Immokalee, Collier County’s largest inland community, has long been linked with sprawling cattle ranches and a thriving agricultural economy. First occupied by the Calusa Indians and later by the Seminole, the area has seen a colorful mix of hunters, trappers, cowmen, missionaries and Indian traders since it was first settled in 1872. Early pioneers renamed the town “Immokalee” in 1897 after a Seminole word meaning “my home” or “his home.” Originally home to cattleman Robert Roberts and his family, this 13-acre historic site and museum (the longest running ranch in South Florida) provides visitors with a rare opportunity to experience daily working life on a Southwest Florida pioneer homestead and citrus grove from the early 1900s. Exhibits, programs, and fifteen carefully preserved original buildings and features tell the story of the cow hunters, ranchers and pioneer-spirited families who struggled to tame this vast wilderness prairie on the edge of the Big Cypress Swamp. The Immokalee Pioneer Museum at Roberts Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located in downtown Immokalee, a scenic 44-mile drive east of Naples.
Immokalee, FL
Region(s):
Southwest
County:
Collier
Type(s):
Historic Home
History
ICA Miami is dedicated to promoting continuous experimentation in contemporary art, advancing new scholarship, and fostering the exchange of art and ideas throughout the Miami region and internationally. Through an energetic calendar of exhibitions and programs, and its collection, ICA Miami provides an important international platform for the work of local, emerging, and under-recognized artists, and advances the public appreciation and understanding of the most innovative art of our time. The museum is deeply committed to providing open, public access to artistic excellence by offering year-round free admission.
Miami, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Miami-Dade
Type(s):
Art
‘Island SPACE Caribbean Museum’ is an archive and exhibition space featuring a collection of artifacts, iconic paraphernalia, cultural relics and historical data representing South Florida’s Caribbean communities.
Plantation, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Broward
Type(s):
Other
Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Discover the earth’s wildlife through interactive and educational experiences. A true family adventure, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is changing daily and is dedicated to consistently improving. As a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, a portion of ticket sales and memberships goes directly to the care and feeding of our animals, and the protection of animals and plants around the world.
Jacksonville, FL
Region(s):
Northeast
County:
Duval
Type(s):
Gardens
Zoo
The Jay Historical Society began in 2001 as a dream of seven local citizens. We have a permanent museum and our mission is to collect items, preserve documents, and to educate and advocate for the historical preservation of places and structures related to the history of Jay and north Santa Rosa County.
Jay, FL
Region(s):
Northwest
County:
Santa Rosa
Type(s):
Art
Children's
History
House
Science
Other
Founded in 1998 by those who appreciate the arts and by artists; we provide essential support for artistic activities and cultural undertakings in our community.
Monticello, FL
Region(s):
North Central
County:
Jefferson
Type(s):
Art
The Jewish Museum of Florida-FIU (JMOF-FIU) is the only museum dedicated to telling the story of more than 250 years of Florida Jewish history, arts and culture, with a growing collection of more than 100,000 items. Housed in two restored historic buildings that were once synagogues for Miami Beach's first Jewish congregation, the museum is located in the trendy SoFi neighborhood of South Beach. While reflective of the Jewish experience in Florida, JMOF-FIU creates understanding of the shared immigrant experience in our multicultural society. JMOF became part of FIU in 2012, creating a historic partnership that leverages the resources of the Museum and FIU to ignite a new era of interdisciplinary education and research. Using the lens of the evolving immigration experience of Jews in Florida, JMOF-FIU serves as a forum to promote tolerance, further global understanding and create connections to Jewish culture, history, arts and contemporary civic life for diverse audiences.
Miami Beach, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Miami-Dade
Type(s):
History
The Ringling is the State Art Museum of Florida and is administered by Florida State University. It features an art museum, historic mansion, circus museum, historic theater, conservation laboratory, and research library, situated on sixty-six acres of spectacular bay front property in Sarasota. The Ringling is a place of art, architecture, and circus in an environment that inspires, educates, entertains, and honors the legacy of John & Mable Ringling.
Sarasota, FL
Region(s):
Southwest
County:
Sarasota
Type(s):
Art
Gardens
Historic Home
History
The John Gilmore Riley Center/Museum for African American History & Culture, Inc. is a historical and cultural gem that sits at the bottom of a hill in downtown Tallahassee, at the corner of Meridian and Jefferson Streets. The Riley historic home represents the thriving black neighborhood, known as Smokey Hollow, that once existed in what is just east of downtown Tallahassee. It is especially significant when compared to other such historical sites in that it is the last vestige we have of the accomplishments of an entire group of people, the black middle class, which emerged in the latter part of the nineteenth century. The mission and purpose of the John Gilmore Riley Center/Museum for African American History & Culture, Inc. is to discover, archive and illuminate the blended interrelationship of African American, Native American and European history and preserve African American landmarks and legacies throughout the State of Florida as an enduring public resource through tourism and education. Established in 1996, the museum’s programs provide an environment and means to encourage and empower participants to develop an awareness of and gain an appreciation for the educational and social contributions of African Americans to Florida’s history.
Tallahassee, FL
Region(s):
North Central
County:
Leon
Type(s):
Historic Home
History
Located in Lighthouse Park, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum offers climbing tours of the national landmark 1860 lighthouse. Visitors can self-guide using our smartphone app in English, French & Spanish. The History Museum (restored WWII building) exhibits Five Thousand Years on the Loxahatchee and outdoor exhibits include the Oil House & Keepers Workshop Exhibit, Tindall Pioneer Homestead, and Seminole Chickee. Enjoy shopping our nautical Museum gift shop and check online for our adult and children’s programs, sunset & moonrise tours, weddings & proposals, and special events. Waterfront venue is perfect for nature and boat watching and a picnic lunch! Hiking trail and observation tower are located on the north side of Beach Road. Beaches, restaurants, shopping, playground & watersports are located nearby. The Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the 120-acre federally designated, Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area. It is one of only three ONAs in the United States.
Jupiter, FL
Region(s):
Southeast
County:
Martin
Type(s):
Historic Home
History
Park