Seminole County GenWeb
The Museum of Seminole County History highlights Seminole County, the historical gateway to interior Central Florida. The area has gone through periods of great importance militarily and as the area’s transportation hub, and more recently as an agricultural leader. With the growth of tourism in Central Florida, Seminole County is now becoming one of the “desired” suburban neighborhoods in Central Florida.
THE BUILDING: The museum is housed in a building the locals called “the County Home.” It is the only “Old Folks Home” still in existence in Florida. This one of a kind building has become an enduring part of the history of Seminole County. It was constructed in 1926 when the county was only 12 years old!
In 1925, the Board of County Commissioners approved the purchase of 82 acres of land in a remote area several miles from Sanford, the County Seat. One year later the commission approved the construction of two buildings to serve as living quarters, one for whites and one for blacks, for those persons who were in need of a place to stay or had no one to care for them.
Each resident had a private room and there was a sharing of chores and activities that established a family atmosphere. A large orange grove provided some income, and a vegetable garden, chickens and dairy cows helped to make the home almost self sufficient.
By 1940 the number of residents had declined and all were placed in the main building. The second building became the Infirmary for Home residents and the nearby convict camp. All buildings were closed in 1964.
In 1965 this building was converted into offices for the County Agricultural and the Home Demonstration Agent. It was known as the Agricultural Building until November, 1980, when the new agricultural building was completed and this building was vacated. In 1982 the county commission approved the establishment of an historical museum in the vacant building. The formal opening was November, 1983
CAMPHOR TREE: Camphor trees, an import from China, have become indigenous to Florida. The large tree on the right as you enter the building is the second largest in the state of Florida.
THE MUSEUM - ROOM BY ROOM:
FOX PERIOD ROOM: Typical furnishings of a professional person’s household in Sanford at the turn of the century. Brought by steamboat to Sanford.
DAR ROOM: Furnished by the Sanford Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Contains mementos of the Revolutionary War and promotes patriotism in the community and in the schools.
3 FORTS/3 LAKES: Detailed information of the role played by Lakes Monroe, Jesup, and Harney, and Forts Mellon, Reid, and Lane in the Second Seminole Indian War (1837-42).
TRANSPORTATION: Information about the St. Johns River Steamboat traffic and the Railroad Lines during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the County.
COUNTY SERVICES: History and artifacts of the sheriff’s, firemen’s, and government organizations in Seminole County.
HOSPITAL: Artifacts from early Sanford hospitals.
SCHOOLROOM: Early primary schoolroom.
COUNTRY STORE: Room filled with items typically found in a country store.
AGRICULTURE: Story and items dealing with the celery culture prominent in Seminole County under the 1950’s. Sanford’s nickname once was “The Celery City.”
FORESTRY/LIVESTOCK: Items and explanation of the local turpentine, forestry, and cattle industries.
LIBRARY: Books and maps of Florida, Central Florida, and Seminole County pertaining to its history and development.
DR. FRENCH ROOM: Furniture and artifacts from the home of Dr. Seth French, prominent surgeon in the War Between the States.
PERIOD KITCHEN AND BATH: Circa early 1920s.
FLORIDA AND DINING ROOMS: Circa early 1920s.
SLEEPING ROOM: Artifacts given by early residents of the area. Most brought with them when they moved to Seminole County.