The Jacksonville Historical Society

The Merrill House Restoration

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View of the house in 1999 at original site on Lafayette St.,
showing its deplorable condition.

Ransacked by vandals and ravaged by time,
the house was barely standing.

To prevent the loss of this significant landmark building,
the Jacksonville Historical Society and the City of
Jacksonville undertook the daunting task of moving the
building to a new site a few blocks away on Randolph Blvd.,
next to JHS's headquarters at Old St. Andrew's.

Moved to new site next to Old St. Andrews May, 2000

Wow! Much work to do!

Due to construction of the City's new Baseball Park, the house had
to be moved again. On March 7, 2002, the second
Merrill House move started at dawn.

March 7, 2002 - Side view of the Merrill House on the way to its new (3rd) site.

March 7, 2002 - Merrill House crossing Duval Street.

March 27, 2002 - JHS Board standing at rear of theMerrill House at its new location.

This diagram shows the new location of the Merrill House, with the relocated Duval Street on its north side. It also shows the brick walkway that runs between Merrill House and Old St. Andrews.

The Merrill House on its new site, August, 2002.

Restoration details.

Restoration progress August, 2002

Rebirth of the Merrill House at 116 years old!

Beautifully sited at its new location, the Merrill House
is getting ready for the next 100 years.

Beautiful antique furniture is being donated for the house.

Fine craftsmanship has gone into recreating details such
as this rear porch post and railing.

117-year-old floor joists are revealed as flooring is restored.

Floor restoration progress.

Beautiful hardwood flooring .

Floor detail.

Flooring detail.

Ornate porch brackets are meticulously reconstructed.

All lit up for Christmas, the Merrill House is a work of art in progress.
Restoration is scheduled for completion in 2005.

The James E. Merrill House nearing completion in 2005

Showing location next to Old St. Andrews

Wow!

Beautiful floors and mantels

Wow!

Great work!

The James E. Merrill House Restored

These photos show details of the Merrill House in its final stages of restoration.
This architectural gem is next to Old St. Andrews (the headquarters
of the Jacksonville Historical Society). It is located on Randolph Boulevard,
adjacent to Alltel Stadium, the Veteran's Memorial Arena, and
the city's new baseball stadium.

Merrill House Furnishings Take Visitors Back to the Turn of the Century

Jacksonville Historical Society still seeking 19th Century furnishings

Visitors at the Merrill House grand opening
marvel at the authentic historic decor.

A staggering array of furnishings has been given to the Jacksonville Historical Society for use in the James E. Merrill House, with its completed restoration unveiled on December 28, 2005. Among the hundreds of donated items are a period globe, Victorian sofas, marble top dressers, framed paintings, a baby carriage, and a hand-painted desk.

Although the house is now complete, the society continues to receive more items which will add to this amazing collection of turn-of-the-century furnishings. Roxie Merrill, who has been active in obtaining acquisitions for the house, says “People have been so generous and provided us with wonderful antique furnishings.”

The house depicts a period approximately six months after the Great Fire of 1901.

Merrill House Chair Jerry Spinks has done a yeoman job in leading the restoration of the house. It has been an extraordianry accomplishment. The Merrill House now certainly ranks as one of the top house museum restorations in Florida.

The house’s restored exterior now looks the same as it did in the after its 1880’s remodeling to the East Lake Victorian style. The society’s three-year-long restoration effort is now the pride of the Jacksonville preservation community..