Historical Pensacola
Preface by Blackbird_Nevermore: Pensacola is the oldest settlement in North America, being founded in 1559 by the De Luna Expedition. However, a year later, the settlement was wiped out by a hurricane.
Pensacola is a very strategic. It's on a peninsula and a deep water port. The Spanish used it as a naval base. A resting location for Spanish galleons transporting gold from South America to Spain.
Being on a strategic peninsula, Pensacola has flown five flags. The Spanish, French, British, Confederates and Americans have all occupied it.
Pensacola and Spanish Florida were ceded to the United States in 1820. Seminole Indians would cross over to Alabama and Georgia and slaughter American civilians. General Andrew Jackson, the hero of the Battle of New Orleans and the future 7th President of the United States, invaded Spanish Florida.
He defeated the Seminoles, and then marched into Pensacola. The Spanish garrison was in Mexico putting down a revolt. General Jackson placed the Spanish governor in jail, and his forces occupied Spanish Florida.
Basically, we had an international incident where General Jackson loosely interpreted President James Monroe's instructions and invaded another country. The Secretary of State John Quincy Adams brokered a deal to occupy Florida in assuming $5 million dollars of claims against the Spanish government.
Facts
Historic Pensacola encompasses 8 1/2 acres and 28 properties, 11 of which are open to the public. As you experience our site, you'll see examples of a range of architectural styles including Mediterranean Revival, Renaissance Revival, Greek Revival, Classical Revival, French Creole, and Folk Victorian.
In addition to architectural style, you will also see these properties interpreted in a variety of time periods, such as Colonial, Victorian and World War II, through furnishings and other artifacts from our collection of more than 150,000 artifacts of historical and antiquarian interest to the City of Pensacola, Escambia County and West Florida. You will also get to interact with our living history interpreters who bring history to life.
1.
Pensacola Museum of Art
407 S Jefferson St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-432-6247
Hours:
Mon - Closed
Tues - Sat - 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission:
Adults $7.00
Children 3 - 14 $3.00
AAA Members/Military/Seniors 65+ $6.00
Pensacola Museum of Art members/UWF Students/Children under 3 - FREE
Combo Ticket for Historic Pensacola $5.00
http://www.pensacolamuseum.org/
2.
T.T. Wentworth, Jr. Museum
330 S Jefferson St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5990
Description: Our flagship museum is the T. T. Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum, which is housed in the three-story Mediterranean Revival architecture of the former Pensacola City Hall and was built in 1907. The Wentworth Museum, a highlight of theself-guided tour, is a general history museum with galleries dedicated to both permanent and changing exhibits. The first floor houses the Wentworth Store and ticket desk.
Permanent Exhibits:
The City of Five Flags
The City of Five Flags tells the unique story of Pensacola through artifacts, photographs and stories told through archaeology and preservation efforts. Renovated in 2012, the City of Five Flags exhibit includes streamlined timelines, engaging interactives, one-of-a-kind artifacts, and immersive environments all designed to help visitors experience life in Pensacola under five different flags.
For thousands of years, people have been discovering Pensacola. Warriors, conquistadors, presidents, heroes from all walks of life, and countless others have discovered that in trying to make their mark on Pensacola, Pensacola has made its mark on them.
What drew people here more than 450 years ago still captivates us today. The beautiful, unspoiled bay, the vivid pageantry of our multi-cultured history, and the promise of new discoveries from places that transcend time itself--this is Pensacola, City of Five Flags.
Trader Jon's
Martin "Trader Jon" Weissman, owner and namesake of Trader Jon's Bar, was well known for his personal eccentricities such as his famously mismatched socks and "Tradernomics" as well as his eclectic establishment. One of Pensacola's top tourist destinations for decades, Trader Jon's, decorated with photos and memorabilia, some traded for drinks, was a safe haven where young flight students, military personnel, astronauts and movie stars rubbed shoulders with local politicians, characters and the occasional ne'er-do-well. Trained as a U. S. paratrooper in WWII, Trader's lifelong love of naval aviation and his livelihood were inseparable. There was truly nothing like it on Earth! Step inside and experience the legend that was Trader Jon's.
Buy Tickets here
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sun: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission:
Adults $8.00
Children 3 - 14 $4.00
AAA Members/Active Military & Dependents/Seniors 65+/Pensacola Museum of Art Members/UWF Alumni Association Members $7.00
Historical Pensacola Members/UWF Students/Children under 3 - FREE
Combo Ticket for Pensacola Museum of Art $5.00
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...tworth-museum/
3.
Pensacola Children's Museum
115 Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-1559
Description: This hands-on exploration of Pensacola history is geared for children age 10 and younger. The first floor Discovery Gallery recreates colonial life in Pensacola.
