Carrabelle’s Museum Day

On Saturday, October 5, 2024, Carrabelle’s three museums—Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, Carrabelle History Museum, and Crooked River Lighthouse Museum—will offer free admission as part of the annual Museum Day celebration. Each museum will feature special activities or exhibits focused on the theme “Pieces of History,” highlighting unique interpretations of historical fragments. Visitors can explore WWII artifacts and vintage military vehicles at Camp Gordon Johnston, Carrabelle’s unique prehistoric past at the Carrabelle History Museum, and the allure of a historic Fresnel lens at Crooked River Lighthouse, each contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the Forgotten Coast.

ALL THREE CARRABELLE MUSEUMS JOIN

TOGETHER FOR MUSEUM DAY

(CARRABELLE, FL) September 5, 2024 – Carrabelle’s three museums will open their doors free of charge on Saturday, October 5, for their annual Museum Day celebration. Camp Gordon Johnston Museum, Carrabelle History Museum, and Crooked River Lighthouse Museum will host special activities and exhibits. Camp Gordon Johnston Museum will be open from 11 am–5 pm, Carrabelle History Museum from 10 am–5 pm, and Crooked River Lighthouse from 9 am–5 pm. Visitors can also enjoy the extended Country Market at Crooked River Lighthouse from 9 am–3 pm, featuring crafts, baked goods, and produce. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.

Each year, Museum Day shines a spotlight on culture, science, and history, and this year’s theme is “Pieces of History”. Carrabelle’s museums will each commemorate it with their own unique focus and interpretation, from intricate Native American pottery shards and shells unearthed from ancient middens, to the powerful artifacts of WWII and the historic Fresnel lens that guided sailors to safety. Visitors will learn how these pieces of the past reveal stories of cultural practices, military valor, and technological innovations. Visitors are invited to explore how each piece of history contributes to a broader understanding and provides insights into the diverse stories of Carrabelle’s past.

Author and speaker Robert Jacob will be featured at two locations on Museum Day. Robert has over 50 years of experience in living history portrayals and is passionate about dispelling myths and inaccuracies found in historical records. He has written several books, including A Pirate’s Life in the Golden Age of Piracy, Pirates of the Florida Coast: Truths, Legends, and Myths, and Blackbeard: The Truth Revealed. He will be at the Crooked River Lighthouse from 9 am – 12 pm for a book signing and informal discussions and upstairs at the Carrabelle History Museum from 2 pm – 4 pm for a book signing and to discuss the Pirates of the Florida West Coast.

INFORMATION ON THE MUSEUMS

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum – Honors the military men and women who trained in Carrabelle and Franklin County from 1942 to 1946. The museum houses numerous military artifacts, photos, and even a few military vehicles. Located at 1873 Highway 98 W. campgordonjohnston.com

Carrabelle History Museum – Features local exhibits including Carrabelle’s Native People, Shipwrecks of Dog Island, the Steamship “Tarpon”, the World’s Smallest Police Station,  Tate’s Hell the Legend, Tate’s Hell the Place and more.. Located at 106 SE Avenue B. carrabellehistorymuseum.org

Crooked River Lighthouse – Highlights the history and the science of the lighthouse through exhibits like a historical setting of the early 1900’s, lighthouse beacons, methods of building a skeletal tower lighthouse and the original 1895 Fresnel lens. Located at 1975 Hwy 98 W. crookedriverlighthouse.com