Florida's Gulf Islands Visitors Guide® 2008 - (Page 30) Makeday of it a Museums & History Anna Maria Island Historical Museum 402 Pine Ave. Anna Maria Island 941-778-0492 www.amihs.org The museum was an icehouse built in 1920. Exhibits include rare old photos, maps and vintage clothing. Photo opportunities in the City Jail and tours of Historic Belle Haven Cottage and gardens. Allow 30 to 45 minutes. Map grid A-4. Florida’s Gulf Islands offers ample opportunities to discover its varied, colorful past: amble through historic villages, visit artifact-filled museums, and explore archeological parks and plantations. DeSoto National Memorial 8300 De Soto Memorial Hwy. Bradenton, 941-792-0458 www.nps.gov/deso Commemorates the landing of the 1539 expedition of Hernando De Soto. The natural setting allows the public to experience the coastal mangrove environment that confronted the Spanish upon arrival. Map grid C-4. G.WIZ - The Hands-On Science Museum 1001 Boulevard of the Arts Sarasota, 941-309-4949 www.gwiz.org Discover the cool side of science with 85 hands-on exhibits the whole family can explore together. Special exhibition: “King Tut” through Mar. 2008. Allow 1.5 hours. Map grid E-8. $-$$ Palmetto Historical Park 515 - 10th Ave. W., Palmetto 941-723-4991 www.manateeclerk.com Four restored buildings from early Palmetto including: Heritage Station Post Office (1880), Schoolhouse, Cottage Museum and Carnegie Library (1914), as well as Heritage Chapel. Map grid D-4. Family Heritage House Museum 5840 - 26th St. W. Bradenton, 941-752-5319 www.familyheritagehouse.com Artifacts, literature and other resources about the history and cultural achievements of African Americans. It is a research center for the Underground Railroad Series of NPS. Allow 1 hour. Map grid D-6. Historic Spanish Point 337 N. Tamiami Trl. Osprey, 941-966-5214 www.historicspanishpoint.org Sarasota County’s premier environmental, archeological and historic site featuring pioneer homestead, nature trails and exhibits. This 30-acre National Register historic site is located on beautiful Little Sarasota Bay. Allow 2 hours. Map grid E-9. $-$$ Braden Castle Village One Office Dr., 27th St. E. Bradenton, 941-746-7700 The castle was once the heart of a rambling sugar plantation built by Joseph Addison Braden and his brother Hector in the 1840s. The ruins can be seen in Braden Castle Park. Free admission. Map grid E-4. Sarasota Classic Car Museum 5500 N. Tamiami Trl. Sarasota, 941-355-6228 www.sarasotacarmuseum.org More than 100 vintage, classic, muscle and exotic cars plus several “Cars of the Stars.” Huge gift shop with snacks. Open 364 days a year 9 a.m. 6 p.m. Wheelchairs available. Very popular event facility. Allow up to 2 hours. Map grid I-14. Florida Railroad Museum 12210 - 83rd St. E. Parrish, 877-869-0800 www.frrm.org Offering weekend train rides year ’round. Trains depart at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. The 12-mile roundtrip lasts 1.5 hours. Special events occur throughout the year. Allow 1.5 hours. Map grid H-2. $-$$ Cortez Historic Fishing Village Cortez Road & Intracoastal Bridge, Cortez 941-708-6121 www.fishpreserve.org Take a walk through the historic fishing village of Cortez and visit the old fish houses. Listen to locals tell the tale of yesteryear fishing in the bays and waterways of the Gulf of Mexico. Map grid C-5. $ Manatee County Agricultural Museum 1015 Sixth St. W., Palmetto 941-721-2034 www.manateeclerk.com Featuring commodities, equipment and photographs that reflect the rich agricultural heritage of Manatee County. A permanent exhibit of portraits and accomplishments of agriculturists. Map grid D-4. $ South Florida Museum and Bishop Planetarium, Inc. 201 - 10th St. W. Bradenton, 941-746-4131 www.southfloridamuseum.org The largest natural and cultural history museum on Florida’s Gulf Coast. The planetarium features astronomy-related programs, plus sound and light shows. The Parker Aquarium is home to SnootyTM, the manatee. Allow 2 hours. Map grid D-4. $$. See ad on page 35. ANNA MARIA ISLAND LONGBOAT KEY BRADENTON & LAKEWOOD RANCH Manatee Village Historical Park Gamble Plantation Historic State Park 3708 Patten Ave. Ellenton, 941-723-4536 www.floridastateparks.org/ gambleplantation This is the site of a mid-1800s sugar plantation built on the Florida frontier. It is also a memorial to Confederate J.P. Benjamin who is thought to have taken refuge here on his escape to England. Allow 50 minutes. Map grid F-4. $ 1404 Manatee Ave. E. Bradenton 941-749-7165 www.manateeclerk.com A collection of restored and historic buildings from Manatee County’s pioneer past. The park features a courthouse, a one-room schoolhouse, farmhouse, general store, boat shop and a steam engine. Low hunter bunkhouse. Allow 1 to 2 hours. Map grid E-4. $ Crowley Museum and Nature Center 16405 Myakka Rd. Sarasota, 941-322-1000 www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org This “jewel on the Myakka” is a 190-acre wildlife sanctuary and Florida pioneer history museum on the Myakka River. It engages your senses with wild nature trails and historic pioneer buildings. Allow 1.5 hours. Map grid F-8. $ Price: $=Under $8, $$=$8 - $14 $$$=$15 - $24, $$$$=$25+ Page 30 | 1-866-906-TIME to see http://www.nps.gov/deso http://www.gwiz.org http://www.manateeclerk.com http://www.amihs.org http://www.historicspanishpoint.org http://www.familyheritagehouse.com http://www.sarasotacarmuseum.org http://www.frrm.org http://www.manateeclerk.com http://www.fishpreserve.org http://www.southfloridamuseum.org http://www.manateeclerk.com http://www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation http://www.crowleymuseumnaturectr.org
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