PLACES FOR LOCAL

                HISTORY RESEARCH

                               ~ Libraries, Archives, Museums, & Organizations 

NOTE: For non-web places for genealogy (family history), click here.  You'll jump to a webpage with links to genealogy libraries, societies, & other resources. 

(Source of picture: Florida State Archives)

Click here for info about the photo. 

FAST PHONE GUIDE TO PLACES

FOR LOCAL HISTORY RESEARCH

SPECIFIC PLACES FOR HISTORY RESEARCH WITHIN JACKSONVILLE 

-- Webpages for specific museums, libraries, history societies, etc., that are located in Jacksonville. 

PLACES FOR HISTORY RESEARCH NOT IN JAX 

-- Specific museums, libraries, history societies, etc., that are not located in Jacksonville.

DATABASES OF HISTORY RESEARCH PLACES 

-- These webpages give contact info for many places for history research.  Use them if you can't find what you need with the other links.

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PLACES FOR HISTORY

      LOCATED IN JACKSONVILLE

• ARLINGTON HISTORY -- Homepage for Old Arlington Inc, a non-profit, historic preservation organization in the neighborhood of Arlington.  Old Arlington Inc. serves as a marvelous source for info about its neighborhood's past.

• ARLINGTON HISTORY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Club Helps Keep Old Arlington Alive," by G. Lee Brooker.  Gives info about Old Arlington Inc. 

• ARLINGTON -- OLD ARLINGTON INC. -- Contact info for Old Arlington Inc.  Info provided by City of Jacksonville.

• BEACHES AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Offers an ocean of info about the coastal area of Duval County.  Coverage includes Jacksonville Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, & Mayport, Ponte Vedra, & Palm Valley.  Provides an outstanding archives in Jacksonville Beach.  Fantastic historical museum also located next to the archives.  Contact info provided by FlaMuseums.org.

• BEACHES AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Beaches historical museum will have a 'beach' look,"by Maggie FitzRoy.
   
• BEACHES AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Historical Society floats Beaches museum idea," by Christopher F. Aguilar.

• BEACHES AREA -- PABLO HISTORICAL PARK -- Brief description of a very interesting museum complex in Jacksonville Beach.  Includes a 28-ton steam locomotive, a railroad depot, a restored 19th century house which was once the home of a station master. NOTE: When you get to the page, go about 1/2 way down to obtain the info.

• BEACHES AREA -- PABLO HISTORICAL PARK -- From CulturallyFlaUSA.

• DURKEEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Description of the Durkeeville Historical Society, from DigitalCity.com.  This society serves as an essential organization in the preservation of Jacksonville's African American history.  It may be able to serve as a source of info & contacts for local African American genealogy researchers.  BACKGROUND INFO:  The Durkeeville area of Jacksonville has traditionally been a largely African American neighborhood.

• DURKEEVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Contact info furnished by the City of Jacksonville. 

• EASTSIDE HISTORIC COMMUNITY FOUNDATION -- Contact info for the Eastside Historic Community Foundation.  Info furnished by the City of Jacksonville.

• FLORIDA COLLECTION, MAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY -- One of Jacksonville's best-kept research secrets.  Lots of info & pictures available.  Located in downtown Jacksonville.

• FLORIDA COLLECTION -- HISTORIC NEWSPAPERS -- A listing of the historic newspapers that could be researched at the Florida Collection, Main Public Library.  NOTE: Always call ahead to verify the availability of resources at a place.

• FLORIDA MUSEUM OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH -- Info about a new museum in Jacksonville.  Opened in November, 2002.  Is located in the historic State Board of Health building on Pearl Street.  Info is from a Florida Times-Union article entitled "Old Board of Health Building Opens as Museum," by P. Douglas Filaroski.  

• FLORIDA MUSEUM OF MEDICINE AND PUBLIC HEALTH -- Info provided by the State of Florida.