The second floor features the Strictly Bricks Maker space, the Publix Super Markets Interactive Exhibit sponsored by Publix Super Markets Charities, Colonial Classroom, and Native American history.
Buy Tickets here
Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sun: 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission:
Adults $8.00
Children 3 - 14 $4.00
AAA Members/Active Military & Dependents/Seniors 65+/Pensacola Museum of Art Members/UWF Alumni Association Members $7.00
Historical Pensacola Members/UWF Students/Children under 3 - FREE
Combo Ticket for Pensacola Museum of Art $5.00
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...ldrens-museum/
4.
Museum of Commerce
201 Zaragoza St,Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: Inside this brick turn-of-the-century warehouse, which is included on the self-guided tour, is a reconstructed 1890s era streetscape. On exhibit are historic shops featuring toys, hardware, music, households, leather goods as well as a print shop exhibit containing one of the most complete collections of antique presses and type in the Southeast. An interesting collection of horse drawn buggies and an antique local trolley car are also part of this nostalgic recreation of yesteryear.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...m-of-commerce/
5.
Museum of Industry
200 E Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: Lumbering, brick making, railroads and commercial fishing were among the industries that propelled Pensacola from a sleepy frontier garrison into a thriving commercial center in the 19th century. Step back in time and learn more about some of Pensacola's pivotal industries. The museum is a popular stop on the self-guided tour.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...m-of-industry/
6.
Voices of Pensacola
117 E Government St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: Opened in 2014, this multicultural center highlights the diversity of the city through panel exhibits representative of the cultural groups that have shaped Pensacola history.
On the second floor is theHilton-Green Research Room, which houses a vast variety of documents, maps and photographs.
The Voices of Pensacola Multicultural Center is the home of our annualHaunted House Walking and Trolley Tours. Held on Friday the 13ths and annually the two weekends before Halloween, our Haunted Tours share Pensacola's other history.
Hours:
Sat - Mon: Closed
Tues - Fri: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...-of-pensacola/
7.
Old Christ Church
405 S Adams St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: Completed in 1832, Old Christ Church is one of the oldest surviving church buildings in Florida, serving the Pensacola community as an Episcopal Church, public library and museum. The building was also occupied by federal troops during the Civil War. Today, it is a popular stop on the guided tour and continues to serve the public as a museum, special events venue and meeting hall as well as hosting weddings. The church will accommodate up to 185 guests.
Old Christ Church was built in 1832 for the “Protestant Association in the City of Pensacola” with the purpose to build an Episcopal church in Pensacola. The architect and builder are unknown. The church now stands as one of the oldest Protestant churches in the state of Florida, located on the original site and being the original masonry structure. Old Christ Church has strong elements of Norman-Gothic: a transition period from the traditional Roman-Classical architectural style to Gothic style.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: Guided Tours at 11:00 a.m. and 1 p.m., will last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours.
We offer guided tours of our historic homes and buildings Tuesday through Saturday at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Meet in the Tivoli High House, 205 E. Zaragoza Street
Guided tours are included in admission to Historic Pensacola. Tours last approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Guests receive an in-depth tour of the1805 French-Creole Lavalle House, the1871 Dorr House, the1832 Old Christ Church, and the1890 Lear/Rocheblave House. *Guided tour buildings are only available on the tour with a tour guide.*
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...christ-church/
8.
Tivoli High House
205 E. Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: This area was once the location of the First Spanish governor’s house.The first floor of the Tivoli House serves as a ticket outlet and museum store offering unique Historic Pensacola items, books, souvenirs and refreshments. Reconstructed from photographic and archaeological evidencefor Pensacola’s bicentennial in 1976, the original 1805 Tivoli House was once a boarding and gaming house and tavern. To the east of the original structure was a large octagonal theatre and ballroom that served as a meeting place for early Pensacolians.
Buy Tickets here
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission:
Adults $8.00
Children 3 - 14 $4.00
AAA Members/Active Military & Dependents/Seniors 65+/Pensacola Museum of Art Members/UWF Alumni Association Members $7.00
Historical Pensacola Members/UWF Students/Children under 3 - FREE
Combo Ticket for Pensacola Museum of Art $5.00
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...li-high-house/
10.
Lavalle House
205 E. Church St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: An example of French Creole colonial architecture, the Lavalle House was built in 1805 during Florida’s second Spanish period by Carlos Lavalle and Marianna Bonifay. The house, furnished with authentic 18th and 19th century artifacts, recreates the early 19th century frontier lifestyle in Pensacola. The house include on theguided tour.
