Carrabelle’s three museums will open their doors free of charge on Saturday September 18, 2021 as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 17th annual Museum Day, a national celebration of boundless curiosity. This national celebration honors museums that follow the example of the Smithsonian. In honor of this day, Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, Carrabelle History Museum, and Crooked River Lighthouse Museum will have special activities and exhibits.

Museum Day goes beyond getting visitors through museum doors—it acts as a springboard to empower and help advance the hopes and ambitions of the public. It represents a national commitment to access, equity and inclusion. With many public spaces being shut down for a year or more, Museum Day 2021 celebrates the reopening of museums after long closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s theme, Experience America, represents the return to, and resurgence of, our country's diverse cultural experiences, in the safest possible way. While admission will be free of charge, the museums will have safety precautions in place for this year’s event so guests can safely and comfortably enjoy their experience.

INFORMATION ON THE MUSEUMS

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum
Honors the military men and women as well as civilian personnel who trained and worked in Carrabelle and Franklin County during 1942 through 1946. The museum houses numerous displays of military artifacts, photos and memorabilia of many types. Plus the newly constructor Motor Pool building now displays the museum’s military vehicles – WWII DUKW, Lieferwagen, and Jeep. Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located at 1873 Highway 98 West, directly across from Carrabelle Beach where military troops practiced D-Day beach assaults. Saturday hours 11 am – 5 pm.

Carrabelle History Museum
Features local artifacts and exhibits including Carrabelle's Native American people, the Steamship “Tarpon”, the original “World’s Smallest Police Station”, Carrabelle industry and culture (seafood, lumber and more) and families from the pioneer days to the present. Plus come see the tribute to some of our local military heroes from WW1 thru Vietnam and the high school exhibit full of throw-back nostalgia. Carrabelle History Museum is located at 106 SE Avenue B, Carrabelle, FL. Saturday hours 10 am – 5 pm.

Crooked River Lighthouse
The history and the science of the lighthouse are displayed through interesting exhibits, including a historical setting of the early 1900’s, examples of beacons, the methods of constructing a skeletal tower lighthouse, plus the original 1895 Fresnel lens! Also on display are the original Keeper’s House clock, a barometer, an antique glass fire grenade, and more. Crooked River Lighthouse is located at 1975 Hwy 98 West, Carrabelle. Saturday hours 9 am – 5 pm.

For more information, please visit Smithsonianmag.com/MuseumDay.