Historical Hidden Gem Museums

Tracing the Growth and Development of West Palm Beach

By Tina Walsh

Shipwrecks, trains, hurricanes, “Black Gold” – the search for a better life and tourism all contributed to the development and growth of West Palm Beach. It is a story that has developed over the past three centuries. History lovers can visit these eight small yet intriguing museums to gain insight and knowledge about the historical roots of West Palm Beach. Begin at Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, which gives you an overview of West Palm Beach history. The other museums allow visitors to gain in-depth knowledge on specific factors that contributed to the growth and development of West Palm Beach. Each is a hidden gem and many of these museums are free.

Richard And Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum

To gain an overview of growth and development of West Pam Beach, start at Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum in downtown West Palm Beach. This museum is in the historic 1916 Courthouse at 300 N Dixie Highway. The restoration of this historic building is a marvel – details are available at the museum. The museum is operated by the Historical Society of Palm Beach County. Through interactive galleries, this museum tells the story of the earliest days of inhabitation by Natives Americans and shipwreck survivors through the post-Civil War population influx, the 1920’s land boom, the impact of fertile agriculture fields west of the city around Lake Okeechobee and how tourism drove growth from the beginning of West Palm Beach’s development. This museum is open Monday to Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm. Admission is free.

Sd Spady Cultural Arts Museum

For more information on how people of African descent arrived and thrived in Palm Beach County, visit Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. It is dedicated to discovering, collecting, and sharing Black history and heritage of Palm Beach County. It is housed in the former house of Solomon David Spady, a prominent African American educator and community leader in Delray Beach from 1922 to 1957. It is a destination for people of all cultures seeking information about Florida’s early Black communities and culture. These populations established themselves during the pre-Civil War period due to immigration from the Caribbean and the post-Civil War period due to the influx of freed slaves from bordering states. The museum galleries artfully exhibit the talents and influences of Palm Beach County African Americans, Caribbean-Americans and Haitian-Americans in medicine, education, and the arts. Located at 170 NW Fifth Avenue in Delray Beach, the museum is open Tuesday to Saturday, 11:00am to 4:00pm. The museum hosts Ride & Remember Trolley Tours and Walking Tours. For more information on these tours, dial 561-279-8883 or email spadymuseum@gmail.com.

LAWRENCE E. WILL MUSEUM

If you are interested in how the early Native American lived and the impact of agriculture on the growth of Palm Beach County, visit Lawrence E. Will Museum. The museum is located about an hour west of West Palm Beach at 530 Main Street in Belle Glade, FL. This museum brings to life the entire “Glades” experience from the earliest Native Americans to the agricultural prosperity of today. The Glades region, which is centred around the southern rim of Lake Okeechobee, is the entryway to the Florida Everglades and home to fertile soil called “Black Gold”. From early years of community growth to survival and rebuilding after massive hurricanes and pivoting to sugarcane production to developing pro and collegiate football players, Belle Glade has contributed to the financial stability and evolution of the region. The Will Museum has a large collection of prehistoric artifacts from the early Native American settlers, referred to as the “Water People”. The history of agriculture in the area is detailed through a series of displays. Also, there is an exhibit of the aftermath of the 1928 hurricane which killed an estimated 3,000, flooding the area and putting much of the Glades underwater for weeks. The museum is open 10:00am to 2:30pm Monday to Thursday.

for himself and his second wife. Built in 1902, the 100,000 square foot Gilded Age mansion is a monument to the opulent days of the early 1900s in Palm Beach. The museum has an exhibition dedicated to the railroad, including Flagler’s own railway car. Guided and self-guided tours are available for visitors to learn about the early days of Palm Beach and how a shipwreck filled with coconuts was the reason Henry Flagler gave Palm Beach its name. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday, 12:00pm to 5:00pm. The admission is $26.00.

Henry Morrison Flagler Museum

Creating a railroad that would carry people from as far north as Michigan to South Florida and building several palatial hotels to welcome tourists was the vision of Henry Flagler. These two factors – trains and tourism – were the biggest contributors to the growth and development of West Palm Beach. To explore their impact, visit Henry Morrison Flagler Museum on Palm Beach Island. Also known as Whitehall, this mansion was Henry Flagler’s personal winter residence

The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum

If you are interested in the role architecture and tourism played in the growth of Palm Beach County, visit The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum. This museum is owned and operated by the Boca Raton Historical Society. The museum has an entire room devoted to architect Addison Mizner. The Schmidt Museum brings to life the mind of this man who dramatically impacted the architecture of Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach. It includes architectural drawings and images of the architect’s plans for a resort enclave that grew into the town of Boca Raton. The museum also contains informative galleries describing the role of agriculture, Native Americans, and people of African descent in the history of this area. The Schmidt Boca Raton History Museum is in the historic Town Hall at 71 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton, FL. This museum is open Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 10:00am - 4:00pm. The admission price is $12.00 for adults and the first Saturday of each month is free.

Jupiter Lighthouse And Museum

Shipwrecks played a major role in how Europeans came to West Palm Beach and the surrounding county. To learn more about their impact, visit Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and Museum. This attraction is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of the 120-acre federally designated Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse Outstanding Natural Area. Climbing tours of the lighthouse are offered daily at 12:00pm and 2:00pm, Tuesday through Sunday. The Lighthouse is located just off US Highway 1 in Jupiter, Florida, on the north side of the Jupiter Inlet. As of March 13, 2023, the US 1 Bridge will close for replacement. Due to construction, the building is closed for renovations. The admissions and gift shop are located on the east side of the museum parking lot. Admission to the lighthouse is $12.00 for adults with discounts for seniors, veterans, and children. Children must be 48” tall to climb the lighthouse. The lighthouse is open Tuesday through Sunday 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Dubois House

Just across the Jupiter Inlet in the centre of DuBois Park sits Dubois Pioneer House. Does the daily life of the first European settlers to this area interest you? If so, this is the place to visit. Built in 1898, the DuBois Pioneer Home is one of the last remaining homesteads of its type. It is an example of a self-sufficient south Florida pioneer homestead. Built by the DuBois family, atop a Native American shell midden, this homestead is rich in history and archaeological interest. The midden dates back 6,000 years, making it older than the Egyptian pyramids. The midden is a remnant of one of the last coastal shell mounds in southeast Florida. Discovered at this site are glass beads created in the 1500’s in Murano, Italy. They are believed to be used by Ponce de León to trade with the Native Americans. The Dubois Pioneer Home is open for docent-led tours Tuesdays - Thursdays, 10:00am to 1:00pm. If you are interested in a tour, please email PARK–duboishome@pbcgov.org to confirm the schedule.

Morikami Museum And Japanese Gardens

Boca Raton was home to a Japanese enclave in the early 1900’s, attracted to the area by agriculture. Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens is the place to go and learn more about the life and spirit of these Japanese Pioneers. Visitors will discover a century-old link between Japan and South Florida where a group of young Japanese farmers created a community intent on revolutionizing agriculture in Florida. Their history and experiences in South Florida are documented in a fascinating 15-minute, continuously running film. The museum and gardens are open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:00am to 5:00pm. The museum where you can view the film sits in the middle of a serene Japanese garden. Make sure you allot time to enjoy the gardens and have a refreshment in their cafe. Admission is $15.00 with discounts for seniors, children, and active-duty military. UA