In 1893, a 27 yeard-old Frank Stranahan moved to Fort Lauderdale from Ohio. At the time, South Florida was just beginning to be settled by pioneers alongside the local Seminole Indians.

The History Fort Lauderdale museums connect visitors to the past while celebrating the present story of the Fort Lauderdale area.

In 1133 AD, construction of the Monastery of St. Bernard de Clairvaux began in Sacramenia, Spain. When completed in 1141 AD, the Monastery was named ‘The Monastery of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels.’

Often called "The Sunshine City," St. Pete holds the Guinness World Record for the most consecutive days of sunshine 768 days between 1967 and 1969. Today, St. Pete has a laid-back, friendly vibe with a lively arts scene, trendy restaurants and shops.

Charles Deering was an American businessman and philanthropist. He was the son of William Deering, founder of Deering Harvester McCormick-International Harvester Company

The walkable downtown and sparkling bayfront has long been a attracting artists, writers, musicians and the gay community.

Fort Myers first received the gift of electric lighting in 1898, thanks to its famous resident, Thomas Edison who lived here at Seminole Lodge. Edison was unpopular with locals because it was said that the lights kept their cattle awake at night.

The Edison and Ford properties are both on the National Register of Historic Sites and consist of 20 acres of historical buildings and gardens including the 1928 Edison Botanical Research Laboratory.

In 1928, real estate scion Thomas Rowe opened the Don CeSar on St Pete Beach in the heyday of the Gatsby Era.

Today, the most southern part of the mainland USA is a vibrant, laid-back paradise. It is palm trees, colorful buildings, the scent of saltwater in the air mixed with a rich history.

The home the Hemingways acquired home was built in 1851 in the Spanish Colonial style. The home was in real bad shape, but both Ernest and Pauline could see beyond the rubble and ruin and appreciated the grand architecture and stateliness of the home.

Ann set up a foundation for the perpetual maintenance of this home on 2.5 acres which became this permanent green oasis of art, wildlife, subtropical trees and plants.

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is a center for Japanese arts and culture in Delray Beach, Florida.

The Casements, named for the large hand-cut casement-style windows that adorn the mansion, was purchased in 1918 by John Davidson Rockefeller at age 78.

Henry Plant hired New York architect J. A. Wood to design the luxurious Tampa Bay Hotel in the style of a Moorish palace.

The Morse Museum houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Louis C. Tiffany’s work, including jewelry, pottery, paintings, leaded-glass windows and lamps.

James Deering, socialite and antiquities collector built an elaborate Florida villa and estate named Vizcaya on Biscayne Bay in Miami.

In 1924, one of America’s wealthiest couples, started building a fifty-five room, 36,000 square-foot mansion called Ca’ d’Zan (meaning House of John) on Sarasota Bay in Florida.

The Lightner Museum was founded by Chicago publisher and collector Otto C. Lightner in 1947. Lightner was best known as the publisher of Hobbies, The Magazine for Collectors.

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the oldest continuously occupied settlement of European American origin in the United States. The Downtown Historic District is where you will find the majority of the city’s activity.