Orman House is located in Apalachicola off the U. S. 98. It underwent more renovation in the autumn of 1998.
This home was built in 1838 for one Thomas Orman. Orman was a businessman who traded mainly in cotton. He built this tiny town up in to one of the major cotton exporting port.
He arrived in Florida in 1836 as a sugar trader from New Orleans. He met a local girl called Sarah who was a secessionist and they were married. In due course they had a son who in his turn presented them with a grand daughter. She had no children so the home was left to a nephew and Ormans line died out.
The house is built in Greek Revival Anebellum style and was designed to withstand the many extremes of Florida weather. It started life as a four room house looking over the lovely Apalachicola Bay.
The porches on both floors protect the house from the sun and rain yet allow cooling breezes in.
The internal decor is predominantly ornate; note the mantle pices and the plaster cornices. Also study the front door which has deeply carved acanthus leaves as a frieze. The granite steps were moved from a cotton ware house on Water Street. Wide, wide floor boards continue the gracious theme of this home once hosted business meetings and glamorous social events.
In 1895 an extention was added which makes the home a more stately almost 4000 square feet. There is also now a swimming pool.
Fortunately, the family have left behind a wealth of documents that inform us of their life and times. This includes the tale of Sarah dragging a large barrel on to the roof of the house to signal to the returning confederate troops.
Of course the house has its resident ghosts who are no doubt enjoying all the life brought to the home by the visitors. Maybe one of them is Sarah still trying to get that darn barrel onto the roof!
Also of note is the statue that stands at the front of the house. This is formed of three soldiers and was inspired by the 3 servicemen statue that stands in Washington D. C.
It is best to take the guided tour which take place at 10. A. M. and 4. P. M on thursday, friday, saturday, sunday and monday. This costs you only $2 for an adult and free of charge for children.
Orman House
177 5th Street
Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Phone: 850-653-1209
This home was built in 1838 for one Thomas Orman. Orman was a businessman who traded mainly in cotton. He built this tiny town up in to one of the major cotton exporting port.
He arrived in Florida in 1836 as a sugar trader from New Orleans. He met a local girl called Sarah who was a secessionist and they were married. In due course they had a son who in his turn presented them with a grand daughter. She had no children so the home was left to a nephew and Ormans line died out.
The house is built in Greek Revival Anebellum style and was designed to withstand the many extremes of Florida weather. It started life as a four room house looking over the lovely Apalachicola Bay.
The porches on both floors protect the house from the sun and rain yet allow cooling breezes in.
The internal decor is predominantly ornate; note the mantle pices and the plaster cornices. Also study the front door which has deeply carved acanthus leaves as a frieze. The granite steps were moved from a cotton ware house on Water Street. Wide, wide floor boards continue the gracious theme of this home once hosted business meetings and glamorous social events.
In 1895 an extention was added which makes the home a more stately almost 4000 square feet. There is also now a swimming pool.
Fortunately, the family have left behind a wealth of documents that inform us of their life and times. This includes the tale of Sarah dragging a large barrel on to the roof of the house to signal to the returning confederate troops.
Of course the house has its resident ghosts who are no doubt enjoying all the life brought to the home by the visitors. Maybe one of them is Sarah still trying to get that darn barrel onto the roof!
Also of note is the statue that stands at the front of the house. This is formed of three soldiers and was inspired by the 3 servicemen statue that stands in Washington D. C.
It is best to take the guided tour which take place at 10. A. M. and 4. P. M on thursday, friday, saturday, sunday and monday. This costs you only $2 for an adult and free of charge for children.
Orman House
177 5th Street
Apalachicola, Florida 32320
Phone: 850-653-1209