Cedar Key Museum State Park

About Cedar Key Museum State Park

In the 19th century it was a thriving port and railway link, and the exhibition presents the eventful history of that time. Whitman's house was renovated in the 1920s and borders the park. Part of the collection includes shells and Native American artifacts collected during the American Indian War and World War II, as well as U.S. Navy artifacts.

A short nature trail offers visitors the opportunity to see a variety of plants, animals, birds and other animals, as well as the museum's collection of artifacts. The exhibit, museum grounds and hiking trail are visible from the parking lot of the Cedar Key Museum and State Park.

Located on State Road 24, near Museum Drive, the museum is open Thursday through Monday from 10: 00 to 17: 00, closed on Christmas Day and open Friday through Sunday from 11: 30 to 17: 45.

All exhibits of the museum are accessible to visitors with disabilities and the museum is open Monday to Friday from 10: 00 to 17: 45, closed on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. The museum is open Thursday to Monday from 11.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. and Friday to Sunday from 12.05 p.m. to 6.25 p.m.

Augustus Steel settled in Cedar in the early 1840s and by 1861 Cedar was flourishing as one of the most important ports on the east coast of Florida. The busy port of Cedar Key was connected by the David Yulee Cross Florida Railroad, which connected the East Coast of South Florida and the Gulf of Mexico with the West Coast and then Florida via the Cross - Florida Railway.

The railways transported wood, turpentine, cotton, seafood and passengers, and salt was an important commodity in the 19th century. In 1862, the US army attacked from the sea and conquered the city. During the war, the salt of the Confederate States was mined.

The boiler itself was destroyed by the armed forces, depriving the Confederates of a much-needed salt supply, a key component of their food supply.

A short educational trail offers visitors the opportunity to visit the historic buildings of the museum and the historical site of the Civil War. The museum exhibits include a collection of war objects, which can be seen both on the museum grounds and on the hiking trail.

The S-R-24 will take you to West Cedar Key and once in town follow the signs to the museum located at 12231 SW 166th Court.