Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville-Weeki Wachee, offers many interesting destinations of historical significance, along with cultural locations.
MORE HISTORY TO DISCOVER
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Florida’s Adventure Coast is brimming with history. Our many historic sites include eight locations listed on the National Register of Historic Places, among others. This itinerary is sure to excite both the curious journeyer and the history buff.
Explore and learn about the many cultures that took part in our Florida’s history – from early Native Americans, to the first settlers who risked everything to uproot and make this their new home.
Discover the localities, marked by history, and enjoy the attractions along the way! This includes an interactive tour called, Tour BVL, established to document the history of downtown Brooksville and to provide a resource where people can learn about and explore the historic homes and buildings located in the City of Brooksville.
CHINSEGUT HILL HISTORIC SITE
Built in 1845, the Chinsegut Hill Historic Site is a stately two-story manor house poised atop one of central Florida’s highest hilltops. It is the centerpiece of a 114-acre estate surrounded by ancient Spanish moss-draped oaks and natural habitat.
On the National Register of Historic Places, the Chinsegut Hill manor house is brimming with artifacts and rich history. During the 1920s and 1930s, when owned by Colonel & Elizabeth Robins, the manor hosted such guests as Thomas Edison, Helen Keller, and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, among others. Today, the historic site is open to the public for tours on weekends.
Explore the diverse stories of Florida’s past…
HISTORICAL GHOST TOURS
THE MAY-STRINGER HOUSE MUSEUM
The May-Stringer House is a four-story, seven-gable, 14 room, gingerbread trimmed “Painted Lady” Victorian-era home overlooking the City of Brooksville. The Hernando Historical Museum Association has created exhibit rooms with a Victorian feel, with several rooms devoted to specific themes such as an Elegant Dining Room, Victorian Bedrooms, Military Room, an 1880’s Doctor’s Office, and a 1900s Communication Room. The house is on the National Register of Historic Places and open to the public for tours.
The May-Stringer House is considered one of the top five haunted locations in Florida, and they offer ghost tours on weekends for those brave enough to experience it.
THE RICHLOAM GENERAL STORE
The Richloam General Store was built and founded by Sidney Brinson on June 28th, 1922. The building served as the Express office, the Post Office, and the general store for the community of Richloam until January 31st, 1936.
Today, visitors are transported back in time as they browse vintage cookware, locally canned jams and preserves and old-fashioned sweets; all authentically correct for the era. Sit in the rocking chairs and relax. Chat with the owners and learn the history of this nostalgic gem.
Richloam General Store has now been added to the United States National Register of Historic Places.
Step back in time to 1928…
THE TRAIN DEPOT MUSEUM
The Train Depot has been in the same location since it was built in 1885. As part of the Rails to Trails program, the old railroad track bed is now the Good Neighbor Trail, running parallel to the Depot. The 1885 Train Depot Museum is made up of four parts. The Office, where passengers came to buy their tickets, arrange for freight shipment, and send telegrams. In this area visitors will learn about the history of Hernando County starting with the Seminole Indian Wars through to early settlements, and the building of the depot.
THE FREIGHT ROOM
The freight room houses train artifacts and displays, including two HO model train exhibits that will delight kids and adults alike. Here you’ll see original objects used by early settlers as they struggled to survive in the wilderness of Florida. On the enclosed dock of the museum, ring the bell or sound the siren of an original 1925 LaFrance Fire Engine; the first fire engine purchased by the City of Brooksville.
COOK UTILITY BOX CAR
After an abandoned box car was discovered in a swampy area southeast of Brooksville in Sumter County, the historic but dilapidated train car was hauled to the Brooksville Train Depot and restored. The work car’s normal function was to transport workers, but the box car could also be used provide space for cooking and eating, sleeping, office work, and machinery operations.
COUNTRYMAN FAMILY ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE
The Countryman Family One Room Schoolhouse is reminiscent of the First Schoolhouse in Hernando County built in 1852 by Fredrick Lykes. A visit to this charming re-creation will transport you back in time to experience school lessons while sitting in authentic wooden desks. Interactive lessons include the three R’s and life skills like carrying water jugs from the local well.
Experience school day traditions and early life in the state of Florida…
EXPLORE ALL HISTORICAL SITES & MARKERS
florida history lives here
The Rich History of Florida's Adventure Coast
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Uncovering the Past at the Richloam General Store
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