Welcome the Carrabelle History Museum

We opened in April of 2009, and since then, residents of the community have generously shared their pictures, genealogy, memories, household and work items to build our collection. Our first artifact was the medical bag of beloved midwife Tillie Miller, donated by Rita Brown Millender and John Brown. From then Carrabelle History Museum has grown to house thousands of items in its collections. Gratefully, we still receive wonderful local artifacts.

The museum is located in the Old Carrabelle City Hall, built by local mason Marvin Justiss in 1938 during the Depression as a work program to employ locals. The museum has two floors of exhibit rooms and areas to show collections with a large foyer for special displays. We have several exhibits that highlight the Shipwrecks of Dog Island; Carrabelle’s Heroes & Notables; the story of Tate’s Hell Swamp; the Steamship Tarpon, which was key to building our community in the early 1900's; and Carrabelle's "First People", Indigenous people who lived here thousands of years ago.

FEBRUARY 2025 SPEAKER PROGRAM

Flora Fusion: Exploring the Connection Between Plants and People

Apalachee woman in the Council House at Mission San Luis. -Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources

This program will feature Barbara Clark, a Regional Director with the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN), and will be held Saturday, February 8, 2025, at 10:00 am - 12:00 pm EST at C-Quarters Marina, 501 St James Ave (Hwy 98), Carrabelle, FL. There is no charge for this event.

Native Americans and some early settlers depended on their surrounding environment to meet their essential needs, as their grocery store, hardware store, and pharmacy. Because of this, the plants around them played an important part in their everyday lives, serving as resources for food, medicine, tools, storage, transportation, dyes, and shelter. For thousands of years, people in Florida have been learning about plants and their many uses. Archaeologists continue to uncover the diverse ways plants were used by Florida's prehistoric inhabitants and early settlers. This presentation explores the fascinating roles plants played in Florida’s history.

Barbara Clark is the Regional Director for both the Northwest and North Central Regional Centers of the Florida Public Archaeology Network (FPAN). She is a Registered Professional Archaeologist who specializes in historic archaeology, 19th and early 20th century and also a board member of the Florida Archaeological Council and Chair of the Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation. Her favorite areas of expertise include advocacy at the state and local level, historic cemeteries, and disaster planning.

There is no fee for this program but donations are gladly accepted to defray costs. Sponsored by C-Quarters Marina and Shaun Donahoe Realty. For more information, contact carrabellehistorymuseum@gmail.com or 850-697-2141.   Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

Special Exhibit: Carrabelle’s African-American Pioneers & Notables

February 5 through March 2 

This special exhibit will recognize the remarkable achievements of several notable African-American individuals with ties to Carrabelle and will be open from Wednesday, February 5 to Sunday, March 2. 

The exhibit offers an inspiring journey into the lives of just a few of the extraordinary individuals who exemplify the resilience and talent of Carrabelle’s African-American community. John C. Robinson, the "Brown Condor" and "Father of the Tuskegee Airmen," overcame significant barriers to pioneer aviation achievements and contribute to Ethiopia's resistance against Mussolini’s forces. John Jordan "Buck" O’Neil, a celebrated Negro Leagues baseball star, became Major League Baseball’s first African-American scout and coach, co-founding the Negro League Baseball Museum and earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The exhibit also shares the story of Abraham Allen, one of Carrabelle’s original founders, who laid a foundation for progress, while his daughter, Laura "Aunt Laura" Wiggins, became a cherished midwife, delivering babies and providing care for the community. The legacy continues with Aunt Laura's granddaughter, Classie Lowery, known as the "Mother of the Hill," who raised and educated 26 children while dedicating herself to faith and community service. The exhibit also honors the broader contributions of Carrabelle’s African-American community, highlighting their vital roles in shaping the town’s early history and culture. Visitors are invited to celebrate these remarkable lives and achievements.

There is no fee for this program but donations are gladly accepted to defray costs. Sponsored by C-Quarters Marina and Shaun Donahoe Realty. For more information, contact carrabellehistorymuseum@gmail.com or 850-697-2141.   Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

CARRABELLE CULTURE CRAWL  |  Saturday, March 22, 2025, 10 am to 3 pm 

This cultural event is a free celebration of amazing local culture, art, music, history, food, and fun in the heart of downtown Carrabelle. The Culture Crawl is a wonderful opportunity to add a bit more fun as you experience the wonderful local culture that Carrabelle has to offer.  

MUSIC
Live music and entertainment will be enjoyed on the streets of Carrabelle, with Florida folk music, classic country, modern songs, and favorite oldies. A variety of musicians performed outdoors for all to enjoy CHECK BACK ON THIS PAGE TO SEE THE LINEUP ONCE IT'S ANNOUNCED

Interact with the fun, costumed characters from the Fishy Fashion Show wandering the streets. These walking photo ops are a fan-favorite at the Crawl. 

ART
Art will abound at the Carrabelle Culture Crawl featuring some local artists and artisans. There will be art to view at a variety of shops and galleries. The always popular public art drawing and coloring activity will be hung in storefront windows. And be sure to stroll over to see Carrabelle’s two large, stunning murals!

HISTORY
Come learn about the culture and local history of the area by visiting the exhibits at the Carrabelle History Museum on Avenue B including the Shipwrecks of Dog Island exhibit and Native People’s exhibit plus discover the booms and busts of Carrabelle’s past like the by-gone eras when local logging and lumber merchants, steamships, and shrimping vessels lined the vast and deep Carrabelle River.

STAY TUNED... MORE EXCITING ELEMENTS OF THE CRAWL TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON 

Volunteers and Sponsors are needed!   

Funding in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

MUSEUM INFORMATION

 

ADDRESS: 106 SE Ave B, Carrabelle, FL 32322
PHONE: (850) 697-2141
EMAIL: carrabellehistorymuseum@gmail.com
Wednesday & Sunday: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Visit us in the heart of downtown. The Museum is one block south of US 98. Turn south on Marine Street and left (east) at the first corner, 3rd building on your left.  CHM is within walking distance to the Carrabelle Visitors Center.

 

DONATE TO THE MUSEUM

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Funded in part by Franklin County Tourist Development Council