Take Quick Tour of the History Fort Lauderdale Museum [Video]

Latin Biz Today partner, Johanna Godinez and museum deputy director Ellery Andrews showcase the evolution of the Greater Fort Lauderdale region.

The History of Fort Lauderdale museums connect visitors to the past and celebrate the present story of our region. Step back in time to when Fort Lauderdale was a tiny hamlet on the New River, playground to playboys and wealthy winter visitors. Our campus of six historic buildings is the largest collection of historical structures left on the New River. Our main museum features stories of Pioneer Life, Seminole Arts & Culture, Yachting, Archaeology, and Flapper Fashion. Our Pioneer House Museum is set as if the family will return at any moment for Sunday supper. The Schoolhouse Museum celebrates some of the women educators who have shaped generations of local children. Museum visitors may access the museums’ digital platform by use of QR codes throughout the museums. This content is available in French, Spanish, Portuguese, and English.

New River Inn

The main building of the museum was the New River Inn built in 1905 by the Bryan family. It cost roughly under $3 to stay here for one night, which at that point in time was fairly pricey, but it was state of the art for here in South Florida.

With the building you’ll see the Philemon Bryan’s desk donated by the family, was  is the family portrait of the Bryan family standing in front of our New River Inn, which is bright and colorful.

Core to the region’s roots is a marine history exhibit. Dugout to Dream Yachts covers our Seminole dugout canoes all the way up to today’s modern yachting industry. Obviously, Fort Lauderdale is the yachting capital of the world, so we get to highlight that history in this room. Excellent.

There is a permanent black history exhibit called Roots of Resilience, The Journey of Black Broward. It is the newest exhibit, and it covers everything from Fort Lauderdale’s agricultural roots to our civil rights movement, to our culture and entertainment for our black community.

King Cromartie House

So, we are in our King Cromartie house. It was built in 1907, second floor was added in 1911. It comprises the living room, dining room, kitchen and dining room with a fantastic state of the art phone for its time. You’ll note it doesn’t have numbers. How did they make phone calls? You have to crank the side to call the operator and the operator would have to connect you.

Very old school…speaking of old school  is the 1899 replica schoolhouse

1899 replica schoolhouse

1899 replica schoolhouse, which kicked off with nine children.The nine children grew to fourteen by the end of the school year.  School hours were comprised of three hours a day.

To experience the museums and more Visit Lauderdale

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