Forest Capital Museum State Park is in Perry, North Florida. It is on the U. S. Highway 19 south(just beyond the city limits)
This is a slice of the old Florida and how people lived over a century ago. The museum centres on the importance of the forests to this part of Florida.
You will visit the old cracker home stead that was built in 1864 and is absolutely typical of the cracker houses of this region. It is furnished with antiques of the era and you will also see old farm tools on display
Around the house is no grass, but sand. This was to protect against snakes and the risk of fire. The child of the family would normally be set the task of keeping the sand tidy by brushing it with a bush every day.
The garden is planted with the same crops as they would have been 120 years ago; beans, collard greens, turnips and sugar cane. The sugar was extracted from the cane and made into syrup and poured over meat and vegetables and even bread.
There are some out buildings by the house, including a corn crib barn. A corn crib barn is a sort of half dog trot barn with a space through the middle. Think of it as an old time garage; except that rather than cars, wagons would be parked.
You may be intrigued by the name cracker and it is thought that name derives from the men who drove the cattle; as they used the whips to drive the animals along, the whip made a cracking noise. Thus, the herds men were called crackers and their homes the cracker house.
By the cracker house is a museum that is devoted to the history of forestation and the use of the wood through history. There are 5000 products made from the trees and so this was a vital part of the ares economy.
There is a stunning map of Florida where each county is carved from its own most common wood. Also many turpentine exhibits. The museum itself is made from Pine and cypress and is octagonal in shape.
The grounds have long leaf pines and live oak trees and are very well looked after. Some of the pines are an impressive 75 feet high. Also you will spot coontie, myrtle, honey suckle and hydrangea. Among the fruits grown are figs, grape and pomegranet
There is a good pic nic area and a gift shop so you can take home a souvenir.
This state park is only open thursday to monday from 9. a. m. to 12 p. m and 1. pm. to 5. p. m
Forest Capital Museum State Park
204 Forest Park Drive
Perry, Florida 32348
Phone: 850-584-3227
This is a slice of the old Florida and how people lived over a century ago. The museum centres on the importance of the forests to this part of Florida.
You will visit the old cracker home stead that was built in 1864 and is absolutely typical of the cracker houses of this region. It is furnished with antiques of the era and you will also see old farm tools on display
Around the house is no grass, but sand. This was to protect against snakes and the risk of fire. The child of the family would normally be set the task of keeping the sand tidy by brushing it with a bush every day.
The garden is planted with the same crops as they would have been 120 years ago; beans, collard greens, turnips and sugar cane. The sugar was extracted from the cane and made into syrup and poured over meat and vegetables and even bread.
There are some out buildings by the house, including a corn crib barn. A corn crib barn is a sort of half dog trot barn with a space through the middle. Think of it as an old time garage; except that rather than cars, wagons would be parked.
You may be intrigued by the name cracker and it is thought that name derives from the men who drove the cattle; as they used the whips to drive the animals along, the whip made a cracking noise. Thus, the herds men were called crackers and their homes the cracker house.
By the cracker house is a museum that is devoted to the history of forestation and the use of the wood through history. There are 5000 products made from the trees and so this was a vital part of the ares economy.
There is a stunning map of Florida where each county is carved from its own most common wood. Also many turpentine exhibits. The museum itself is made from Pine and cypress and is octagonal in shape.
The grounds have long leaf pines and live oak trees and are very well looked after. Some of the pines are an impressive 75 feet high. Also you will spot coontie, myrtle, honey suckle and hydrangea. Among the fruits grown are figs, grape and pomegranet
There is a good pic nic area and a gift shop so you can take home a souvenir.
This state park is only open thursday to monday from 9. a. m. to 12 p. m and 1. pm. to 5. p. m
Forest Capital Museum State Park
204 Forest Park Drive
Perry, Florida 32348
Phone: 850-584-3227