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 1933 during the Depression as a work program to employ locals. The museum has exhibits rooms to display collections, a large entry hall for special displays, and a workroom/office for the volunteers to process the incoming artifacts. We have several displays that highlight Local Heroes; 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.
CARRABELLE MUSEUMS JOIN SMITHSONIAN MAGAZINE’S MUSEUM DAY
Carrabelle’s three museums will open their doors free of charge on Saturday September 17, 2022 as part of Smithsonian Magazine’s 18th Annual Museum Day, a national celebration of boundless curiosity. This national celebration honors museums that follow the example of the Smithsonian with free admission. 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. Museum Day shines a spotlight on incredible arts, culture, sciences, innovation and history exhibits across the country. For more information, please visit Smithsonianmag.com/MuseumDay.
Funded in part by Franklin County Tourist Development Council