Going Places
Pioneer Florida Museum is a trip back into past
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007  |
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| Photo by THOMAS MICHALSKI |
| The Trilby Depot, left, was built in 1887 for the H.B. Plant Railroad and moved to Pioneer Florida in 1978.One of the amenities of the museum is an opportunity to walk down a typical country road, right, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery. |
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The Pioneer Florida Museum and Village in Dade City is as interesting as it gets when it comes to historic buildings and displays.
You can visit a restored schoolhouse originally built in Lacoochee and a church from Enterprise where people still get married.
In fact, on the day of our visit a couple actually tied the knot in this old church that reeks with nostalgia.
The altar was decorated with grapevines and wild flowers just as it might have been in Florida’s pioneer days.
Susan Bayes greets you at the welcome center that also is the museum. She’s bubbly and spouts antidotes about Florida’s past that makes you believe this Ohio-born and raised lady is a native cracker.
The museum had its beginnings in 1961 when Rudolph Rhode and his sister, Annie, gave 37 pieces of farm implements and tools to the Pasco County Fair Association. The mission of the museum, originally located at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, is to preserve Florida’s history. The present 21-acre grounds were first donated by Emily Larkin in 1973.
“We are quite proud of this museum and all that it has to offer,” Christine Smith, director, said.
The main building is home to the First Ladies of Florida Doll Collection and a large assortment of Roseville pottery. There are mannequins dressed in period clothing, furniture, cameras, jewelry and even an ancient Linotype machine that once was used to publish a local newspaper. The Trilby Depot railroad station, built in 1887 by the old H.B. Plant Railroad, houses train memorabilia.
The buildings on the property were moved from elsewhere and painstakingly renovated to their original form. The John Overstreet House, an early 1860s homestead that once was the Dade City Grammar School, is one of the oldest wood structures in Pasco County. The 1930s-era Cummer Buildings house spinning wheels, weaving implements and a display on the local timber industry.
One of the more interesting structures is the C.C. Smith General Store, a 1920s-era edifice that served Lachoochee area residents for 50 years. Inside are original products, a post office and a checkerboard by an old wood-burning stove. Nearby is the Jack Bromley Shoe Repair Shop that was brought to Dade City from Kansas in 1913.
This museum offers many events. Just recently the annual garden tractor pull drew hundreds of spectators. Coming up Labor Day weekend on Sept. 2-3 is the Pioneer Florida Days Festival that features a Civil War reenactment, an arts and crafts show, an 1800s fashion show and live entertainment.
The Country Christmas Open House on Dec. 15 will offer cane grinding, syrup making, garden tractor pulls and live music. The Farm Festival and 18th Century Annual Quilt Show is scheduled for Feb. 9-10 and the Model Train Show is slated for March 29.
“One of our most popular events is the Black Tie & Blue Jeans Country Ball that will be held on April 19, 2008,” Smith said. “There will be a catered dinner, live music, dancing and a live auction.
Museum entry tickets are a very reasonable $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for kids ages 6 to 18 and free for those 5 and under. Ask about scheduled group tours and renting the Enterprise Methodist Church, the Mabel Jordan Barn and the Gazebo for weddings or family unions.
You also might want to purchase a copy of the Pioneer Family Favorites cookbook for $18 that is in its third printing. It contains all original pioneer recipes. The back pages contain such goodies as Uncle Bud’s gopher, Penn-Dutch meat pudding with hog’s head, rattlesnake, sour lung and goat stew.
The Pioneer Florida Museum is located off Route 52 at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road in Dade City. Take I-275 to I-75 to exit 279 and follow the signs to Dade City. The attraction is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed Sunday and Monday. Call 352-567-0262 or visit www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org.
Thomas Michalski travels around the state to visit various Florida attractions. You can e-mail him at tmichalski@TBNweekly.com.
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Article published on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2007
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