While sun and sand are a great reason to enjoy our Amelia Island beachfront rentals, most people need some time indoors. Not only that, but sometimes the weather does not cooperate with a planned fishing trip or stroll around town.
If you are interested in learning some history, it’s a great time to check out the museums near Amelia Island.
Amelia Island has several museums, each with its own niche. You can easily choose one based on your interests, such as the importance of ships and boats to Amelia Island or various kinds of artwork. But for us, one of the best things to do on Amelia Island is to visit the Amelia Island Museum of History.
About the Amelia Island Museum of History
One of the unique things about Amelia Island is that it enjoys a rich history. That history stretches back to long before Europeans arrived in the New World. It was even a major hub for pirates, as well as legitimate shipping on the Atlantic Ocean.
The History Museum captures much of the rich history of Fernandina Beach and the rest of the island. It was founded in 1975 when a group of residents, concerned that the island’s history could be lost, decided to preserve artifacts of the past. Soon, they raised enough money to open their Museum in an old railroad depot.
As the museum grew, its leadership realized that there wasn’t enough space to house the collection and receive visitors. When the county closed the old Amelia Island jail, the museum board leased the jail from the county. This jail is now owned by the museum and has become its permanent home.
Permanent Exhibits
Like many museums, the Amelia Island Museum of History has both permanent and temporary exhibits. Many of the temporary exhibits are seasonal or touch on a specific historical topic not covered in the permanent exhibits.
At The Water’s Edge, you’ll enjoy a presentation of the geography and natural characteristics of Amelia Island. This also covers why the island is historically important.
History buffs will love The Civil War exhibit! A glance into Amelia Island’s role in the war, including its Union Army fort. Be sure to also check out Maritime Way of Life to see how Amelia Island’s economy was dependent on seafaring.
As you can see, there’s something for the whole family at the Amelia Island Museum of History.
Tours
Functioning like many historical societies, the Museum of History offers several tours. These include the 8-Flags Tour, a ghost tour, and a pub crawl. The 8-Flags Tour discusses the history of Fernandina Beach and other parts of the island.
People who love scary stories might appreciate the ghost tour, which happens after dark and covers the spookier aspect of history. Finally, the pub crawl showcases Amelia Island’s historic pubs, including the oldest operating bar in the state.
If you’re coming as part of a group, you can book other tours with the museum. Most notably, the walking tour of Fernandina Beach lets you see all the lovely old buildings in the downtown area. At the same time, you will learn the history from a well-trained tour guide.
Plan Your Visit to Amelia Island
Spend your time unwinding along the nearby beaches or lounging in your cozy living space between museum exhibits, our rentals are perfect for it all! We look forward to seeing you on Amelia Island.
Hours & Pricing
The Museum is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. During that time, you can get a one-hour 8-Flags Tour at 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.
On Sunday, the museum is open from 1 to 4 p.m., with a tour at 2 p.m.
The 8-Flags Tour is included with admission.
Pricing for adults is $10, military and seniors $8, children five and below $5, and students with an ID $5. Other tours mentioned above have separate fees.
Where to Stay
Amelia Island has a lot of lovely historic places. It’s also a great place to enjoy the beautiful Northern Florida weather, the sun, the sand, and the ocean. No matter your interests, there’s a lot for any family to see while visiting here. But one thing every traveler needs is a place to stay.
That’s where we come in. We have a large selection of Amelia Island condo rentals. You can choose one with the pool, or one without. Our condos come in many different sizes, shapes, and amenities profiles. We even have options that can host more than 10 people, so if you have a family reunion or a large immediate family, we can help.
Best of all, our Amelia Island condo rentals are a luxurious and spacious way to stay and play in this island paradise. Enjoy important amenities like laundry facilities and a fully equipped kitchen in addition to enjoying community amenity access, pools, and so much more!