Carrabelle History Museum

Museum & Gift Shop Hours:
Wednesday 12-5 pm,
Thursday, Friday, & Saturday 10 am-5 pm,
Sunday 12-5 pm.

The Carrabelle History Museum is truly a community treasure.  Housed in the historic Carrabelle City Hall.  Personal memorabilia and local artifacts tell the story of Carrabelle from the eyes and ears of its long term residents. The Carrabelle History Museum is housed in a historic building, that for 75 years, was Carrabelle’s City Hall. Now a museum, its mission is to preserve the history and culture of Carrabelle and the surrounding Forgotten Coast. Personal memorabilia and local artifacts tell the story of Carrabelle from the eyes and ears of its long term residents. Exhibit items include ancient Native America pottery shards and artifacts, fascinating fossils, tools and other artifacts from the turpentine, lumber and commercial fishing industries, nautical artifacts and history, and a Civil war display… and an endless supply of fascinating stories. The museum also has an exhibit about the "Shipwrecks of Dog Island" which were wrecked in the 1899 Carrabelle Hurricane and uncovered by Hurricane Michael. There is also an exhibit about the steamship “SS Tarpon” which served the city with weekly visits from 1902 to 1937 including the amazing tale of its deadly wreck and the men who survived it. And the original World’s Smallest Police Station can be found on display right inside the Carrabelle History Museum.

There is a tribute to our local heroes and notables including a display of some military veterans with ties to Carrabelle and to baseball great and Hall of Famer Buck O’Neil.  The Museum is a member of the Florida Trail of Indian Heritage featuring information and documentation of Carrabelle's First People - the Apalachee Indians who lived here from 150- 900 AD.  There is a diorama of the Civil War skirmish in Carrabelle when the Union blockade ship sent 2 gun boats up the river where they encountered the feisty Carrabelle Irregulars who were ready to defend the city and their homes.  Research and genealogy files are available to the public.

Small gift shop area with coffee mugs, t-shirts, Florida black bear stuffed animals, local history books and area historical fiction, magnets, children's books, postcards and more.

The Carrabelle History Museum is funded, in part, by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

Categories: Associations/Organizations, History, Museums & Attractions, Shopping