit city of contrasts. Henry Flagler linked Florida cities after realizing that a sophisticated transportation system could help revitalize the state and attract more vacation tourists to Florida. Beginning in the late 1880s, Flagler began buying railroads, combining routes, and installing more tracks along the coasts and eventually in between. The Henry Flagler Museum, housed in his grand winter home called “Whitehall,” heralds his accomplishments and his idea of ​​bringing the first vacationers to the state for profit, a first in Florida history.

Located outside the city limits in Delray Beach, the expansive and serene Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens bring Japan to the Florida coast. Exhibits include galleries highlighting ancient and modern Japanese art and culture, tea ceremonies, festival celebrations, tasting events, and special exhibits in the gardens. During your Florida vacation, the Morikami is a must see.

Family fun in Sunny Sarasota

Sarasota is another hotbed of historic places in Florida. The city has a detailed cultural history complete with Native American and Spanish influences. Highlighting 5,000 years of Florida history, historic Spanish Point features prehistoric Indian mounds, living history depictions, archaeological tours, a butterfly garden, and pioneer-era buildings. Historic-inspired boat cruises sail through Sarasota Bay for an entertaining ending to your Florida vacation.

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and the Ringling Museum of the American Circus focus on the home of the museum’s namesakes who designed their sprawling mansion to mimic European architecture, a fine example of one of Florida’s most elaborate historical sites. Ca d’Zan, completed in 1926, saw the largest and most expensive parts of the early 20th century in Sarasota. The art museum, from the Ringling Collection, displays both old and new art from the Americas, Europe and Asia. The circus museum, which opened to the public in 1948 and has since become a popular stop during a Florida vacation, has a large collection of brochures, posters, costumes, and accessories from the early days of the circus. Also on the grounds is a miniature circus built by Howard Tibbals, who was an integral part of the design of the small circus stage that is now part of Florida history.

Military origins in Pensacola

Home of the Blue Angels, Pensacola, a must see on a Florida vacation, prides itself on being the home of naval aviation. More than 150 restored aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are on display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation, where visitors can experience the flight simulator or learn more about naval aviation in Florida history and the Rest of the World at the Memorial Theater. Additionally, the museum features an IMAX display, a tour of the restoration hangar, cabin trainers, and Blue Angels events on select days.

Nearby is the historic Fort Pickens, which was built in 1834 and used well into the 1940s. Important in Florida history, the Fort had been influential during the Civil War and by the mid-1880s, the famous Apache warrior, Geronimo, was imprisoned at the Fort, where it became a sideshow for tourists on vacation in Florida. A visitor center displays memorabilia, art, and books that enhance the Fort’s history.

The magnificent Gulf of the Panhandle

Surprisingly, Apalachicola, the charming and secluded Gulf Coast town steeped in Florida history, offers many options for things to see and do. The Camp Gordon Johnston Museum offers a glimpse into the lives of WWII soldiers and their intensive training. Opened in 1942, the camp, a permanent reminder of the military’s impact on Florida history, trained America’s amphibious soldiers before they left for war, and remnants of the training ground and camp still survive. Exhibits include photos, items and trinkets from the heyday of the camp.

In the city center, the historic district has more than 900 buildings, built as early as the early 19th century, listed in the National Register. Walking tours allow visitors to explore each location in depth and include a former cotton warehouse, three parks, and rows of oaks and magnolias. A visitor center offers maps, ideas, and directions to explore historic downtown Apalachicola while on vacation in Florida.

Coast to Coast History

When on vacation in Florida, the Sunshine State offers much more than just beautiful beaches and warm weather. From coast to coast, Florida and the history of its people and culture still influence its society and lifestyle. You don’t have to worry about endless options of where to go or what to do; if you’re looking for history of any kind, Florida has it!

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