Florida Guide > State Parks
CEDAR KEY MUSEUM STATE PARK
If museums are your thing, then you will not want to miss this interesting State Park. It is situated on the Gulf Coast in Cedar Key.
In the eighteen hundreds Cedar Key was a busy port. The museum has a host of exhibits including Indian artefacts and pencils. There is a comprehensive display of sea shells all put together by Saint Clair Whitman who founded the museum. You will also see items from the civil war and railroad pieces.
Watch the days you go as the museum is open thursday to monday only from 9am to 5pm.
You may also tour his house which has been fully restored and will take you back to another age. This is also only open from thursday to monday but shorter operating hours of 1pm til 4pm. Disabled access to both places is good.
There is a not too demanding nature trail, where you will see squirrels and birds such as doves, mocking birds, jays and wood peckers. Also look out for green tree frogs whic proliferate in the grounds and nature trails.
In the grounds of the museum there are pines, cedars, oaks, palms and lots of other native trees, Especially look out for the Yaupan Holly Tree. The Indians made tea by roasting its leaves. They called it Cassina and by all accounts, it was pretty disgusting.
One of the oldest plants known to man is the cycads, the cootie is part of that family and can be seen here. The ever resourceful Indians ground its root to make a kind of flour (having removed the poison first).
The coming of the railroad connected Cedar Key to Fernandina. Goods transported then included cotton, turps, wood and seafood.
Salt production was also an important part of their economy and was extracted from the sea. A federal army took over the town in 1862 and destroyed the boilers they used for this, hoping to deprive the confederates of income.
Cedar Key Museum State Park is located at 12231 sw 166 ct, Cedar Key, Florida 32625 and the telephone number is 322 543 5330; entrance is one dollar per person.
Whilst in the area, why not also visit Cedar Key Scub Reservation? Salt marshes, swamps. hardwood forests are seen here so perfect for nature lovers and will round off your day nicely. Canoes and kayaks can be rented here and together these two places will give you a really varied day out at little cost.
The contact number for this reserve is 352 543 5567 and it is located on SR24 a mile from Cedar Key museum.
Take a picnic with you with sunscreen and mosquito deterrant.
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