Last updated: 6/20/2021
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Street Address
231 SW 2nd AvenueFort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Mailing Address
219 SW 2nd Avenue,Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Hours

Hours of Operation
Guided tours at 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 each day
Monday - Friday
12 PM - 4 PM
Sunday, Saturday
9:30 AM - 4 PM

Admissions

Adults $15
Seniors $12
Students (with ID) $7
Members and Children under 6 free
Includes Main Museum exhibits & guided tour of Pioneer House and Schoolhouse Museums

Adults $10
Seniors $7
Students (with ID) $5
Members and Children under 6 free
Includes Main Museum exhibits & guided tour of Pioneer House and Schoolhouse Museums

Adults: $15
Seniors: $12
Members: free
Children under 6: Free

Staff

Patricia Zeiler
phone: 954-463-4431 x100
Rodney Dillon
phone: 954-463-4431 x104
Tara Chadwick
phone: 954-463-4431 x103
Barbara Poleo
phone: 954-463-4431 x104
Sheila Brew
phone: 954-463-4431 x104
Margaret Miller
phone: 954-463-4431
Kamal Khan
phone: 954-463-4431 x105
Ellery Andrews
phone:
Description
Explore the Historic heart of Fort Lauderdale

The story of the New River is as old as the Everglades. It was home to the Tequesta People from prehistoric time. Later is was a refuge for the Seminole People. Even though it was claimed by Ponce De Leon for his King in 1513, it remained virtually untouched by the modern world until the late 1800s. Fort Lauderdale Historical Society operates 3 museums and a research library on the banks of the New River. Its campus features an open-air museum that demonstrates the best remaining examples of wood and masonry vernacular tropical architecture. Its Main, Pioneer House and Schoolhouse Museums explore the development of South Florida from virgin land to the present. Exhibits include Archaeology, Seminole Culture, New River Development, Flagler’s Railroad, WWI & WWII Military History, Fashion and Visual Art.

Mission

Fort Lauderdale Historical Society brings the stories of our diverse community to life through educational experiences, cultural exhibits, research, and preservation for future generations.

History

The Bryan family arrived on the New River in 1895. Henry Flagler had sent Philemon and his son Tom to oversee the construction of his rail bed from Pompano Beach to the New River. The Bryans and their team of 400 workers accomplished rail bed completion in a few short months despite the difficult terrain and living conditions. Mr. Flagler’s train pulled in to the Fort Lauderdale station for the first time in February 1896. The Bryans decided to stay and operate the Railroad boarding house which later became today’s New River Inn. In addition to operating the first tourist hotel, they branched out into farming, citrus groves, dredging, construction, first ice house, first electric company, first telephone exchange, and first radio station. Tom and Reed, Philemon’s sons, held elected offices, organized the board of trade, and were instrumental is negotiating the creation of the new Broward County is 1915. The Bryan family is one of many to meet at History Fort Lauderdale, where the river meets the railroad.

Governance

Private Non-Profit

Library
Hoch Heritage Center is open to the public.

Research sources are available at the Hoch Heritage Center. Over 250 images of South Florida are avaiable for sale. A speakers' bureau is available for community groups' events.

Access: General Public
Appointment required: No
Services
Wedding Venue

This is a lovely spot on the New River for weddings and events.

Gift Shop
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Museum Trustee Association Spring Forum 2024

April 10 - 14, 2024

Atlanta, Georgia

Texas Association of Museums 2024 Lubock Annual Conference

April 14 - 17, 2024

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2024 Colorado-Wyoming ANNUAL MEETING

May 1 - 4, 2024

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West Virginia Association of Museums 2024 Conference

June 6 - 8, 2024

Shepherdstown, West Virginia

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