November 2010

Dr. William Chapman, one of Miami's first black physicians, was known for his educational programs on communicable diseases. Built during Miami's Land Boom years, this two-and-one-half-story Masonry Vernacular house is the most elaborate residence surviving in Overtown, the center of Miami's historic African-American community.

The nine houses in the Dow Museum of Historic Homes, dating from 1790 to 1910, are accompanied by five exhibit galleries that elaborate on the history of the area.

Old St. Augustine Village is a collection of nine historic houses spanning the period 1790 to 1910. Explore the five exhibit galleries nestled among the buildings' courtyards and gardens. Included in the 1572 town plan of St. Augustine, this city block contains an archaeological record of a sixteenth-century hospital and cemetery, an eighteenth-century Spanish Colonial defense line, and an early St. Augustine bridge, as identified by outdoor exhibit markers.

The grounds also include the site of the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation reading, which freed all slaves in Florida. The Village features the collections of museum benefactor, Kenneth Dow, and exhibits highlight St. Augustine and Florida history. Visit the Star General Store, which offers guests Florida gift items including books by local authors. One city block and four centuries of history, Old St. Augustine Village is the perfect place for visitors to begin their St. Augustine adventure.

The Gilroy Museum, housed in the historic 1910 Carnegie Library Building, contiains a collection for its visitors which consists of over 25,000 items. The museum leads walking tours of historic parts of the town of Gilroy to better acquaint visitors with local heritage and to reveal the many important buildings in the area and their impact upon local history.

This community museum invokes Destin's history as a fishing village. It features award winning examples of fish caught in Destin displayed on a 100 feet of wall space depicting the Gulf floor. Its collection of antique rods and reels includes a Penn Reel originally owned by Ernest Hemingway. The museum also houses the oldest seine fishing boat still in existence. The original Destin Post Office building is conveniently located next door.

Currently a museum housing eight galleries and exhibits, The DeLand Memorial Hospital was originally built to serve the growing needs of a population expanded by the land boom era. In 1920, its cornerstone was placed, and in 1922 the completed building was dedicated to the service men of World War I.

Today the Historic Farm exhibits agricultural practices from the 1870s to the present, demonstrating the transition from horse-powered to horsepower. Since Ardenwood is a working farm, the daily activities change from season to season so no two visits will be exactly alike. The park also contains a horse-drawn train and walking trails. (from website)