Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology
Located at 307 SE 26th Terrace, Ocala, FL 34471, the Marion County Museum of History and Archaeology is a research institution that displays artifacts from Marion County’s history. The museum has a wide range of artifacts, from ancient bones to more recent items. A number of items are donated by people in Marion County.
The museum also displays photographs of the area and documents from Marion County. In the East Hall Museum, for example, you can view photographs of Marion County in the 1930s. During that time, Marion County was home to naval stores and lumber grew in other industries. In addition, turpentine grew in Marion County, which helped keep the city going during the down years. A fantastic to read
The museum recently received 640 artifacts. Among these artifacts are a Second Seminole War rifle, a detailed model of the W.H. Fore Homestead, and maps of Marion County railroads. Among other items, you can find a large wooden canoe used by indigenous Floridians thousands of years ago.
The museum’s genealogical section is also very impressive. Many artifacts trace back to John Cromartie, a Marion County justice of the peace. Some of the artifacts are legal papers. Other artifacts come from random visitors or from people who donate items to the museum.
The museum’s collection also includes items relating to Ocala resident Louis Dosh. Dosh was a former West Point graduate who spent two years engaging in guerilla activity in jungles. When his health deteriorated, he surrendered to the Japanese. The museum recently acquired many of his items. The display case has items from his home, as well as his typewriter.
The museum is operated by volunteers. You can take a self-guided tour. However, if you would like a guided tour, you can schedule a time with a guide. Many of the guides are members of the Marion County Historical Association. They are happy to spend a couple hours explaining the museum’s artifacts to you.
If you want to learn more about Marion County, you can visit the museum on a Saturday. They are open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and admission is $2.00 per adult. However, children under five years of age are free.
In addition to its extensive genealogical section, the museum also contains artifacts relating to Marion County’s history. One display case has a typewriter from the Ocala Evening Star newspaper office. Another display case has medicine bottles from the late 1800s. A wooden canoe found by chance, and a display of animal bones are also on display. Next article here
The museum is a good place to learn about Marion County history, and it should be on your list of places to visit. However, there is a lot of work still to be done. The museum hopes to one day have an annex. As the collection grows, the museum will continue to add more displays to help visitors understand the area’s history. The museum is open every Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 pm.