Established in 1824 as the state’s capital city, Tallahassee is well known for its history, trees and culture. And one of the city’s many museums does more than put those attributes on display – it brings it to life.
The Tallahassee Museum is more than its name; it is a living collection of all things Florida. Established in 1957 and lush with North Florida’s native flora and fauna on 52 acres of land in the southwestern section of the city, the museum gives visitors a glimpse into Florida’s rawest and most natural form.
The museum offers something new to over 100,000 adventurers who visit each year. Whether it be ziplining through long leaf pine and cypress trees on the Tree-to-Tree adventure, encountering dozens of wildlife residents, or strolling through an old plantation house, there is something for everyone.
Visitors walk into the Tallahassee Museum Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
What makes the Tallahassee Museum special?
Otters, panthers, alligators, black bears and other endangered species live on the property in enclosures that have been hardly altered since all the animals are native to the area and comfortable in the climate.
Throughout the year, the museum welcomes guest animals to stay a while. Past visitors have been dingoes, capybara and most recently foxes.
But make no mistake, the museum does not identify as a zoo, which is often accompanied by the expectation of being entertained. Most of the wildlife at the museum have been rescued and have birth defects or missing limbs. Some were adopted after they were domesticated and lack the necessary instincts to survive on their own.
The bald eagle exhibit at the Tallahassee Museum Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
In addition, visitors get the chance to walk through Florida history in four historical and original buildings on the property.
Climb into the bright red Seaboard caboose train car to learn about Florida’s market and transportation industry from the 1920s. Sit in the desks of the old Concord Schoolhouse, originally built in 1897 during the Reconstruction era to educate the children of former slaves.
Grace the pews of the Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, established in 1851 as Florida’s first regularly organized Black church. Lounge in the Bellevue Plantation House, originally owned by Princess Catherine Murat, a Tallahassee resident, a distant relative of President George Washington and a French royal by marriage.
The red wolf inside their enclosure at the Tallahassee Museum Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
When and how to go
The majority of the museum’s offerings are outdoors, which can bring some discomfort during the sweltering heat of Florida’s summertime. On the positive side, the season can be most attractive with the bloom of pollinator gardens bringing native butterflies to the area, or the return of Red Wolf litters.
There are also a number of annual festivals hosted throughout the year on the property, including the Tallahassee Jazz and Blues Festival held in April.
For those looking to visit, the museum is just a few minutes from the Tallahassee International Airport.
The alligator exhibit at the Tallahassee Museum Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024.
The Tallahassee Museum
Where: 3945 Museum Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Hours: The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.
Entrance Fees: General admission for adults is $15.50. For college students with I.D. and those over the age of 65 the cost is $14.50. Children ages 4 to 15 are $11 and children under 3 are free. Tree to tree adventures tickets range from $21 to $55 and are available online for purchase.
Members receive free admission, discounted additional tickets and other special offers. Visitors can purchase memberships online. For more information visit tallahasseemuseum.org.
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Alaijah Brown covers children & families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Hidden Gem: Uncover Florida’s raw history at the Tallahassee Museum
