Tallahassee, Florida is full of great things to do and one of the best places to start exploring is to enjoy the historic landmarks that bring Tallahassee’s history to present day. It’s a great opportunity for newbies to the city to start getting to know their new home and understand more about how Tallahassee became the great city it did.
A great place to start is the Florida Governor’s Mansion on North Adams Street or the Knott House Museum build back in 1843. When you’re ready to start getting to know Tallahassee and want to take the family to some truly exciting destinations around the city, check out these top five historic landmarks that will whisk you away to another era.
The Knott House Museum – 301 East Park Avenue
Head over to East Park Avenue for your first stop around Tallahassee at The Knott House Museum. It’s open to the public from Wednesday through Saturday with guided tours available to show you around this historic locale. This beautiful museum was built back in 1843 by George Proctor, a free black builder, before becoming the home of attorney Thomas Hagner and his new wife Catherine Gamble.
It ended up being used as a headquarters temporarily after the Civil War when Union Brigadier General Edward M. McCooked was in the city. He declared the Emancipation Proclamation to take place later in 1865 in which freed all of those enslaved in Tallahassee.
By 1883, a local physician bought the house where he’d setup shop. It was then sold to the Knott family in 1928 which meant the large columns in the front were added and eventually the owner’s wife started adding her poems to the Victorian style furnishings of the home. Today, you can visit the house now owned by the Historic Tallahassee Preservation Board which was turned into a museum in 1985. Check it out at 1, 2 or 3pm on Weds-Fri or 10am, 11am, 12, 1, 2, or 3pm on Saturdays.
Meginnis-Monroe House – 125 N. Gladsden Street
Located between Call Street and Park Avenue, you can check out the Meginnis-Monroe House Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10am-5pm. It costs only $1 to get a glimpse of this beauty from 1952. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This beautiful property contains the LeMoyne Art Gallery featuring art from LeMoyne, displays by local artists, and a garden with an old-fashioned gazebo. Check out classical music with visual arts all year and social events like the Christmas holiday season spectacular.
The Florida Governor’s Mansion – 700 North Adams Street
You’ll learn about the history of the six state rooms which includes the Manatee Sculpture Courtyard and you’ll get to take pictures as much as you’d like. The Mansion is just ten blocks north of the state capitol and is the home of the governor and first family of Florida. You’ll love the Greek Revival style architecture and the cool features like the screened swimming pool and greenhouse.
Mission San Luis – 2100 West Tennessee Street
You’ll want to make time for a visit to Mission San Luis. You’ll be transported back to the 1700s to a time when the Spanish and the Apalachee Indians came together. This stop is important because it was a village for the Spaniard. Visit this incredibly historic site for just $5 on Tuesday through Sundays from 10am-4pm.
Florida Capitol
You’ll find five stories of offices of the governor, cabinet members and legislative officers, a Welcome Center, a Chapel, a rotunda with the Great Seal of the State of Florida, a Hall of Fame, an observation deck, and more.
Don’t miss these top five historic landmarks found around the great city of Tallahassee.
