John Gorrie State Museum

John Gorrie State Museum is located on Sixth Street in Apalachicola, one block off U.S. 319-98. The visitor center is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The center is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

A young physician named John Gorrie moved to Apalachicola in the early 1800s when it was a prominent port of trade, commerce, and shipping in Florida. Gorrie served as postmaster, city treasurer, town councilman, and bank director. Concern for his yellow fever patients motivated Gorrie to invent a method for cooling their rooms. He became a pioneer in the field of air conditioning and refrigeration by inventing a machine that made ice, and received the first U.S. Patent for mechanical refrigeration in 1851. A replica of Gorrie's ice machine, built from the specifications of his 1851 patent, is on display in the museum.

Other interpretive exhibits are also on display at the museum. There is a picnic area on the grounds and alcohol is prohibited from being consumed on the premises. Groups and special events can be hosted at the museum. Reservations should be made in advance for a guided tour of the museum. Typically a guide is not available.