Although, comparatively speaking, the United States is not particularly old it does take great pride in its history and this can be evidenced in many towns and cities by their willingness to support restoration projects and develop historic districts for the benefit of both residents and visitors. Pensacola, on the Florida panhandle, is no exception and its historic village is well worth a visit.
It is located at the southern tip of the I-110 and can be accessed by leaving the freeway at exit 1-C. Turn left at the first set of lights on to Tarragona Street and a good sized parking lot can be found just four blocks away on Church Street.
The village is home to around twenty historic buildings as well as the T. T Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum and all are conveniently clustered along the length of Zaragoza and Church Streets.
Just to enjoy the colonial feel of the area and some of the brightly painted clapperboard properties may be enough for some, but if it’s history you are seeking Historic Pensacola Village will not disappoint.
The Lavalle House was built in 1805 and is described as French Creole in style. Inside the visitor will find exhibits including butter churns and a rope bed. At the rear of the property old cooking methods are re-enacted and workers, in the costume of the day, tend the herb garden.
The Dorr House is a prime example of post Civil War construction with its pillars, colonnades and first floor balcony.
A little further down the street is the Lear-Rocheblave House built in 1890. Again it is very colonial in appearance but the interior reflects a middle class family home during the Victorian period. Artefacts include a cast iron stove in the kitchen and a stereoscope, together with viewing cards, in the study.
Painted in pristine white Christ Church is a lovely example of one of the oldest places of worship in Florida. Built in 1832 it showcases intricate decorative woodworking and beautiful stained glass windows.
This is just a small sample of what Pensacola Historic Village has to offer and hopefully gives the reader a bit of a flavour of what to expect.
By far the best way to appreciate the village is to enrol on a guided tour which also covers the early history of Pensacola as a Spanish colony. These take place two or three times a day and can last for anything between one and one and half hours.
It is located at the southern tip of the I-110 and can be accessed by leaving the freeway at exit 1-C. Turn left at the first set of lights on to Tarragona Street and a good sized parking lot can be found just four blocks away on Church Street.
The village is home to around twenty historic buildings as well as the T. T Wentworth, Jr. Florida State Museum and all are conveniently clustered along the length of Zaragoza and Church Streets.
Just to enjoy the colonial feel of the area and some of the brightly painted clapperboard properties may be enough for some, but if it’s history you are seeking Historic Pensacola Village will not disappoint.
The Lavalle House was built in 1805 and is described as French Creole in style. Inside the visitor will find exhibits including butter churns and a rope bed. At the rear of the property old cooking methods are re-enacted and workers, in the costume of the day, tend the herb garden.
The Dorr House is a prime example of post Civil War construction with its pillars, colonnades and first floor balcony.
A little further down the street is the Lear-Rocheblave House built in 1890. Again it is very colonial in appearance but the interior reflects a middle class family home during the Victorian period. Artefacts include a cast iron stove in the kitchen and a stereoscope, together with viewing cards, in the study.
Painted in pristine white Christ Church is a lovely example of one of the oldest places of worship in Florida. Built in 1832 it showcases intricate decorative woodworking and beautiful stained glass windows.
This is just a small sample of what Pensacola Historic Village has to offer and hopefully gives the reader a bit of a flavour of what to expect.
By far the best way to appreciate the village is to enrol on a guided tour which also covers the early history of Pensacola as a Spanish colony. These take place two or three times a day and can last for anything between one and one and half hours.