This house is the oldest standing example of French Creole Cottage construction in Pensacola. This style, popular from about 1790 to 1850, may have originated in the West Indies and been introduced to the Gulf Coast by refugees from Santo Domingo. The Lavalle House represents frontier Pensacola during the last period of Spanish rule in Florida.This style, popular from about 1790 to 1850, may have originated in the West Indies and been introduced to the Gulf Coast by refugees from Santo Domingo.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...lavalle-house/
11.
Lear/Rocheblave House
212 Church St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: The Lear/Rocheblave House, built circa 1889 at 214 East Zaragoza Street, is a central element to the development and interpretation of Historic Pensacola Village for the visiting public.During November and December, the home is decorated for Christmas and special Victorian Holiday Traditions Tours are given of the home, which typically serves as the final stop on theguided tour.
The house design and interpretation will reflect life as the Benito Rocheblave family would have experienced it in late Victorian America. Visitors to the home will gain a better understanding of life in Pensacola during this time period of fascinating contradictions, human innovation, and change. Life was a struggle and adjustment, socially, culturally, and physically toward a new way of life ushered in by the call for rapid progress, reform, and technology. These struggles were the birth pains of our modern world, the closure of one era and the beginnings of another.
The architectural construction can be classified as a two-story wood frame, clapboard, and vernacular home with ornamental Queen Anne design elements.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...heblave-house/
12.
Dorr House
311 S Adams St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: The Pyramidal roof Gulf Coast cottage, built around 1888, was once a common sight in Pensacola. These small houses had only two rooms, which were often rented separately. Today, this simple cottage, includedself-guided tour,displays the history of Pensacola in the “Roaring Twenties.”
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...rrios-cottage/
13.
Manuel Barrios Cottage
212 Church St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: The Dorr house was built by Clara Barkley Dorr in 1871 during a time of economic prosperity in Pensacola. This prosperity was partly the result of a thriving lumbering industry. Currently interpreted as a Victorian era family home in Pensacola after the Civil War, the home is an example of Greek Revival architecture in west Florida. The house is included in the guided tour of Historic Pensacola.
The Dorr House is located on its original site and demonstrates Greek or Classical Revival features, a style out-of-date in other parts of the country by the 1870s. This is curious because by this time, builders were adopting Gothic Revival and Victorian styles. Classical Revival styles peaked decades earlier. The house also represents some of the area’s natural resources and industries, namely yellow pine lumber and bricks.It is the best preserved example of post Civil War Classical Revival architecture in the Pensacola Historic District.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...es/dorr-house/
14.
Julee Cottage
210 E Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: Built around 1805, the Julee Cottage was named for one of its earliest owners, Julee Panton, a free woman of color. The cottage is an early example of platform frame construction, reminiscent of the Creole cottages of the New Orleans French Quarter. It presently displays a “saltbox” shape, built to the sidewalk with no front porch, but cut off roof joists at the south wall suggest the building once had an overhang. It is the only surviving form of this urban Creole architecture in Pensacola. The cottage, included in theself-guided tour, represents the cottage of a working class African-American family during the era of Reconstruction.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla.../julee-cottage
15.
Barkley House
410 S. Florida Blanca St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: The circa 1825 Barkley House, located on Pensacola Bay, is the oldest surviving example of a high-house in the city. Because of its beautiful grounds and spectacular view, it is a popular venue for outdoor weddings and receptions. The Barkley House can accommodate 50-200 people depending on how you use the space. All rentals include use of tables and chairs to seat up to 200 people.
Hours:
For booking information or to schedule a site visit, please contact Krystal
Johnsonatkjohnson3@uwf.edu or 850-595-5985.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...barkley-house/
16.
McMillan House
213 E. Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: The University of West Florida Historic Trust and Apple Corps Foundation presents the Appleyard Storytelling Cottage, and exhibition featuring Pensacola's premier storyteller, John Appleyard. The exhibition features many of Appleyard's stories and celebrates his numerous contributions to community. He worked with Cox Communications to record 51 different stories, some featuring one 15-minute episode and some including multiple episodes and lasting as long as 90 minutes. Each story is available as a part of the exhibition.
Hours:
Sun - Mon: Closed
Tues - Sat: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...mcmillan-house
17.
Fountain Park
300 E. Zaragoza St, Pensacola, FL 32502
850-595-5985
Description: South of Seville Square, this small park has a decorative fountain, donated by the Fleming family, highlighting various scenesof Pensacola. Back in the late 1800s, this park was a residential area, with small shotgun houses lining the street. Throughout the decades, these houses eventually were moved or demolished and by the 1980s was transformed into a park. Fountain Park is a wonderful space that is the location of many downtown festivals andspecial events.
http://www.historicpensacola.org/pla...fountain-park/