• FORT CAROLINE NATIONAL MEMORIAL -- This historical attraction is located on the St. Johns River, between downtown Jax & the ocean.  Features a "interpretive model" of Fort Caroline, a French stronghold.  Model is large enough to roam through.  Also provided is an interesting visitors center.  A must-see for those interested in Jacksonville's colonial & Native American past. 

• JACKSONVILLE BEACH -- SEE "BEACHES"

• JACKSONVILLE FIRE MUSEUM -- Overview of a wonderful place for info about Jacksonville's firefighting history.   Also offers many interesting firefighting artifacts.  Is housed in a historic fire station.  Overview is from a Florida Times-Union article entitled "Museum's Bells and Whistles Part of Firefighting History," by Alexa Jaworski.  

• JACKSONVILLE FIRE MUSEUM -- Brief overview from Ettractions.
   
• JACKSONVILLE HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION -- Provided by the City of Jacksonville.  Is a fountain of info about the history of buildings & neighborhoods in Duval County (Jax).  Also provides info about cemeteries and archaeological site. Assists people in regard to preservation issues.  Among many other things, the Commission offers an online guide for resources for tracing house & building histories in Jacksonville.  For this guide,  click here. The Commission's website also (1) provides info about the local historic preservation process, (2) describes tax incentives, (3) gives contact info for local historic preservation organizations, (4) provides links to other preservation resources, and (5) lists many local landmarks.

• JACKSONVILLE HISTORICAL CENTER -- Brief info about the Historical Center.  Info is furnished by Online Highways.  The Jacksonville Historical Center offers interesting, attractive displays for local history.  The Center is located on the South Bank Riverwalk.  It is operated by the Jacksonville Historical Society. 

• JACKSONVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- The River City's largest historical organization.  Operates an outstanding local history archives, with heaps of info & pictures.  (The Archives is located at Jacksonville University.)  Among many other achievements, the Historical Society has preserved two historic showcases, the Merrill House & the Old St. Andrews Episcopal Church.  

• JACKSONVILLE HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Merrill House moves: Historic structure soon to be museum," by Sandy Strickland
   
• JACKSONVILLE HISTORY MAGAZINE -- Website for the ambitious publication Jacksonville History Magazine.  Lots of info can be found at this site.  It focuses the history of everyday life, such as personal recollections & reminisces. 

•  JACKSONVILLE MARITIME MUSEUM SOCIETY -- The Society offers a boatload of info about the nautical history of the First Coast.  The Society's museum is located on Jacksonville's Southbank Riverwalk.  It features a variety of remarkable exhibits. 

• JACKSONVILLE MARITIME MUSEUM SOCIETY -- Financial News & Daily Record article entitled "Museum Preserving Local Maritime History," by Patti Connor.

• JACKSONVILLE MAGAZINE -- Archives page for Jacksonville Magazine.  This remarkable publication offers historical info in some of its articles.  Back issues of the publication can be checked on its archives web page, and back issues can then be ordered from Jacksonville Magazine.  NOTE:  The Florida Collection at the Main Public Library may also offer back issues of the magazine.

• JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF WAR AND HISTORY -- Homepage for the Jacksonville Museum of War and History, which is projected to open in 2005.  According to museum's website, "The museum was founded by a group of us talking about the need for a museum that honors the people behind the war. Many times when soldiers die, they become a headline in a newspaper then nothing more is said. We want the museum to be on a personal level..."  The museum will provide information "about the different wars."

• JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF WAR AND HISTORY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Supporters try to raise money for war museum," by Patti Levine-Brown.  Tells about efforts to establish the Jacksonville Museum of War and History.
   
• JACKSONVILLE MUSEUM OF WAR AND HISTORY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "War museum needs home, funds: Organizers trying to raise $10 million," by Shawna Sundin.  Tells about the Museum of War and History.

• MANDARIN MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Homepage for a most valuable resource: the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society.  A great group for info about Mandarin's yesteryears.

