Cedar Key Museum State Park

Officially opened in 1962, Cedar Key Museum State Park preserves the heritage of Cedar Key, one of the thriving port cities and railway stops of the Gulf Coast in the 19th century. The centerpiece of the park is its museum, with exhibits portraying the area's history and an extensive collection of seashells and Indian artifacts gathered by St. Clair Whitman, the founder of the first museum established in Cedar Key.

In fact, Whitman's own home was moved onto the property here in 1991 and furnished to resemble how it would have appeared in the 1920s. A brick Memory Walk, installed in 2001, connects the museum to the restored house.

Another item of interest at Cedar Key Museum State Park is the John Muir Historic Marker. It commemorates the historic botanical walk that the naturalist and Sierra Club founder took from Kentucky to Florida in 1867.

Apart from the manmade structures, there is a short nature trail where wildlife, birds, and native vegetation can be seen. Gray squirrels, mockingbirds, blue jays, woodpeckers, doves, and green tree frogs are just a few of the permanent residents of the grounds here.

Cedar Key Museum State Park is located at 12231 Southwest 166th Court, Cedar Key, Florida 32625-6200. Museum hours are from 10am to 5pm on Thursday through Monday; closed on Christmas Day. The admission fee is $2 per person is charged, with children aged 5 and under free of charge.