• MANDARIN MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Web page about the Mandarin Museum & Historical Society.  From "The Jones Family in Mandarin."

• MANDARIN MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Group probes area's history: Society seeks descendants," by Dan Scanlan.  Tells about the Mandarin Museum and Historical Society.

• MANDARIN MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "History is restored: Restoration on Jones farmhouse done," by Dan Scanlan.  Tells about the Walter Jones Historical Park, located in Mandarin.

• MANDARIN MUSEUM & HISTORICAL SOCIETY -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Restoring history: Mandarin house provides a look back," by Dan Scanlan.  Provides info about the Walter Jones Historic Park.
   
• MURRAY HILL PRESERVATION SOCIETY -- Info about an energetic group on the Westside.  From a Jacksonville Business Journal story entitled "Murray Hill Preservation Adds 150 New Members."  NOTE:  When you get to the webpage, go about 1/2 way down.

• MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY -- The MOSH owns some local history materials, including old Jacksonville postcards.  In addition, its homepage gives info about the "Currents of Time" exhibit, a permanent MOSH feature.  Is an amazing trip through 12,000 years of Jax history.  Ranks as Florida's most extensive exhibition of regional history. According to the MOSH, "Come face-to-face with the ancient Timucua Indians... run for your life in the Great Fire... fly through a World War 2 Navy hangar... visit a '50s house and much, much more!"  The MOSH website also tells about the fascinating Maple Leaf display.  This exhibit reveals the story of a Civil War steamship that was lost & found in the St. Johns River.  It includes artifacts & remains from the vessel.  Another MOSH exhibit traces the history of the Jacksonville Jaguars pro football team.  

• MUSEUM OF SCIENCE & HISTORY (MOSH) -- Info about the "Currents of Time" exhibit at the MOSH.  From a Florida Times-Union article entitled "Currents of Time: Exhibit Tells Tale of Jacksonville," by Bob Phelps.  

• MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN HISTORY -- Florida Times-Union article from March, 2001, entitled "For Civil War Research, Try Southern History Museum," by Charlie Dixon.  Located in Avondale, the Museum offers an impressive Civil War library that brims with info for historians & genealogists.  The Museum's artifacts range from Stonewall Jackson's shoulder epaulets to Abraham Lincoln's coffin flags. 

• ORTEGA HISTORIC PRESERVATION SOCIETY -- A group that's vital to the preservation of its historic neighborhood.  Contact info provided by the City of Jacksonville.

• RITZ THEATRE AND LAVILLA MUSEUM -- Homepage for the Ritz Theatre & LaVilla Museum, an outstanding African American cultural center.  It also serves as an essential source of information about the history of the local African American community.  Contact info furnished by the City of Jacksonville.  NOTE: When you get to the City of Jacksonville homepage, go to the search box in the upper right-hand corner of the screen.  Type in the words "Ritz Theater La Villa Museum."  The link to the museum's homepage will appear.

• RITZ THEATRE & LaVILLA MUSEUM  -- Contact info furnished by the FlaMuseums.org.

• RITZ THEATRE & LAVILLA MUSEUM -- Florida Times-Union article entitled "Relighting the Ritz," by Bob Phelps. Tells about the opening of the Ritz Theater & LaVilla Museum in March, 1999.  

• RITZ THEATER & LAVILLA MUSEUM -- An article & animated info graphics in regard to the restoration of the Ritz Theatre.  Also provided is an interactive map of LaVilla.  The map shows the locations of old African American sites.  From the "Jacksonville Learning Center."  

• RIVERSIDE AVONDALE PRESERVATION, INC. (RAP) -- Homepage for Riverside Avondale Preservation, Inc (RAP), a vital source of info for its neighborhoods.  Among many other things, the RAP website reveals the history of Riverside & Avondale. It also shows the types of architecture seen in these two neighborhoods.  In addition, the website provides preservation resources, as well as current neighborhood preservation news.  There is even a "Mystery Photo of the Week."  Very nicely done!